LESSON 2 FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • When you pick up or receive an air rifle from someone else, the first thing you must do is control the muzzle (point it in a safe direction). • The command LOAD means you can charge (pull bolt handle back) your air rifle and load a pellet in it. • When your air rifle malfunctions (fails to fire), you must keep the muzzle pointed downrange, raise your hand so the Range Officer can see it and wait for instructions from the Range Officer. • Before anyone can go downrange to change targets or for any other purpose; all air rifles must be unloaded, grounded, with CBIs inserted, and checked. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • If you still have a loaded rifle (pellet in barrel) after the Range Officer gives the command STOP; you must remain in position and keep your air rifle muzzle pointed downrange, raise your hand so the Range Officer can see it and then follow the Range Officer’s instructions. • After you pick up or receive an air rifle and have made sure the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction, the second thing that you must do; in order to make sure it is safe, is check the action/bolt to be sure it is open and has a CBI inserted. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • The command STOP means you immediately take your finger off the trigger and do not fire any more shots. • The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle is to open the action, charge air, then insert a pellet. • The most important component of rifle safety is the person holding the rifle. • If you are with someone else who is handling an air rifle (gun) behind the firing line with the action closed, you should ask that person to open the action of the gun immediately. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • When a rifle is grounded, it must be lying on the floor (or bench) with its action open and a CBI inserted. • The proper time to place the index finger on the trigger is after you start to aim at your target. • An air rifle is considered “unloaded” if the action is open, there is no pellet in the barrel and a CBI is inserted. • The only place you can close the bolt/action of your rifle to dry fire it or to load and fire it is on your designated firing point after the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period or gives the command LOAD. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • When you are on the firing line and the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period, you may remove the CBI, close the action and dry fire. • The “Rules for Safe Gun Handling” do not only apply to air rifle shooting and they also apply to other types of guns. • On target ranges, the safest direction to point a gun muzzle is downrange or up towards the ceiling. • No one is authorized to fire a shot until the command START is given, even if the command LOAD has already been given. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • When you are shooting after the commands to LOAD and START have been given, it is not OK to lay a loaded air rifle on your shooting mat (or bench) and step away from the firing line. • Everyone who handles air rifle pellets should wash their hands immediately after they leave the range. • Safety rules are important in being safe with air guns because air rifles are still very powerful. • After you finish firing, you may not put your rifle down without opening the action first regardless if it has just been fired. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety • Once an air rifle is unloaded and checked by a Range Officer, it is still not OK to point it in any direction. • When you finish firing your shots on a target; you should lay your rifle down, and open the action or insert a CBI without the Range Officer telling you to do so. • To dry fire your air rifle, you do not need to charge air in your air rifle. CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Rules • Range Officer: In charge of range, RO must be an adult, adult RO must be present • Firing Point: One for each shooter • Target Holder/Backstop: One for each firing point • Firing Line: No part of the body may touch the firing line or the floor ahead of line • Ready Line: Persons waiting to fire & spectators must remain behind line CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Range Safety Conditions • Line is “Hot”: • Unloaded Rifle: – No one is forward of firing line – Action open – Line is ready for firing – No pellet in barrel • Call to Firing Line: – CBI inserted – OK to move rifle and equipment • Grounded Rifle: to firing line – On floor or bench – Handling rifles may be – Unloaded w/CBI inserted permitted, CBIs remain in • Line is Clear: • Preparation Period: – Rifles are unloaded, – OK to remove CBIs, close bolts grounded and checked and dry-fire or do aiming – No one handles rifles exercises – Charging gas or loading is not authorized CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Basic Range Commands • LOAD – OK to charge gas mechanism – OK to insert pellet – OK to close action – Not OK to shoot • START – OK to begin firing – OK to continue firing – When last shot is fired —open action, insert CBI, ground rifle • STOP – Immediately stop attempting to fire shot (finger off trigger!) – Firing no longer authorized • UNLOAD – Open action and ground rifle – Notify RO if rifle remains loaded – RO must confirm unloaded condition--RO assistance is required to unloaded rifles CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM

LESSON 2: FIREARM SAFETY AND SAFE RANGE OPERATION Safe Loading Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open Action Charge Air Insert Pellet Close Action Place rifle in position and fire shot 6. Open action--repeat CHAPTER 1: CADET SAFETY AND CIVILIAN MARKSMANSHIP PROGRAM