“BASIC RANGE SAFETY STANDARDS”

There have been minor range infringements on TSNZ ranges throughout the country which have been brought to
our attention.

Following is the “Basic Range Safety”

1. Please make sure these rules are adhered to.
2. The safety of competitors, range officials and spectators requires continued attention to safe firearms handling. Self-discipline is necessary on the part of all concerned. Where such discipline is lacking, it is the duty of range officials to enforce discipline, and the duty of all members of TSNZ to assist and encourage such enforcement.
3. The Range Committee is responsible for overall safety. The Range Committee may establish further safety rules considered necessary for any particular venue.
4. The Range Officer is responsible for safety on the firing point and must ensure that the commands are obeyed and that all firearms are handled safely.
5. Any competitor who acts in an unsafe manner, or fails to respond to the commands of the Range Officer, shall be required to stop firing immediately and the matter shall be reported to the Range Committee for consideration.
6. Any person who has consumed alcohol or other substance, which may render him/her unsafe to handle firearms, shall not participate in any shooting competition while under the influence of the alcohol or other substance.
7. All rifles must be kept unloaded, with the actions open, except on the firing point.
8. Rifles must only be loaded on the firing point, with the muzzle pointing forward of the firing line after the appropriate instruction has been given by the Range Officer.
9. A rifle is considered to be loaded when a live round is on the loading ramp or in the breech, regardless of whether the action is open or closed, and at any time when the action is closed.
10. The final locking of the action shall not take place until the butt of the rifle is in contact with the competitors shoulder and the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction towards the target (s)”.
11. Upon the command “SHOOTERS, STOP AND UNLOAD” competitors must stop shooting immediately, unload their rifles and, with the action open, lower the butts to the ground.
12. At the end of the detail the Range Officer shall give the command “SHOOTERS, CLEAR ACTIONS”. Competitors shall respond by closing and opening the action twice and leaving the action open. The Range Officer shall verify that all actions are clear before the rifles are taken from the firing point with the action open.
13. When personnel are forward of the firing line, rifles shall be unloaded with the actions open and the butts on the ground.
14. All competitors, officials and other people in the immediate vicinity of the firing point are urged to wear earplugs, earmuffs or similar ear protection.
15. IT IS NOW A LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT RANGES ARE SMOKE FREE