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Treat a gun with respect at all times. It is not a plaything.
Hundreds of people are killed each year in accidents involving firearms. This is not because of any malfunctioning of the mechanism, nor because of lack of knowledge about safety. Most persons who cause gun accidents know the safety principles perfectly well. They are merely careless.
Every person using a firearm must meticulously follow safety rules. Considering that precious lives are at stake, absolute discipline is a must. All the safety rules are to be observed at all times. You will always be safe with a gun if you scrupulously follow the rules given below.
These rules are enforced at all MRA shooting ranges and apply throughout range use, firearm handling, and movement within the premises.
These are the non-negotiable firearm handling rules that every shooter must observe at all times.
Treat a gun with respect at all times. It is not a plaything.
Always point a gun down the range whether you are shooting, dry firing, or aiming. Down range means towards target, butt wall, sand bank, or the corresponding area of the firing point which is made of steel or sand to stop bullets.
I shall always point the gun barrel in the direction of the shooting range only.
A gun must always be kept unloaded except when you are actually firing it. Before putting the gun down on the table, always unload it, making sure that the magazine is out and the chamber is free of live or empty cartridges.
I shall never put a gun down on the table in a loaded condition.
Even if someone tells you a gun is unloaded, always assume it is loaded until you have yourself checked to make sure it is unloaded. Do not forget that all guns are always to be treated as if they are loaded.
Every time you handle a gun you must check the condition of the gun, whether loaded or unloaded. Even if you have yourself packed the gun and put it in the case, the next time you take it out of the case you must open the action or chamber and make sure that the gun is unloaded.
Every time I handle a gun I shall first check the condition of the gun.
In the case of a pistol, always keep the bolt, block, or slide open and in the case of a revolver, always keep cylinder open except when you are actually shooting.
I shall always keep the gun unloaded except when I am actually firing.
As soon as a command for cease fire is given, unload your gun immediately, remove the magazine, open the action or cylinder, take out all live or empty cartridges and place it on the table, barrel pointing down the range. In the case of air guns, open the breech or lever and place the air gun on the table, barrel pointing down the range. Even in the case of air guns you cannot put a loaded gun down on the table. You may handle a gun only after the command load or commence fire is given.
As soon as I hear the command of cease fire, I shall immediately stop shooting. I shall touch the gun for shooting only after the order of commence fire.
While loading, keep your finger outside the trigger guard. Finger may be placed on the trigger only when you are ready to lift the arm for a shot.
Before touching anybody else’s weapon, take explicit permission to do so.
With all ammunition, particularly Indian ammunition, powder and shreds of lead may fly in different directions and cause eye injury. It is therefore necessary to always wear glasses while shooting. When shooting air pistol, this is not essential.
Pistol shots are extremely loud and dangerous to the ears. Prolonged exposure to pistol or gun shots may cause progressive deafness. Use ear protectors such as ear plugs, ear valves, or ear muffs.
Bullets and pellets are made of lead, which is soft and poisonous. Lead is toxic and accumulative. Keep ammunition away from children and always wash your hands after handling ammunition.
Weapon oils and anti-rust oils may contain harmful chemicals and additives. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling weapons and keep these oils away from children.
These rules govern range entry, lane usage, firearms movement, cease fire procedure, guests, discipline, and conduct within the premises.
Before occupying the lane, sign the lane register and pay the appropriate lane fees. Occupy the lane allotted by the range staff, range officer, or any senior shooter.
Keep your club identity card and or firearms license handy and show it to the range officer on duty when demanded. Obey all commands of the range officer or senior shooter.
If you are carrying any loaded and concealable firearm such as a revolver or pistol, it may be taken out from your person or bag only when the commence fire command is on, and only at the allotted firing point or bay. It must be unloaded immediately while observing all rules. You are not allowed to take out the loaded firearm during cease fire or outside the firing point or bay allotted to you.
On hearing the command cease fire or stop, unload your weapon including the magazine immediately and place it on the table in breach open condition with barrel pointing down range. All weapons must remain unloaded and untouched by everyone while cease fire is on.
Nobody is permitted to enter the ranges or move in the MRA premises with weapons in visible waist or shoulder holsters, except law enforcing officers on duty. Nude handguns must be kept in the case and may be taken out only at the firing point.
Members who are VIPs or VVIPs and are allotted gunmen are responsible for acquainting their gunmen with the safety and range rules. Barrels of all carbines carried by such gunmen or bodyguards must be pointing up at all times.
Guests and family members are not permitted to shoot or enter your firing point or bay unless specific permission has been obtained from the MRA office after completing the necessary formalities.
You are fully responsible for acquainting your guest and family members with all safety and range rules. You will be liable for disciplinary action in case of breach of any safety or range rule by your guest or family members.
Please observe complete silence while on the range.
Do not disturb shooters while they are shooting or relaxing as long as they are in the shooting bay, even if they are your friends.
You may enter only the firing point or bay allotted to you. Do not enter another shooter’s bay unless expressly requested to assist in case of difficulty.
Do not smoke inside the range in any area covered by roof. You may smoke only in areas open to the sky or specifically marked for the purpose. Smoking is injurious to others’ health, and top shooters of the state and the nation also train here.
Follow all additional safety and range rules put up on the notice board from time to time.
Use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited on the firing line or bay. All mobile phones must be kept on silent mode on shooting ranges.
Before packing your pistol or gun into the case, seek the range officer’s permission. The range officer will check the barrel. If it is empty, the command pack pistol, rifle, or gun will be given. You may pack the weapon only after that command is announced.