Your first trip to the shooting range will be both exciting and possibly a little intimating. Not to worry you will find the vast majority of people in the shooting world are friendly and helpful. However, you will be expected to handle your firearm safely and follow the range rules. This is for your safety and everyone around you. Nothing screams newbie like poor gun handling. If you have any questions ask the Range Officer they are there to help.

The Gospel

There are three rules that should be ingrained in your brain and must be followed at all times.

1. Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. At the range, this is pretty straight forward “safe direction” is always downrange. From the time you take it out of its case or bag on the firing line until you pack it up, it should be pointed downrange.
2. Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot. Your finger should be placed on the frame of the gun above and away from the trigger guard.
3. Always keep your firearm unloaded until you are ready to use it.

Those are the three rules that are generally viewed as the basic rules of safe gun handling. I would like to point out a couple more.

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Even if you are sure it is unloaded there is no excuse to handle it in a careless manner. I was in a gun store once looking at used pistols the salesperson handed me a pistol that I was interested in. I did my normal condition check racking the slide to check the chamber and low and behold a live round popped out
• Know your target and what is beyond it. At the range, the targets are downrange on a target stand and beyond it will be an earth berm or a backstop.
• Never turn the gun sideways on the firing line. I have seen numerious people turn their gun sideways to change magazines or rack the slide this is unexceptable at any time.

Range Commands

You will need to get to know and understand the Range Officers commands.

Commence Fire Range is clear and you may shoot at your target

Cease Fire Stop firing immediately. Firearms are not to be handled in any way during a cease fire.

Eyes & Ears This is to alert you that the range is about to commence fire and you should have eye and hearing protection in place.

Hot or Cold Range

Most Public ranges will be cold meaning that a loaded firearm is only allowed at the firing line. No guns should be handled off of the firing line.

On a cold range, you should bring your firearm to the firing line in a case or bag. It should be placed back into the case or bag (unloaded) before you leave the line.

A hot range will allow a loaded firearm off of the firing line but in most cases, the firearm must be in a holster. A hot range will most likely be at an advanced instructional Class.

If you are unsure if it is a hot or cold range read the posted range rules or ask a range officer before you take your firearm out of your range bag.

Chamber Flags

A chamber flag is usually a bright colored plastic object that is placed into the chamber and protrudes out of the open action of the firearm as a visible sign that the chamber is empty. Chamber flags can be as simple as a bright orange zip tie or a purpose-built product. Your range my require them.

Eyes & Ears

Eye protection is essential. If you wear prescription glasses these will be acceptable on some ranges. I recommend if you have contacts wear them and wraparound shooting glasses. Every one on a shooting range must have eye protection on.

Firearms are loud! hearing protection is a must. this may vary from foam ear plugs to electronic ear muffs.

Hats

A hat though not essential is a really good idea. At an outdoor range, it will keep the sun off of your head. More importantly, indoor or outdoor a hat will keep hot brass that is being ejected from your firearm or someone else’s from being caught in your hair.

Necklines and Scarfs

While we are on the subject of hot brass. Low necklines and v neck shirts seem to be magnets for hot brass. Many People wear a scarf or bandana around their neck for this reason.

Shoes

Wear closed-toe shoes. don’t wear flip flops or sandals hot bras under your foot or between your toes is not a lot of fun. For this reason, many ranges require closed-toe shoes.

Mark the Muzzle End of Your Case

Designate the muzzle end of your case or range bag. I use a patch or a sticker on one end of all of my cases and the firearm goes in those cases with the muzzle pointed to that end. Now when I place my case on the bench at the firing line I know that when opened the gun will be pointing downrange. If you get involved in competitive shooting and you take a gun out that is not pointing down range you may be disqualified for a safety violation. It’s just a good safety protocol.

Related Questions

How to transport my gun to the range This will depend on your local laws. Most states will not allow you to transport a hand gun with in reach of an occupant of the vehicle or have ammunition and the gun in the same area unless you are a CCW holder. Check your state Attorney Generals web site for the laws that apply to you.

Can I rapid fire at a shooting range? Many shooting ranges do not allow rapid fire. Refer to the posted range rules or as always ask the Range Officer.

Can I draw from a holster at the range? Again Check posted range rules most public ranges do not allow holsters.