Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center
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SAFETY RULES
SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

FUNDAMENTAL RULES OF SAFE FIREARM HANDLING
  1. ALWAYS KEEP GUNS POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
  2. ALWAYS KEEP GUNS UNLOADED UNTIL READY TO SHOOT.
  3. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
  4. ALWAYS KNOW YOUR TARGET, AND WHAT IS BEYOND AND SURROUNDING IT.
GENERAL RULES OF SAFETY
APPLIES TO ALL SHOOTING SPORTS AND AREAS ON CENTER'S GROUNDS
  1. GUN ACTIONS/BREACHES WILL REMAIN OPEN AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLED.
  2. DO NOT LOAD UNTIL YOU ARE IN/ON YOU'RE SHOOTING STATION.
  3. RE-OPEN ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LEAVING A STATION.
  4. NEVER GO ONTO THE FIELDS; NEVER PASS THE SKEET OR TRAP HOUSES.
  5. NEVER SHOOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.
  6. SHOOTERS MUST WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION.
  7. USE TARGET LOADS ONLY WITH NO SHOTSIZE LARGER THAN 7-1/2; NO SLUG'S OR SABOTS.
  8. CONFIRM YOUR GUN IS SAFE TO OPERATE.
  9. ALL SHOTGUN STOCKS MUST BE FIXED AND PERMANENT.
  10. SHOTGUN BARRELS, OTHER THAN YOUTH MODELS, SHALL BE A MINIMUM LENGTH OF 22 INCHES.
  11. NEVER LEAVE YOUR GUN(S) UNATTENTED; GUNS ON RACKS SHOULD BE REMOVED WHEN YOU LEAVE THAT AREA.
  12. SHOOTERS SHALL NOT LEAVE THEIR EMPTY SHELL CASINGS ON THE GROUND.
  13. MISFIRED/DUD SHELL(S) ARE TO BE KEPT IN THE SHOOTER'S POSSESION OR TURNED IN TO THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER (RSO) FOR DISPOSAL; AT NO TIME SHOULD AN UNFIRED SHELL BE PLACED IN WASTE BINS.
  14. SHOOTERS MUST LOAD FROM A STANDING POSTURE (NO LOADING FROM THE GROUND) POUCHES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
  15. UPON THE CALL OF A "CEASE FIRE", STOP SHOOTING AND UNLOAD UNTIL YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO RESUME SHOOTING.
  16. ONLY SHOOTERS. STAFF, OFFICIALS, AND RSO'S ARE ALLOWED BEYOND THE ROPE LINE. OBSERVERS/NON SHOOTERS MUST REMAIN BEHIND THE ROPE LINE AT ALL TIMES.
  17. USE OF THE PATTERN BOARD IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CENTER MANAGER.
  18. NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTEEN (16) YEARS OLD SHALL SHOOT OR HANDLE FIREARMS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.
  19. SCHEDULED PATRON SHOOTING GROUPS SHALL BE ASSIGNED AN RSO, TO SUPERVISE SHOOTING ACTIVITIES, UNLESS THAT GROUP PROVIDES SANCTIONED OR AN AUTHORIZED SAFETY OBSERVER(S).
  20. SPECIAL SHOOTING COMPETITIONS OR "GAMES" WHICH ALTER THE SHOOTING STATIONS OR TYPICAL FIRING LINE, SHALL NOT COMMENCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE CENTER'S MANAGER ON DUTY, OR A THEN PRESENT RANGE SAFETY OFFICER.

BEFORE COMING TO THE RANGE PLEASE REVIEW THE SAFETY VIDEOS AND COMPLETE THE LRSTC SHOOTER REGISTRATION

EXPLANATION OF SAFETY RULES

Eye & Hearing Protection:
  1. Use of eye protection (shooting glasses or safety glasses) is mandatory for anyone on the skeet or trap fields while shooting is in progress. The purpose for this policy should be obvious - there is the possibility of being struck by pieces of target or by shot pellets that ricochet off targets. If struck in the eye, serious injury could result.
  2. Hearing protection is also required as prolonged exposure to loud noise has been shown to cause hearing loss.
Ammunition:
  1. Use of target ammunition with shot size of 7-1/2 to 9 is mandatory. Ammunition with shot size larger than 7-1/2 carries too far into the field and is prohibited. Anyone caught using shot larger than 7 1/2 will be asked to leave immediately.
  2. When using a club rental shotgun, reloads are prohibited.
Shooting Positions:
  1. Shooters must stand at the designated shooting positions for trap, skeet, or 5-stand. Shooting from other than designated shooting positions can cause a potentially dangerous situation, and is prohibited.
Loading Guns:
  1. Before attempting to shoot, shooters must be knowledgeable of the safe operation of their shotgun as well as how to load and unload in a safe and competent manner.
  2. Load gun only when shooting or preparing to shoot from a designated shooting station and only when it is your turn to shoot. At all other times, guns must be unloaded and the action must be open so that it is obvious to everyone that the gun is unloaded. The only exception to this rule is when a break-open shotgun is closed to be placed on a gun rack.
  3. When removed from the rack, the gun must be opened. Carrying shotguns with the actions closed is prohibited.
  4. When shooting trap, only one shell at a time is loaded when shooting singles, two shells are loaded for doubles, and either one or two shells may be loaded when shooting wobble trap or 5-stand.
  5. When shooting skeet, either one or two shells at a time may be loaded (except when shooting the station 8 high house, when only one shell is loaded). Loading more than two shells under any circumstance is prohibited.
  6. An ammunition pouch is required and can be obtained at the front desk if needed. Bending over to load shells from the ground presents an unsafe situation.
Pointing Shotguns:
  1. When shooting or preparing to shoot, it is the shooter's responsibility to keep his or her shotgun pointed in a safe direction at all times. "A safe direction" means towards the outfield, which is the area between and beyond the skeet houses of the field where you are shooting. "At all times" means while the gun is being loaded, while shouldering and shooting the gun, and after the completion of the shot. The purpose for this rule is that if the gun were to fire accidentally, it would not cause any harm.
  2. When loading, shooters must be particularly aware not to hold the shotgun in such a manner that the muzzle is pointed towards the "infield" or pointed down near their feet.
  3. Shooters must also be careful not to "over-swing", which is continuing to swing the shotgun to where it can potentially be pointed at people shooting on adjacent fields. This practice is dangerous, unnecessary, and is prohibited.
  4. When shooting skeet, station 8 targets must be shot before passing the center stake.
Enforcement:
  1. It is the responsibility of the staff, and all members of the Center, to play an active role in enforcing the safety regulations.
  2. If safety violations are observed, they will be addressed either by speaking directly to the violator or by notifying the Center's Manager.
  3. Individuals who violate the safety regulations can be barred from shooting at the Center.
  4. Center Members who violate the safety regulations can be subject to expulsion or suspension of their membership.