Range Safety

RSO

Standard Rules of Firearms Safety

  1. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
  2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
  3. Always keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use

In addition

  1. Treat every firearm as loaded at all times
  2. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to shoot
  3. Be sure of your target and what is beyond your target
  4. Be sure the firearm is safe to operate
  5. Use only the correct ammunition for the firearm
  6. Anyone can call for a cease fire – see Hot and Cold Range Rules for further details.
  7. If you have any questions, please ask the on-duty RSO for help.

Required Safety Gear

All individuals on the Range, regardless of shooting status, are required to have hearing and eye protection on when the Range is in use and in a hot status.

Eye protection: as a minimum this is a set of glasses that fully covers the eyes. It is strongly recommended that the eye protection meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard. Eye protection meeting this standard is available at no cost from the RSO as a loaner to be used while the individual is on the Range. Loaner eye protection must be returned when signing out of the Range.

Hearing protection: As a minimum this is a set of ear muffs or ear plugs that have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 22 decibels. It is strongly recommended that the hearing protection meet a NRR of 27 decibels or greater. Ear muffs meeting the minimum rating are available at no cost from the RSO as a loaner to be used while the individual is on the Range. Loaner hearing protection must be returned when signing out of the Range.

Hot and Cold Range Rules

Anyone in the Range area may declare a ceasefire for a safety concern. This includes injuries, unsafe behavior, and unexpected objects or wildlife on the Range. When a ceasefire is declared, all shooters MUST drop their magazines, clear their firearm chamber, lock the action open, place the firearm on the bench, and step behind the Red Line. Once a ceasefire has been declared, the Range cannot be made Hot by anyone except the RSO.

When the RSO declares that the Range is “Hot”, the following rules apply

  1. No one can go forward of the front edge of the shooting benches at any time for any purpose
  2. All individuals on the Range must have proper eye and ear protection
  3. Only one person may be shooting at a pistol or rifle bench at a time
  4. A second person may be in the bench area as a coach, assistant, or learning
  5. No more than two people may be in the bench area at a time
  6. Shooters must follow all RSO instructions
  7. Malfunctions still require the muzzle of the firearm to be down Range
  8. Pistols and rifles are unpackaged and packaged at the bench with the muzzles downrange. Rifles can be brought onto the Range empty, chambers open, muzzles up and placed into the rifle racks on the Range Shack outer wall.
  9. Shooters leaving the Range temporarily (and leaving their gun on their bench) will remove the magazine, clear the chamber, and place a chamber flag into the chamber.
  10. Shooters may remove firearms that are clear and safe from the bench

When the RSO declares that the Range is “Cold”, the following rules apply

  1. All shooters must immediately clear and make safe their firearms
    1. Drop the magazine
    2. Clear the chamber
    3. Lock the action open (firearms that can’t lock the action open should use expended brass to hold the bolt open)
    4. Put a chamber flag in the chamber
  2. This is the only time people may go forward of the shooting benches, once the RSO indicates that they can do so
  3. No one may cross the red lines into the shooting benches, whether behind the bench or in front of it
  4. No one may move firearms on or off the bench while the Range is Cold
  5. Shooters must follow all RSO instructions
  6. People may take targets down Range and set them up
  7. The RSO may cross the red line at their discretion

The Red Line

The Red Line is a unique feature at Black Diamond Gun Club. It is used to designate safe zones during Range Operation. When the red strobe light, on top of the Range Shack, that indicates the Range is in use is on, the Red Line rules apply.

  1. If the Range is in a ceasefire status, no one may cross the Red Line into the shooting benches except a designated RSO wearing an orange safety vest or hat that is clearly visible to shooters down Range.
  2. If the Range is in a hot status, all individuals may cross the Red Line into the shooting benches. However, no more than two people can be at one shooting bench.

Range Limits

The right and left limits of the rifle and pistol Ranges are marked by a concrete block wall OR an earthern berm for the right limit of the 100 yard rifle Range and both the right and left limit of the 200 yard rifle Range. In addition, Range features that cannot be shot at are marked in yellow. The upper vertical limit on the rifle Ranges is the berm that is the backstop for the Range. The upper vertical limit for the pistol Range are the bottom of the cross beams.Muzzles may not go outside the right, left, and upper limits.

Targets

Black Diamond Gun Club provides target stands (as well as shooting rests, sandbags, and brass screens) at no cost to the shooter. Targets must fit on the target stand and be made of paper or cardboard. The target can be no more than 24” wide. Targets may not have faces of real people. Anonymous “bad guy” or “hostage” targets are allowed.Shooters may use “clays” as targets, as well. If unsure how to do this, ask the RSO.

Members may use metal targets during Member Only hours, at the discretion of the RSO. The targets must be AR500 or AR550 rated. They must be a completely flat surface. It is strongly recommended that the shooter use frangible ammunition. Minimum distances are as follows:

  • Pistols on pistol Range: 10 yards
  • Pistols with calibers limited to rifle Range: 25 yards
  • Shotgun (buck or bird): 25 yards
  • Shotgun (slug): 50 yards
  • Rifle in 5.56mm or less: 50 yards
  • Rifle greater than 5.56mm: 100 yards

Allowed Firearms and Ammunition

Pistols, rifles, and shotguns are allowed on the Pistol and Rifle Ranges. Only shotguns are allowed on the Trap Range. No firearms are allowed on the Archery Range. The following rules apply:

  • No fully automatic weapons without approval by the Chief RSO and the Board
  • Silencers and Short Barrel Rifles must have appropriate legal approval by the ATF. Shooters are responsible to ensure this is true.
  • No rifles in a caliber greater than .50cal
  • No pistols on the pistol Range in the following calibers
    • .357 Remington Max
    • .44 Magnum
    • .460 S&W
    • .475 Linebaugh
    • .480 Ruger
    • .500 S&W
    • .50 Action Express
    • or any caliber that may cause damage to the pistol backstop as determined by the RSO.
  • Those pistols may be used on the 100 yard rifle Range at the discretion of the RSO.
  • Pistol Caliber Carbines are allowed on the pistol Range
  • No armor piercing or tracer ammunition is allowed. 5.56x45 ammunition referred to as “green tip” (ie M855) is allowed.
  • No pyrotechnic ammunition

Range Safety Officer

When the Ranges are in operation, there will be a Range Safety Officer (RSO) present. If there is no RSO present, the Range cannot operate. The 100 yard Rifle Range and the Pistol Range are treated as a single Range for this purpose. The RSO can be distinguished by an orange safety vest and/or orange safety hat, which will have RSO stenciled on it. Additionally, the RSO will have a Club badge that clearly says they are an RSO.

  • The RSO is in charge of the Range at all times
  • There may be additional RSOs present, but they are functioning as Range Officer (RO) to support and assist the RSO.
  • All Range Operations are the discretion of the RSO
  • Safety violations may result in the RSO removing the shooter from the Range
  • The RSO and the RO can provide coaching and support to shooters, but will not actively engage in shooting.
  • Each shooter coming on to the Range will receive this briefing from an RSO or RO. At the RSO’s discretion, the briefing may be abbreviated for experienced shooters.

Authorized Users

Check the Black Diamond Gun Club calendar for hours that the Ranges are open. An RSO must be present for the Range to be open and RSO times are indicated on the calendar.

Members only hours authorized users

  • Club Members and immediate family in the same household
  • Invited guests of Club members (who must pay the appropriate public fee)

Public hours authorized users

  • Any one legally authorized to own a firearm in the state of Washington
  • Their family members and children
  • All Club Members and invited guests
  • All Public shooters, family members, and invited guests must pay the appropriate fees posted in the Range Shack

Holsters, 200 yard Rifle Range, and Action Bays

Only Members can draw from the holster or use the 200 yard Rifle Range and Action Bays. In order to draw from the holster or use these Ranges, the Member must be qualified by an RSO to do so. Ask the RSO on duty for assistance.

  • Draw from holster is at the discretion of the RSO on duty on the Pistol Range and Action Bay.
  • Use of the 200 yard Rifle Range and Action Bays is only allowed during hours when the Trap Range is not in use.
  • The Members using those Ranges must follow a specific set of rules that will be provided to them by the RSO.

And Finally
If there is not an RSO present, the Range is closed and no one may use the Range. Violations of this rule are a safety violation that will be reported to the Board and may lead to the individual being banned from Club grounds and Ranges.