Part 3: Range Operation

Practicing personal safety

Wear eye and ear protection before entering and while on the range at all times
Your eyes need protection from ejected cartridge casings and any firearm malfunction

Honor the path for range entrance and exit using double door noise isolation plan
Separate entrance and exit doors prevent cross traffic and therefore ensure there is always a closed door noise barrier
Also, make sure that the door closes behind you before opening the next

All gun handling is done in the shooting booth beginning with opening the gun case
Any gun set down in the booth must be empty, open for inspection and pointing directly down range
Do not move a gun from one booth to the another while outside of its case or holster
When your session is completed, unloading and casing firearms is required to be done in the shooting booth

Targets should be set at the each shooter's eye level to control the bullet path directly into the backstop and not the ceiling or the floor
The shooter should also center the shooting path within the lane to avoid the bullet crossing lanes or hitting side walls
Do not go forward of the firing line to retrieve dropped items. Some provisions may be made for reaching a dropped item with a broom, otherwise a cease fire would be required for the range office to retrieve your item

Range is hot - Active range with individuals engaged in live fire
Range is cold - Live fire and gun handling is prohibited with shooters required to have set down firearms in cleared condition, and have stepped out of the booth until further instructions
Cease fire - Immediately stop shooting, clear your firearm, set it down pointed directly down range, exit the booth and wait for further instructions
Commence firing, bench your gun, load - There are other commands used such as these that the shooter should study
Can anyone call a cease fire - Yes, in an emergency! You can also ask the range officer to call a cease fire for a non-emergency need

A range owner may limit the type of ammunition the shooter may use to avoid or limit range wear and tear
The range may also limit the type of guns used such as fully automatic
A firearm muzzle should be placed near the shooting line but not beyond for sound and safety reasons

As a courtesy, empty brass should be removed from around the shooting booth
Ranges generally allow the shooter to save their empty brass if desired
Upon exit, wash your face and hands to remove shooting contaminants. Contaminants are airborne, so they will be in your hair and on clothing too

Improperly set targets allow bullets to travel into the floor or ceiling instead of the backstop