1) BERMS: ALL BULLETS THAT ARE NOT STOPPED BY A TARGET MUST DIRECTLY HIT & STOP IN THE BERM (DIRT BACKSTOP)! BULLETS MUST *NOT* HIT THE FLAT GROUND. “BULLET” includes any projectile or shot larger than #7½. Always place targets & fire in such a manner that the bullet will not miss the berm or clip the top of the berm. DO NOT fire in such a manner that bullets might ricochet off your target, what's beyond your target, or the ground. DO NOT shoot at targets resting on the flat ground. DO NOT shoot at targets NEAR the flat ground. You MAY shoot at targets sitting on the berm (dirt backstop).
2) SHOT: The only exception to Rule #1 is when shooting SHOT no larger than #7½ in charges of 1 1/8 oz. or less. Shot #7½ or smaller may be shot down range into the air or into the flat ground. This does NOT include GLASER or MAGSAFE type cartridges where the shot is encapsulated in such manner that it is released only upon impact.
3) AERIAL TARGETS (clay pigeons) may be shot, pursuant to rule #2, ONLY on the following ranges:
a) Hathcock Rifle Range
b)General Purpose Bay
4) SIDE BERMS: Side berms may be used as backstops ONLY on the following ranges:
a)Plinking Bay
b)Jeff Cooper Pistol Bays
5) NO ONE MAY SHOOT WHEN IMPAIRED BY ALCOHOL OR MEDICINES TO ANY EXTENT. Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed by anyone before or while participating in any shooting activity.
6) FIREARM SAFETY: Observe THE Four Basic Rules (& #5 too):
1.- Treat all guns as if they are loaded.
2.- Never point a gun at anything you would not want destroyed.
3.- Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target.
4.- Be sure of your target & what’s behind it.
5.- Be aware (security conscious) of your surroundings & who is there.
7) DOWN RANGE: No one may be down range of the FIRING LINE when any firing is in progress. Down range safety system will be used at all times. Anyone calling cease fire for the purpose of checking targets or any other reason will switch the system to red strobe until everyone is safely back behind the firing line. Only then can the person initiating the cease fire allow the range to go hot (green light) No one will LOAD, HANDLE or FIRE arms while anyone is down range of the FIRING LINE and all guns will be unloaded and cleared.
8) CEASE FIRE: Anyone observing someone downrange, or any other safety problem, when firing is occurring must IMMEDIATELY shout “CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE”. Everyone MUST stop firing & make their gun safe whenever they hear the command, “CEASE FIRE”.
9) EYE & EAR protection MUST be worn by ALL shooters & spectators.
10) NO TRACER AMMUNITION. No metallic cartridges larger in case capacity or diameter than the .50 BMG may be used except with permission of Executive committee. This does not include muzzle loading firearms
11) GATE: Leave the gate the way you found it when you enter or leave the range. If the gate is open, but the range is empty, contact the CRO or any Executive Member to let them know. You are responsible for anyone who enters through the gate except other members. Do not open the gate for anyone. All members MUST enter or exit using their own access card or code. Failure to do so will cause an access violation. (IF you don’t swipe your card on an open gate and the gate gets closed you will NOT be able to get out or back in) If you have a guest that needs to enter or exit, first you proceed through the gate, and your guest must proceed immediately behind you. DO NOT allow anyone else to follow you in or out. Do not attempt to force the gate open by hand. You are responsible for any damage you cause to the gate. If the gate is locked in the open position because there is a match or other event in progress you are still REQUIRED to swipe your card or enter your code when entering or leaving the club. Members are prohibited from tampering with the gate, to include disassembly for the purpose of entering or exiting the range. You MUST adhere strictly to the gate procedures.
12) No VEHICLES downrange of the firing line unless authorized by a range officer or match director. You may drive to the Hathcock rifle range target areas as long as you stay on the designated road. Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 15 MPH when driving anywhere on the range.
13) CLUB EQUIPMENT: Members will bring their own approved targets and use designated target stands, or furnish their own. These MUST be completely cleared BEFORE the member leaves. If you do not bring an approved target stand, you are not prepared to shoot. DO NOT search the range for sticks or lumber to hold targets. Cardboard and wood in the shed may be used. Other Club equipment may be used ONLY with the permission of the Match Directors.
14) LITTER: Clean up your area. Remove all targets & stands you setup. Patches, spent cartridge cases, soft drink bottles or cans, and any other trash you brought to the range must be placed in trash receptacles. If you brought it with you – clean it up! If it was there when you got there – clean it up! NOTE: .22 rimfire brass does not need to be picked up, BUT it must be swept off of all concrete pads.
15) TARGETS: You may shoot at paper, cardboard, fruit, vegetable, or clay targets on all ranges except the RIMFIRE bay (See Rule #1). Metal or plastic cans/bottles of one (1) gallon size or smaller & wooden blocks, no more than four (4) inches on a side or smaller may be used at the PLINKING & JEFF COOPER BAYS ONLY. Place these on the berm, or on a target stand that allows rounds to impact the berm. (Plastic barrels are not to be used as target stands.) ALL debris (except clay) MUST be removed. Metal disc or metal silhouette targets must be INDIVIDUALLY pre-approved by the CRO. Steel pistol type targets such those used for the USPSA, IDPA, SASS, and Steel Challenge disciplines such as round discs, square plates, poppers, or silhouettes mounted on an elevated post are to be positioned no more than three (3) yards from the berm. Various Plinking type steel swinging targets are to be placed on the berm or on an appropriate stand. Steel targets must be shot at from at least 12 yards away. In NO case will ANY target be placed in a manner where the bullet will not impact in the berm. *NO EXPLODING TARGETS PERMITTED*
16) TIMES: Members & their guests may shoot any day of the year, from 9 AM until 1 hour after legal sunset or 9 PM, whichever is earlier. NO shooting may occur before or after these times without permission of the executive committee.
17) MEMBERS: The range is for the use of members & their guests only. MCRC membership includes all adults living in one household. ONLY members who have received the RANGE SAFETY BRIEFING may receive and use a gate access card and may bring and supervise guests.
18) IDENTITY: While using the range, all members must possess a valid MCRC membership card & present this to any other member upon demand. All members must display their membership card in an easily visible location while on the range, unless they are participating in a sanctioned match. If any person does not comply with a request to identify themselves, for any reason, please report this immediately to the club President, including the VEHICLE LICENSE TAG, of the person for further investigation. At any time you may be asked to confirm your identity with current photo identification by a member of the executive committee.
19) GUESTS:Members may bring a maximum of 4 guests to use the range. More may be brought only with the specific permission of the Executive Committee. Members are responsible for, & must DIRECTLY supervise, the use of the range by their guests.
20) GOLDEN RULE: Be courteous & considerate of others while using the range.
21) TRAINING CLASSES: Any member using the Mid Carolina Rifle Club facilities for the conduct of firearms training classes (not informally for family or friends) MUST obtain clearance from the club President at least ten days PRIOR to conducting such classes. Such members must provide their own targets & frames.
22) SPECIFIC RANGE RULES for different shooting areas may be adopted by the Executive Committee. Such SPECIFIC RANGE rules will be published in the newsletter & posted on the website & posted on the applicable ranges & will have the same force & effect as these GENERAL RANGE rules. SPECIFIC RANGE rules TAKE PRECEDENCE over these GENERAL RANGE rules.
23) REPORTING VIOLATIONS: ANY MEMBER, observing a violation of ANY range rule MUST:
a)Kindly notify the offender of the violation
b)Report the violation including VEHICLE LICENSE TAG, NAME, or MEMBER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER of offender to a club officer.
24) VIOLATION of ANY range rule may subject offenders to any of the following penalties at the discretion of the club PRESIDENT:
1.Immediate dismissal with no refund of dues paid or credits.
2.Suspension from the club.
Any violation of a range rule will cause the offender to be sent home from the range for the day by a member of the Executive Committee. Further violation will subject offenders to the disciplinary actions noted above.
Any penalty decision of the President may be appealed by any member of the Executive Committee to the DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee is made up of all club officers, match directors, and liaisons. All disciplinary actions will be handled in accordance with the club bylaws.
25) FULL AUTO FIRING (hand held) may only be done in the General Purpose Bay & the Plinking Bay. Full auto firing from a tripod or bipod may be done on the Hathcock Rifle Range.
26) JUNIORS: All children, under the age of 18, must have a permission slip from their parents while shooting at the range.
Range Rules
