Gun Safety

The following rules apply to both rifle and pistol shooting at Castle FTARC:

1) When rifles & pistols are not in use on the lanes, they must be unloaded and placed on a shooting cushion or stored in a case (NOT waved about in the direction of other members).

2) When it is your turn to shoot your rifle or pistol keep the weapon facing down the lane at all times while range finding and loading, and if you are loading a pneumatic pistol, while charging it always pump the pistol with the barrel pointing down the lane and not at the person next to you as there is always a risk that the pistol could go off on the final pump without pressing the trigger.

3) As soon as you hear a one whistle blast stop shooting immediately, discharge your weapon down the lane into the floor. (DO NOT SIT WITH A LOADED GUN WITH SOMEONE IN FRONT OF YOU). Wait until you hear two whistle blasts before you reload your gun and commence shooting.

4) When moving from lane to lane make sure that the gun is unloaded and always walk with your rifle or pistol pointing at the floor. When you reach the next lane place all weapons on a cushion or store in a case until it is your turn to shoot.

5) Members under the age of 18 you must be supervised by an adult at all times and must not be left alone with any rifle or pistol.

GENERAL GUN HANDLING CHECK LIST. NEVER point your gun at anyone and ALWAYS treat your gun as being loaded at ALL times. ALWAYS be aware of where your muzzle is pointing, if you have difficulty getting up from a prone shot without waving your gun around, please ask another member of your group to help you. If you have a magazine fed rifle, please remove the magazine between shooting pegs/lanes. If you have a Break Barrel rifle, please break the barrel to show it’s safe. Similarly if you have an under lever rifle, please crack the under lever while carrying the gun. Please do NOT rest your muzzle on your foot and please don’t carry your gun using the scope as a carry handle. Please do not load your rifle or even look through the scope ANYWHERE except across a designated firing line – that means the Zero Range OR the Course and nowhere else. Most importantly, if you see someone being unsafe, politely point it out to them. While you’re shooting the course, we operate a BUDDY MARSHALLING system. That means that everyone on the course is a safety marshal, not just the people wandering around with florescent jackets on. It’s YOUR responsibility to make sure that everyone in your group stays safe. If you’re in ANY doubt at all, please ask someone.

STOPPAGES CHECK LIST. If you hear a SINGLE blast on a whistle or air horn it means CEASE FIRE immediately. If you have a loaded gun, please point it at soft ground across the firing line and discharge it safely into the ground. Remember, We’re ALL responsible for safety, so please make sure that everyone in your group is aware of a cease fire and that the groups to your left and right are also aware. While a cease fire is on, please DO NOT look through your scope or shoulder your rifle for ANY reason. Two blasts of a whistle or horn mean that it’s safe to continue – Again, make sure everyone in your group and in the groups around you are aware of this. DO NOT Under any circumstances cross a firing line – if there is a problem, blow a whistle. If you’re a spectator, please have consideration for those shooting the competition, and please do not approach or distract shooters while they’re taking a shot.

Castle field target club is very proud of its 100% safety record and all we ask is to carry on this tradition to ensure the future of the club and the safety of its members. If you see anyone acting in a unsafe manner please report it immediately, as any unsafe behavior will not be tolerated in any shape or form.

Rifle & pistol safety