NORTHAMPTON REVOLVER CLUB

Range Safety Rules and Regulations – Approved 04/2009

              The Northampton Revolver Club has compiled the following Rules and Regulations designed to promote safety for Club members and their guests and to protect the Club against litigation due to injury or death of a member or guest because of unsafe or improper handling of firearms or unsafe use of Club grounds and facilities. Remember, SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT.  Failure to abide by these Rules may result in suspension or revocation of Club membership. Violations of these Rules will be referred to the Board of Directors to determine the appropriate action to be taken by the Club.

Basic Safety Rules

ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction, whether or not you believe it is loaded.

ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

General Club Rules

1. Handling of loaded firearms in the Clubhouse is strictly prohibited.
2. Members are welcome to bring guests to use the Club’s facilities on a space-available basis. The host member must accompany his or her guest(s) at all times. The number of guests per member is limited to 3 adults or 2 adults and one minor (under 18) guest. The host member is responsible for ensuring that their guests observe the Club’s safety rules at all times.
3. In the case of minor guests (under 18), only one firearm and one shooting port may be in use at any time. The exception to this is if said minor has taken a Massachusetts State approved safety course and holds a valid FID card. Minors using the facilities must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.
4. The consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances on Club property is strictly prohibited.
5. Fires on Club property are not permitted without the approval of the Board of Directors and the Northampton Fire Department.
6. Every member is responsible for policing the Club property.
7. All members are asked to respect the concept of common sense safety, fair play and sportsmanship.
8. No person may pull targets or stand in front of the firing line without the consent and recognition of the other shooters on the line or while there are loaded forearms on the line.
9. All unfired ammunition must be removed from the ranges, and either taken by the shooter or placed in the container in the Clubhouse for live rounds.
10. Any member found guilty of willfully and maliciously destroying or defacing Club property will have their membership revoked.
11. Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while using firearms on Club property. It is strongly suggested that all shooters also wear a baseball cap or brimmed hat

Indoor Range Rules

1. All members and guests must sign in and out with their full name.
2. There shall be no shooting on the indoor range between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
3. No rifles larger than .22 caliber rimfire may be fired on the indoor range.
4. No shotguns are allowed on the indoor range.
5. No handguns larger than .44 magnum may be used on the indoor range (S&W .460, .500 and the Ruger .480 are not allowed). Target loads only. Jacketed ammo is allowed, but copper plated or lead ammo is preferred. No black powder firearms are allowed.
6. All indoor shooting must be done with the firearm extended forward of the firing port.
7. All indoor shooting is typically done from the 50 foot line. Defensive or combat practice may be done in front of the ports only with the complete acknowledgement and participation of all the shooters present on the indoor range.
8. Only paper targets may be used on the indoor range. All targets and brass must be cleaned up and placed in the appropriate containers for recycling.
9. As shooters on the indoor range may be exposed to lead particles, the following safety rules are recommended:
   1. There will be no eating, drinking or smoking in the indoor range area.
   2. Pregnant women and young children should not be present on the indoor range.
   3. Hands should be washed after shooting and before eating, drinking or smoking.

Outdoor Range Rules

1. There is no shooting on the outdoor range while school is in session (8am to 3 p.m. September – June. Excluding Holidays)
2. There is no shooting on the outdoor range before 9:00 a.m. or after sunset Monday - Saturday and before 10:00 a.m. on Sundays.
3. All outdoors shooting will be directed toward appointed and approved backstops.
4. No glass objects may be used as targets at any time or any place on Club property.
5. All trash, official and makeshift targets must be removed after members are through shooting.
6. There is no skeet or trap shooting on Club grounds.
7. No fully automatic firearms (machine guns) may be used on any of the Club ranges.