These rules are based on common sense guidelines laid out by the National Rifle Association and have been conceived to protect all users of our range, together with adjacent land users. Serious infringements caused through negligence will be reported to the Secretary and disciplinary action may result. This information is essential reading for all members, who are expected to be familiar with its content. An equivalent Word document can be downloaded here.

The Range Officer (RCO) is in sole charge of everything that happens on the range!

Common Safety Rules - The 'Core Four'

  • Always treat a firearm as if it were loaded until you have personally certified it to be clear and never trust another person’s word that it is clear. Always ensure it is clear before handing it to anyone else.
  • Shooters shall only engage targets directly in front of their firing point. Cross shooting will not be permitted.
  • Do not place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  • Never point a firearm at anyone, even in jest

Each member has a primary responsibility to ensure that their firearm(s) are used in a safe and responsible manner. In particular, they must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that:

Before using the range they have a valid membership card with them and have completed the attendance log, are fully conversant with the basis upon which the ranges shall be used and have made themselves personally known to the duty Range Control Officer (RCO) and shown the RCO their membership card.

They have satisfied themselves that their ammunition is safe for the firearm(s) for which it is intended and cannot be “mixed up” with any designated for use in other firearms. If hand loaded ammunition is brought to the range, it shall be assembled in strict accordance with the recommendations of propellant/powder manufacturer and the maximum recommended loads shall not be exceeded under any circumstances. The NRA reloading declaration should have been submitted and recorded on the back of the membership card.  

  1. Ammunition shall not be used that exceeds the velocity, or muzzle energy permitted by the range safety certificate. Certificates are displayed at the back of the range and also on the noticeboard. Shooters may be asked to submit a sample of their ammunition for a chronograph test to measure and record the velocity at the request of the RCO. 
  2. Handling firearms on the firing points whether covered or not is strictly prohibited when anyone has called STOP, STOP, STOP, when anyone is forward of the firing positions, or when asked not to do so by the RCO. 
  3. Firearms will be kept covered behind the firing line until the RCO gives permission to bring the firearm to the firing point. 
  4. Firearms will be taken to the firing point covered and pointing forward. 
  5. Firearms will be pointed in a safe direction at all times when on the firing point, whether loaded or unloaded and at all times in between. This means directly at the designated target and parallel with the ground (with the exception of muzzle loading firearms).
  6. No persons may go forward to place, change or remove any target unless permission is received from the RCO. 
  7. Firearms are to be kept in good order for safe and responsible use on the ranges. Members should understand the operation of their firearm, keep it in good repair, and always use the correct ammunition. 
  8. Their firearm is “zeroed” sufficiently to ensure that bullets will fall on the target board, or if not, tell the RCO you need help to correct the problem. 
  9. Before commencing fire, they are completely satisfied that no person is between, or is likely to come, between their firearm and the designated target as far as they can determine. 
  10. Any significant malfunction of their firearm or ammunition shall be notified immediately to the duty RCO and that any instructions subsequently given by the RCO in relation to the problem, are followed. 
  11. All instructions given by the duty Range Control Officer (RCO) shall be immediately followed. In addition to being responsible for their own behaviour, each member has a further duty to ensure that other members or users of the club’s facilities conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner at all times. In particular, they must, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that: 
  12. All guests invited to the range conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the requirements detailed within this document. 
  13. All club members and their guests abide by this statement of key safety responsibilities. Any failure on their part to do so shall be immediately drawn to the attention of the duty RCO. In exceptional circumstances, if the nature of the breach or potential breach is significant, members have a duty to bring shooting to an immediate halt by shouting the command “STOP, STOP, STOP” and then reporting their concerns to the duty RCO. 

For the avoidance of doubt, a RCO is a servant of the club whose role is to organise and supervise the range session in accordance with the club practices, and to provide leadership in the event of a problem occurring. Primary responsibility for safety rest jointly and severally with each member using a KTSC range facility in accordance with this document and cannot be delegated to the RCO. Whilst acting as an RCO members shall not actively engage in the use of firearms. However it is permissible for a RCO to temporarily delegate RCO responsibility to another competent deputy who themselves may not shoot whilst carrying out the RCO role. This ensures there is at least one non-shooting competent person to discharge the RCO duty at all times when the range is operational. Before using the range they have a valid membership card with them and have completed the attendance log, are fully conversant with the basis upon which the ranges shall be used and have made themselves personally known to the duty Range Control Officer (RCO) and shown the RCO their membership card.

In taking up or renewing membership of KTSC each member formally accepts these responsibilities in their entirety. If their meaning is felt to be unclear, members have a further responsibility to ensure that they obtain appropriate clarification from the committee before using any of the club’s range facilities.

P H Fearon, Secretary KTSC

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