(SOP)
Range Operations
Approved & Adopted- 01 May 2018
PREAMBLE Red River Rifle and Pistol Club ( here to for known as The Club) has set forth these Standard Operating Procedures to be known and accepted by all those who use these facilities located at 2079 Fairview Rd., Burkburnett, Texas Wichita County. The club is operated by its officers which make up the Executive Board for the purpose of providing a facility where its members and any other users authorized by The Club to participate in the shooting of firearms in a private and friendly atmosphere. In order to conduct these activities in a safe manner, shooters and any other authorized users must posses a reasonable knowledge of the shooting disciplines in which they are involved, the operation of the firearms they are using and the safety rules that apply, including the common safety practices and procedures that apply at any range.
GENERAL RULES Vandalism at the range will not be tolerated and will be handled with potential serious consequences. Range equipment such as benches, stands, chairs, portable bathrooms, target shacks, match equipment, electrical supply or any other property belonging to The Club cannot be removed. Range equipment will not be altered in any fashion without prior approval. All members and their guests are responsible for following all Federal, State and Local Laws while using the range facilities. Anyone not legally allowed to own, posses or use a firearm will not be allowed to do so on the Range. The Gate will remain locked at all times (even while you are on the Range) for security purposes. The gate may be left open for public matches or Range repair under the supervision of a Club Staff member. All members will:-possess and visibly wear their current membership badge -be allowed up to 4 guests per visit (with only 3 allowed on the firing line at a time) -all guests, upon request, will identify their ‘member’ host
SHOOTING HOURS The range is only open during official daylight hours. No night shooting is permitted unless during an approved Range Safety Officer (RSO) supervised event.
FIRE SAFETY AND FIRE RESPONSE In the event of a fire, CALL 911 immediately. Observe all Wichita County burn ordinances and burn bans. The range will have at least 1 fire extinguisher on hand and mounted in a central location.
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Eye protection is required on all ranges at all times. Ear protection is required at all times on the firing line or within 20 feet of any live fire event. This rule applies to non-shooters as well as to shooters. Acceptable eye protection includes any shooting glasses, goggles or eyeglasses preferably with shatterproof lenses.
SAFETY PLAN The range will have a First Aid Kit on hand at All Times. First Aid Kits will be identified by The Club Staff.
IMMEDIATE INJURY/EMERGENCY RESPONSE Range Safety Officer or Range Officer will: -Call an immediate cease-fire on the range. -Ensure that all firearms are unloaded and clear with all actions open. -Assess nature. -If necessary –CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY. -Provide immediate first aid within your capabilities to injured person(s)
Absent of any Range officers or Club staff, any responsible person can take charge and will: -coordinate the securing of the scene and the injured person(s). -assign a person to meet EMS and or Sheriff at the front gate and escort them to the scene. -assign someone to document all proceedings. -assign someone to provide information to EMS: -location address- 2079 Fairview Rd. Burkburnett, TX. Wichita County. -number of people injured. -condition of injured. -first aid provide. answer any questions. -wait for EMS to hang up. If no Range officers or staff are present, notify one as soon as possible and inform them of the incident.
SAFETY RULES & REGULATIONS The handling of any firearms after consuming alcohol and or drugs is strictly prohibited on The Club property. There will be no exceptions. No alcohol or illegal drugs permitted on Club property at any time. Always point muzzle of all firearms in a safe direction. Always keep your finger off of trigger until ready to shoot. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. All firearms must be kept at a low ready position when preparing to fire and never pointing in the air. Always wear eye protection while on ant live firing range. A “Cease Fire” may be called by anyone on any range at any time for any reason thought to be UN-SAFE. All shooters must be sure of their target and what is beyond. All bullets must impact the bullet trap (berms). No ground level targets, cross firing or ricochets are allowed. All shooters must make every effort to ensure all bullets fired remain within the range. All shooters will never load or fire a firearm if there is any doubt of its ability to operate safely and reliably. All shooters will never attempt to load or fire any firearms unless they are familiar with their operation. A loaded firearm will never be left unattended. All shooters will be sure that their firearms and ammunition are compatible. All shooters will pick up all trash when finished shooting and dispose of them in the proper receptacles. All shooters will take all unfired ammo home. Do not dispose of any unfired ammo on The Club property. No smoking while actively shooting on any range. Any violation of the Range Safety Rules or Range Regulations may result in disciplinary action as determined by the Red River Rifle and Pistol Club Bylaws.
RANGE CONTROL “Live Range” is a range in which organized or informal shooting activities are either occurring or about to begin. The “firing Line”: is the area of the range from which shooting takes place. A “Hot Range” is a range in which shooting activities are underway. A “Cold Range” is a range where a ceasefire has been declared and where all firearms are unloaded, with actions open. All shooters must agree that the firing line is active “HOT”, and that downrange is clear before handling any firearms, NO EXCEPTIONS. The clearing of the downrange is done visually where possible, but must be cleared around all obstacles. Like wise, all shooters must agree the firing line is inactive “COLD”: all firearms will have their magazines removed, actions open, bolts removed or open, slides locked back, cylinders open, and firearms made safe on the bench or racked before going downrange. Do not depend on other people’s implied agreement. All shooters will verbally acknowledge that the line is cold. Some shooters may not notice that you want to go down range or may not hear you. Remember they are wearing hearing protection.
RANGE COLD Absolutely no handling of firearms is allowed at this time. Sound cold range siren and make sure all shooters verbally acknowledge that the range is safe by clearly stating, “Range is cold”. If just arriving at the range during a “Range Cold” period only encased firearms can be brought to the range and must stay encased until the range is declared “hot”. Targets, ammo, loading magazines and other materials can be handled during range cold periods behind the firing line. Any shooter possessing a LTC must have their personal firearm holstered in an approved manner as mandated by the state of Texas.
RANGE HOT All firearms must remain unloaded, lying on the shooting position with their magazines out, bolts open, slides locked back, cylinders clear and open and personnel must be behind the firing line. All shooters must verify that all personnel are behind the firing line and verbally acknowledge their concurrence to go “range hot” by clearly stating, “Range is Hot” to all parties on the firing line.
LEGAL TARGETS FOR THE RANGES Range target holders and stands are provided. Targets can only be placed on the target frames provided and inside the shooting frame. No shooting cross range at other targets, only targets directly in front of your line of fire. the target holder must keep the target in-line with your gun so that after the bullet passes through the target it will hit the bullet trap (berm). No ground targets are permitted on the range. Only paper/cardboard, clay or approved metal targets are to be used. No targets are allowed outside the wood area or any part of its supporting structure. All shooters will police/clean “their” target area before leaving the range.
PROHIBITED AMMUNITION AND FIREARMS Tracers, incendiaries or armor-piercing ammunition. All explosive or pyrotechnic devices/targets. Full Auto and Bump Stocks are prohibited
SITE SPECIFIC RANGE RULES The safety of everyone is first and foremost and is the responsibility of everyone. Any unsafe act or safety violation should be corrected immediately. If unable to correct at that time (avoid serious confrontations, or just don’t feel comfortable doing so) get name and/or car description and tag number and call the club president or other officer. Call 911 if situation so requires. Fill out an Incident Report Form located in the bulletin board.
THE FAILURE OF ANY SAFETY RULE, INCLUDING ‘COMMON SENSE’ TO BE LISTED IN THIS MANUAL DOES NOT EXCLUDE IT FROM BEING A GOOD PRACTICE AND BEING REQUIRED ON THIS RANGE. IT SHOULD BE THE GOAL OF EVERY SHOOTER ON THIS RANGE TO NOT ONLY SHOOT SAFELY, BUT TO HELP OTHERS WITH SAFE GUN HANDLING PRACTICES AS WELL.
If anyone is found negligent of any of the guidelines set forth in The Club SOPs: A staff member will be chosen as a “finder of fact” (investigator). The gathered information will be presented to the members present at the meeting and disciplinary action decided at that time.