Southern Minnesota SPORTSMAN'S CLUB

Rochester, Minnesota

Home About The Club
How To Find Us
Firearms Training
Civillian Markmanship Program

Activity Calendars
 Rifle/Pistol Calendar
 Trap Club Calendar

Membership
Hours of Operation
Safety & Range Rules
Club News Letter
Photo Gallery
Trap Range
25 & 50 Yard Range
100 & 200 Yard Range
Archery Range

Links of Interest

Safety & Range Rules

RANGE RULES

Southern Minnesota Sportsman's Club
Range Rules
Updated July 4, 2005

The following are not suggestions, helpful hints, or friendly reminders.  They are RULES; rules intended to provide a safe and relaxed environment for all shooters.  These rules are not about an individual's convenience.  They are about courtesy toward other shooters, and being a good neighbor to nearby property owners.  They are about keeping your shooting privileges.

PARKING

  •  Parking is in the parking lot, not in front of the garage doors or areas marked "NO PARKING".

CHECK-IN

  • Show your membership card at the house before going down to the ranges.

EYE and EAR PROTECTION

  • All shooters and bystanders are required to use eye and ear protection on the ranges.

AUTHORIZED TARGETS

  • Do not shoot at the wildlife.
  • You may shoot only at paper targets properly fastened to wood backers.
  • Targets must be fastened to wood backers with staples or tape.  No tacks, nails, or anything else that could damage mower tires.
  • Only bowling pins and falling plates are allowed on the Bowling Pin
  • Range, and only on top of the steel tables.  No bottles, cans, jugs, boxes, etc.

CONTROLLED FIRE

  • All shots must be aimed at the targets.  No shooting from the hip, over the head, etc.
  • Unless you are on the Bowling Pin Range or participating in an organized event, fire is restricted to three-round bursts (max.).

SPEAKING OF THE BOWLING PIN RANGE...

  • Shotguns, revolvers, semi-auto pistols, and rim fire rifles only.  No center fire rifles or single shot pistols.  (High velocity calibers damage the tables.)
  • Shotguns must use #4 buckshot or larger, lead only.  (Smaller shot and steel shot will bounce back at you.)  No slugs.
  • Shoot only from 25 to 33 feet in front of the steel tables to reduce stray shots. (Not back from under the canopy.)
  • Eye protection is required.

A FIREARM IS "clear" ONLY WHEN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE MET:

  • Detachable magazines are removed or fixed magazine is empty.
  • Action is open.
  • Chamber has been visually inspected and is empty.

RANGE COMMANDS

  • "The line is hot!"
    • Announce only when everyone has returned from checking targets and is behind the firing line in your shooting lane. (A shooting lane is the space between two rows of tires.)
    • Indicates it is safe to load and commence fire.
    • Remember to put on your ear protection.
  • "Cease Fire!"
    • Anyone has the authority and responsibility to call a "cease fire" when an unsafe condition is detected.
    • Stop shooting immediately.
    • Clear and bench your firearm until the unsafe condition has passed and the line is once again declared "hot".
  • "Clear to check targets!"
    • Announce only when everyone has properly cleared their firearms and all firearms are benched, pointing down-range.
    • Indicates it is safe to move down-range to check targets.
    • Do not touch your firearm, or anything else, on or near the shooting benches while anyone is down-range.

RANGE PROCEDURE

  • Uncase your firearm and take it to the firing line only when the line is "hot". (Firearms are not to be handled at the firing line when the line is "clear to check targets".)
  • If the line is "clear to check targets" when you approach the range, leave your firearm in the case and use the opportunity to post your target.
  • You may clean, adjust, or repair your firearm at the shooting benches only when the line is "hot". If you can't keep your firearm pointed down-range to perform these tasks, clear it and move it to the ledge behind the shooting benches.
  • When you are ready to leave the range, clear your firearm and remove it from the firing line only when the line is "hot". Ask the other shooters to delay the "clear" command until you have removed your firearm from the firing line.

BASIC FIREARM SAFETY

  • When handling any firearm, treat it as if it were loaded.
  • Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Never point a firearm in the direction of anything you do not want to destroy.
  • Keep your firearm unloaded until you are ready to shoot. Do not move to a different firing point with a loaded firearm.
  • Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire.

KIDS

  • Children must be supervised.
  • Teach them safety and respect by setting a good example.
  • If they're too young to be left unattended at home, they're too young to be left unattended at the range. You can't attend to young children when you are trying to shoot. Distractions while handling a firearm are dangerous.

PETS

  • Pets are welcome, but must be controlled and on a leash.
  • Pet owners are required to clean up after their animals.

ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS

  • No alcohol allowed on the ranges. Do not come to the range on the same day you have been drinking.
  • No smoking at a bench where black powder is being used.
  • Firearms must be in good working order and handled properly.

CLEAN UP

  • Unless you brought someone to clean up after you, you'll have to clean up after yourself.
  • Take down your targets.
  • Pick up your brass.
  • Throw away any trash.

SMSC grounds are private property.
Violators of range rules will be asked to leave, and must appear before the club board of directors before being allowed to shoot again. In flagrant safety breaches they may loose their membership.
Club members are responsible for the conduct of their guests.
 

Obey the rules.  Take charge, and enforce the rules.
If you see something that needs attention, make a difference.