Bench Rest Rifle Club Safety Plan

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A. PURPOSE
 
This Safety Plan has been established to ensure the health and safety of those individuals who use or frequent the Bench Rest Rifle Club of St. Louis and ensure the safety of the community at large.
  • Members must abide by the following rules, and members are expected to call to the attention of other members any observed infractions. The ranges are operated in a passive manner, i.e., members are free to shoot at any time with self-supervision; however, a range officer may be present during peak shooting periods.
  • The failure of members to abide by the rules and police themselves will result in loss of random access and the establishment of specific days and hours of range operation. Therefore, every member is encouraged to do their part to ensure that we can continue to operate our range safely in a passive manner.
  • To continue to stress the importance of our range rules and the necessity of maintaining safe ranges, all members are required to attend a basic Firearms Safety Orientation, hosted by one of the organization’s Directors, at which time the range rules and rationale behind them will be explained.
  • We have certified Range Safety Officers. When they are on the range, they will display a large orange flag with RSO and their individual identification number. They have the responsibility for range safety. Members are required to follow their instruction if given, if you feel their instruction was unnecessary get their name or I.D. number and contact a member of the Board of Directors. 
 
B. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES:

  1. Access is restricted to your membership “key card” only. You are responsible for guests from entry to exit and to ensure that they obey the range rules and register in the main Club House.
  2. Guests of a member are only permitted to use a range when in proximity to the member who invited them. Members are limited to two guests on the firing line shooting at the same time without the supervision of a non-shooting RSO.
  3. The speed limit on the roads leading to the ranges is 25 MPH. The speed limit in the range areas is 5 MPH.
  4. Firing is limited to daylight hours. When the Dusk to Dawn lights located on the firing lines or on the front of the buildings facing the firing line are on, all shooting will stop. Absolutely no shooting after these lights are illuminated without Board approval. Remember you should always be able to clearly see the backstop that your projectile will impact. If in doubt, do not shoot.
  5. When scheduled matches are in progress, no one except those registered in the match are permitted to use that range.
  6. Ranges will be closed prior to match time to facilitate preparation for the match.
  7. No live ammunition or components (live rounds, duds, live primers, or gunpowder) shall be placed in trashcans. Put them in the “brass” barrels.
  8. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Sweep up expended shell cases, remove old targets, and place them in the proper trash receptacle. Leave it better than you found it.
  9. Any unintentional discharges where a round may not have impacted into a backstop or where any incident has occurred requiring first aid must be reported.
  10. Members should stop anyone who is not following the range rules. Then contact one of the Range Safety Officers or directors as soon as possible. (Note the range, date, and time of incident)
  11. The status of the ranges will be available by calling the "hotline" at 636-745-7682
  12. Rule infractions can be cause for dismissal from the organization.
 
 C. GENERAL RANGE RULES:

  1. It is every shooter’s responsibility to make sure all shooters on the firing line are aware of their intent to go down range before the safety lights are turned on. YOU MUST ACCOUNT FOR ALL SHOOTERS ON THE FIRING LINE BEFORE THE SAFETY LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF.
  2. No one may be seated at a shooting bench and no firearm may be handled or manipulated on the concrete firing line or firing line area when the range is declared COLD, either by application of the Safety Lights or by direction of a Range Safety Officer. Everyone in the firing line area should move to the back 3 feet of the concrete or into the parking area while others are down range. During supervised functions or match conditions the Range Safety Officer in charge may control the firing line area in accordance with the safety guidelines of their discipline.
  3. All shots must be controlled and there must be at least TWO SECONDS between shots where the backstop is beyond 15 yards, excluding clay bird doubles. Bump–fire stocks, binary triggers or full auto firearms are not allowed.
  4. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIRING LINE. Those who have consumed alcohol may not shoot, handle, nor be on the firing line where firearms are present for the remainder of the day.
  5. Targets are to be hung or changed as directed by the Range Safety Officer or by collective agreement. NO exploding targets of any kind are allowed on any range.
  6. Full cooperation with the Range Safety Officer or Officer in charge is required of everyone.
  7. No children under 12 years of age are permitted on the firing line unless supervised 1-on-1 by an adult. Small children must always be supervised. Pets must always be leashed.
  8. ALL SHOTS MUST BE AIMED AT TARGETS. SHOOTING AT OBJECTS ON THE GROUND IS PROHIBITED.
  9. FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS: Bump–fire stocks, binary triggers or full auto firearms are not allowed.
  10. AMMUNITION RESTRICTIONS. Firing of any steel core, armor piercing, incendiary, tracers, explosive tip, or other pyrotechnic ammunition is prohibited at all ranges.
  11. Do not move target frames. Make sure that the number on the target frame corresponds with the bench number. Match directors may adjust the range for competitor practice prior to the match. Do not crossfire. No one may use personal target stands without written board approval.
  12. NO ONE SHOULD BE IN FRONT OF THE YELLOW LINE AT THE FRONT EDGE OF THE CONCRETE WHEN THE FIRING LINE IS HOT.
  13. Ear and eye protection is mandatory on all ranges.
  14. Shooting at ANY wildlife is prohibited, no hunting is allowed on any part of the property.
  15. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.
  16. No metal points on rests or other devices can contact the concrete bench tops, “SuperFeet” or another type of protector is mandatory to protect the concrete finish of the bench tops.

D. GUN HANDLING RULES
  1. ALWAYS POINT THE MUZZLE IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
  2. FIREARMS SHALL BE LOADED ONLY WHEN THE RANGE IS OPEN FOR FIRING AND THE SHOOTER IS IN POSITION ON THE FIRING LINE. (EXCEPT HOLSTERED HANDGUNS)
  3. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO FIRE.
  4. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND.
  5. KNOW HOW THE FIREARM OPERATES; MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SAFE AND IN WORKING ORDER.
  6. BE SURE THE FIREARM AND AMMUNITION ARE COMPATIBLE.
  7. ACTIONS OF ALL GUNS MUST BE KEPT OPEN AT ALL TIMES, EXCEPT WHEN THE FIRING LINE IS “HOT.” (With the exception of holstered handguns)
  8. TREAT EVERY GUN AS A LOADED GUN!
  
E. 60 BENCH RIFLE RANGE RULES: (200/300/600 YARD BACKSTOPS)
 
RESTRICTED USE OF BENCH # 1 through # 20 on this range.
No one may shoot beyond 200 yards unless certified by the Board of Directors and when shooting beyond 200 yards they must display this certification.
  1. Targets must be properly hung on the target frame corresponding to the bench number so that frames and posts are not damaged. No cross firing is allowed.
  2. Absolutely no shooting of pistols or revolvers on the 60-bench rifle range. XP-100 and Thompson center or hunting type pistols are allowed when chambered for center fire rifle cartridges that have a muzzle velocity of 1800 FPS or more.
  3. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.
  4. When target changes are time consuming because of 300 and 600 yards, a shooting time of 30 minutes between target changes should prevail.
  5. In non-match situations, people in the 600-yard pits while the range is hot must remain there until those on the firing line physically go down range to relieve them. No vehicles are to be parked down range while the range is hot.
  6. If the gate to the 600-yard pits is found open, persons desiring to shoot must first physically go down range to insure no one is in the 600-yard pit area before they close the gate and open the range for shooting.
  7. It is especially important to have knowledge of the trajectory of the cartridge being used if you are planning to shoot at 600-yards.
  8. Do not shoot magnum cartridges, 50 BMG or its derivatives at the 200, 300, 385-meter metallic silhouettes, it will damage them.
  9. When shooting from a bench the muzzle of the firearm shall be in front of the front edge of the bench. This reduces the muzzle blast.
  10. 50 BMG rifles are only allowed on firing points 1, 2, 3, 4, or 57, 58, 59, and 60. 

F. MAIN PISTOL RANGE RULES: (15 and 50-YARD BACKSTOP)
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  1. All handguns must be carried with cylinders open or slides back unless they are in shooting boxes/cases or carried in a holster.
  2. Centerfire, rimfire, and muzzleloader rifles, as well as shotgun slugs may be fired on the pistol range. Do not shoot shotshells.
  3. All shots must be aimed at targets. Pistol shooters are prohibited from "fanning” revolvers and from shooting from the hip.
  4. No drawing (draw and fire) from a holster of any kind when behind the bench under cover. 
  5. Steel targets are for .22 rim fire pistols / rifles and center fire handguns up to and including .44 mag., absolutely no center fire rifle calibers are to be shot at the steel targets including pistol calibers fired from rifles / carbines. Pistol caliber carbines may be fired at steel targets if the distance is ten yards or greater.
  6. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.
 
G. Membership Area Pistol Range: (target backers at 7, 12, 15, 25 and 50 yards)
  1. All Pistol range rules apply at this range.
  2. You may call a cease fire without closing the rifle range or turning on the red safety lights, however, a cease fire on the rifle range applies to the pistol range.
  3. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.

H. SHOTGUN RANGE RULES:

  1. CLAYBIRD AREA & PATTERN BOARD AREA: NO SLUGS. Slugs may be shot on the pistol range or the 20-bench rifle range.
  2. No Pistols or Handguns are to be discharged on the Shotgun range.
  3. Absolutely no shot larger than # 6 is to be shot at aerial targets. 
 
I. 20 BENCH RIFLE RANGE RULES: (100-METER BACKSTOP)
  1. Targets must be properly hung on the target frame corresponding to the bench number so that frames and posts are not damaged.
  2. Do not shoot shotguns loaded with shot shells on this range. They will destroy the target frames.
  3. When shooting from a bench the muzzle of the firearm shall be in front of the front edge of the bench. This reduces the muzzle blast.
  4. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.
  5. Absolutely no rifles of .50 BMG caliber are allowed on this Range.

J. 30 BENCH RANGE RULES: (100, 200, 300 YARD BACKSTOPS)

RESTRICTED USE OF THE 300 YARD TARGETS.
Before use members must be certified by the Board of Directors and display their certification while shooting a Rim-Fire Rifle beyond 100 yards or a Center fire Rifle beyond 200 yards.

  1. Shooting hours of operation—Monday through Saturday—7am till 6pm and Sunday 8am till 6pm. During daylight saving the light on the building behind the firing line will determine cease fire.
  2. All projectiles must impact into a backstop.
  3. Before activating the safety lights, you must coordinate with users on the adjacent pistol range prior to calling a cease fire. They must stop shooting prior to going down range on the rifle side.
  4. No shooting of handguns on this range.
  5. Do not move target stands, they must remain in their proper position for safety.
  6. Do not shoot shotguns with shot shells on this range. They will destroy the frames.
  7. When shooting from a bench the muzzle of the firearm shall be in front of the front edge of the     bench. This reduces muzzle blast.
  8. All projectiles must impact into a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility.
  9. Absolutely no rifles of .50 BMG caliber are allowed on this Range.
 
K.  ARCHERY RANGE RULES:
 
 1. The archery targets are for use with longbows, compound bows and crossbows.  Rules are displayed at the archery area
 
L. Rim Fire Only Range:
  1. Range is for .22 caliber short, long and long rifle only, .22 caliber and smaller air rifles are allowed.
  2. All projectiles must impact the intended backstop.
  3. Two seconds between shots at all targets beyond 25 yards.
  4. All projectiles must impact a backstop. This is the shooters responsibility
 
NO ONE may handle or shoot any firearms on BENCH REST RIFLE CLUB property when under the influence of alcohol, illicit drugs or any medication that impairs their fine motor skills.