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What to expect at the range.

Utilizing gun safety at the range is paramount. It’s important for everyone, regardless of experience level, to know the proper way to handle a firearm before venturing onto a shooting range.

Before you can take a shot, you first have to make sure that you and those around you are safe. Here are some of the most important gun safety rules to keep in mind when shooting.

Always keep in mind that knowing how to handle and properly use a firearm is much more important than any set of rules. Always check the status of your gun before going to the shooting range. This includes checking the barrel for obstructions and ensuring that the gun is properly unloaded.

Always Be Sure The Gun Is Unloaded

This may seem like an obvious safety rule, but it is one of the leading causes of firearms-related accidents, especially at the shooting range. Make sure that before you load a gun, you clearly check the magazine and chamber to ensure that it is empty. If you’re shooting a revolver, open the loading gate and ensure that there is no round in the chamber. Never assume that a gun is empty.

Even if you checked and saw that the gun was unloaded, never put your eye near the sight or in front of the muzzle until you verify once more that it is empty.

Never Point A Gun At Something You Aren’t Willing To Destroy

The trigger takes very little pressure to fire a gun, so if you are holding something in your hand and someone pushes it the wrong way, the gun could go off. Always be sure that you are pointing a gun at something that you want to shoot.

Keep guns away from anything that you don’t want to see damaged by a bullet.

Remain Immobile After Taking A Shot

After taking a shot, don’t move. The gun is still firing and could hit you or someone else if you move. Stay still and wait for all movement from other shooters to stop before moving forward.

Who is a Rangemaster and what is their role?

The Rangemaster is the person in charge of the safety and maintenance of the shooting range. Always follow range commands as appropriate.

Most shooting ranges will have range commands that they instruct their shooters to follow. Some of the most common are:

Silence - The Rangemaster or other personnel on the range will announce when the range is silent, meaning that shooting should stop. After hearing the command, stop firing and wait for further instructions.

Stop - This command indicates that a shooter should stop shooting immediately. This may be because a shot was a near hit or for some other safety reason. Again, wait for the Stop command before moving or reloading your gun.

Mark - A mark is usually fired to locate a bullet after a shot. If you don’t hear a mark, be careful about moving until you understand where the - This command means that the person in charge of the shooting range is about to check a particular station. Continue to stand still and be ready to follow any commands that they give.

Clear - This command means that a shooter should check and clear their gun. This may mean checking that your gun is clear of any debris or that you’re ready to shoot at a particular target.

Shot - This command means that a shooter has fired a shot and should stand by to see if there is a mark.

Stop firing - This command means what it sounds like: stop firing. Wait for further instructions. This command may be followed by a command to clear your gun, indicating that a near hit has occurred or that debris is present in your gun that could cause a malfunction.

In Summary, here are a few things to remember before and while you're at the range.



Know the rules of gun safety before heading out to the range.

Always be sure that the gun is unloaded before handling it.

Don't point a loaded gun at anything you aren't willing to destroy.

We hope you found this article helpful and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out.