Tri-City Gun Club

TCGC Range Rules

Revised 8/7/2020

These Range Rules were created to help ensure a safe and enjoyable shooting environment for everyone at Tri-City Gun Club (TCGC).  While on TCGC property, everyone has the responsibility to handle firearms in a safe manner.  They are based on the principles of safe gun handling and shooting as prescribed by the NRA, various shooting discipline governing bodies, Oklahoma Hunter Education and Tri-City Gun Club.

This includes the following: 

A.  ALWAYS keep your firearm \ muzzle pointed in a SAFE direction and never at another person. 

B.   Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

C.  Keep firearms unloaded until you are ready to shoot.

D.  Know your target and what’s beyond, make sure your bullet hits the Backstop \ Berm.

Administrative Rules

1.  Range Etiquette:  Members are expected to conduct themselves in a pleasant professional manner at all times while on the range, know the safety rules and wear your TCGC ID Badge.  Members without their badges may be asked to leave.  Violations of range rules and inappropriate behavior reported to the Board will be investigated. Members involved in inappropriate behavior and safety violations may be called to appear before the Board to address these issues.  Violations should be reported to the Member at Large or the Chief Range Safety Officer.

2.  Club Publications: I acknowledge the Hangfire whether it be delivered via USPS or e-mail, is an official publication per the TCGC Bylaws.  The TCGC Website contains copies of the current and past Hangfire publications as well as other policy-related information. I am expected to review them on a routine basis to remain knowledgeable of club activities and policy updates \ changes.

3.  Hours of Operation:  The official hours of operation for the TCGC range are from fifteen (15) minutes after official sunrise to fifteen (15) minutes before official sunset, except for the skeet and trap range and the air gun range.  The skeet and trap ranges and air gun range will be operable until 9:30 each night. The light switch for the Skeet Range is in the Stat House.  This does not include the informal shotgun range located on the northeast corner of the skeet and trap field.  The Archery Range may be used until 10:00PM, the light switch is on the pole to the rear.   The Range complex will be closed to all members from 11:00PM – 6:00AM unless a special event is scheduled and approved by the Board.

4. Entry \ Exit Gate:  When you arrive at the TCGC gate to enter, with the gate fully closed, enter the gate code slowly by pushing the numbers firmly, followed by the # key.  Give the gate time to open.  The gate is open for 20 seconds, do not tailgate.   Never push the gate open or closed.  The speed limit on the Range is 10 MPH.  When leaving the Range, approach the gate slowly, the automatic opening sensor will activate the gate to open, wait to hear the gate opening signal, and wait for the gate to fully open.  Once open, proceed quickly through the gate.  When the Gate is locked open for an event a sign will be posted outside the gate that reads “Gate Open for Event Traffic.  Never enter the gate code while the gate is open, this will command it to close. Gate Code is Not to be Shared with Anyone.

5.  Accidents or Injuries:  Report all accidents or injuries immediately to a Range Safety Officer or Executive Committee Member.  (Phone numbers posted on the range and in the Red Range SOP Books).  We have three first aid boxes at TCGC: one in the stat house, one in the men's restroom, and one in the women's restroom.   There is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the Stat House north wall. The emergency 911 phone is located in the Red cabinet, outside, on the south side of the Stat House.   All information needed is located inside the door of the phone. 

6.  Hunting:  Hunting is prohibited on TCGC property.  Do not take pot shots at varmints.

7.  Range Closures:  Range closures will occur during club events such as Sportsfest, Women on Target, Hunter Education Clinic, YHEC, scheduled matches, and on work days.  For shooting information, check the range schedule in the Hangfire or on the website before driving to TCGC.

8.  Water:  Potable water is available from the blue faucets and in the main restrooms.  Red faucets are non-potable water and not safe to drink.  Clean drinking water is available from a cooler in the Stat House.

9.  Security of Firearms and Equipment: Members are responsible for the security of their firearms and shooting equipment.  Shooting equipment, gun cases etc. should be clearly marked with the member's contact information. If a member finds a firearm left unattended, they should contact a member of the Executive Committee or the Maintenance Manager immediately, who will take possession of the firearm and secure it, then initiate action to find the owner.  An audit trail \ chain of custody must be maintained.  Equipment may be placed in the Stat House with a note explaining the time and location it was found.

10.  Pick Up After Yourself:  Be proud of your range and pick up your trash.  Gray cans are for trash, small red buckets are for smokers.  Black brass recycle cans on the range are for brass only.  When you depart the range you are expected to pick up your expended brass \ shotgun shells and put them in the trash or recycle bin. 

11.  Stat House: The Stat House is available to all members.  The door code is the same as the gate code.  The Stat House is heated and air-conditioned, with drinking water available.

12.  Video Surveillance:  All areas on the Range are subject to video surveillance to include the gate.

13.  Guests: There are four requirements for bringing guests onto TCGC property:

A.  The TCGC member needs to directly supervise guests and remain with them on the range where they are shooting.  Children under the age of 14 must be in direct control of the member. Direct control is defined as within an arm’s reach of the member.

B.  All TCGC members are required to review these range rules and the Range Specific Rules located on the range with guests, prior to shooting, to ensure they understand and comply.

C.  All guests and non-members must sign the insurance waiver form on their first visit to the range, each calendar year, even if they are not shooting. Be sure the guest PRINTS their name, then signs the form, finally you must add your name as the sponsoring member!  It's your responsibility to make sure it’s filled out correctly.  Guest Waivers are available online and in the black mail boxes on each range. Completed waivers should be placed in the completed box in the black mail box.

D.  If you have a group of more than 6 guests, contact the CRSO to coordinate support.

14.  Alcohol and Drugs:  Alcohol and drugs are PROHIBITED on TCGC property. If your medication affects your behavior, do not participate in shooting activities.

15.  Matches and Special Events:  Match Directors, Event Coordinators and SDA Instructors are responsible for the coordination and conduct of their match \ shooting discipline and have the final word on how matches are to be conducted and ensure safe shooting practices are followed.  Matches should be conducted per the governing body of the match.

Firing Range Rules

1.  Specific Range Rules: Each Range has a set of Range Rules posted in front of the Range that provides specific guidance for that range.

2.  Eye and Ear Protection:  Eye and ear protection are mandatory for everyone on all ranges except for the archery range.  Eye protection is required on the air gun range, and ear protection is recommended.

3.  Non Smoking Areas: Smoking is not allowed under the covered range areas of the Rifle, Pistol and Short Ranges, down range or on the Trap and Skeet Complexes.  Red cans for cigarette butts designate a smoking area.

4.  Range Safety Lighting: When the Red Lights are On, the Range is "COLD",   If you are the last one to leave the range, please turn the lights off.

5.  Range Marking Lines:

1.      Firing Line \ Red Line is the Firing Line.  Shooters are not allowed to go forward of the Firing Line \ Red Line unless the Range is ‘Cold”. 

2.      Ready Line \ Yellow Line. Shooters must remain behind the Ready Line \ Yellow Line when the Range is Cold except to go down range to set or replace targets. While the range is "COLD", firearms are NOT to be handled.  Shooters are not allowed at the shooting bench for any reason.

6.  Hot and Cold Range:  To make a range "HOT" or "COLD", communication is required on the firing line.

• When the range is "HOT", you may transport UNLOADED firearms to and from your vehicle, load, unload, adjust firearms, and shoot at designated targets. All firearms must be placed on the shooting bench, uncased, made safe with an open chamber indicator inserted in the chamber and the muzzles pointing down range. Do not case, uncase or place firearms on tables or benches that are behind the “Yellow \ Ready Line”.
• Calling the Range Cold is a coordinated event by all shooters on the line: All firearms must be made safe with an open chamber indicator inserted into the chamber. Targets & staple guns should be placed behind yellow line before range is declared cold. All individuals must be behind the Yellow \ Ready Line and all have agreed the Range is Cold.

• ·            The Red Lights will be turned on and remain on until the range is made Hot again.  When the Range is Cold, you may go down range to place or retrieve targets.

 

Making Your Firearms Safe:

• Rifles, Shotguns, and Semi-Automatic Pistols:

1.    The Magazine \ all ammunition must be removed.

2.    Semi-Automatic: The bolt is locked to the rear.  If the bolt will not lock to the rear, the open

chamber indicator must be inserted at this time.

3.    Pump Action: The slide \ bolt is to the rear with the chamber visible.

4.    Bolt Action and Lever Action Rifles: The bolt is open and to the rear.

5.    The chamber is inspected and is empty.

6.    Open chamber indicator has been inserted into the chamber.

7.    Safety is activated if possible.

8.    The firearm is placed on its side or in a rest with the port up so the chamber can be easily seen.

9.    The muzzle pointed down range or placed in the rifle rack.

10.    Break over shotguns the breach is opened, checked, closed, safety on and placed in a rack.

• Revolvers & Break Over Pistols:

1.    Cylinder \ breach open and all ammunition removed

2.    The hammer forward

3.    Revolver \ Pistol placed on its side with the cylinder up and visible

4.    Open chamber indicator placed in the cylinder to prevent it from closing

• Revolvers with Loading Gates:

1.    Loading gate open with all ammunition \ shell casings removed

2.    Hammer forward or half cocked

3.    Placed on its side with the loading gate up and open

4.    Open chamber indicator placed in the cylinder to prevent it from closing

• Primitive Firearms \ Black Powder Rifles:

1.    Caps \ Primers \ Powder and Balls removed

2.    Rifles checked with the ram rod to make sure no ball or powder is loaded.  If the rifle is loaded the range may not be declared Cold until the ball and powder are removed or fired.

3.    Primitive rifles are placed in the half-cock position to expose the nibble or powder tray. In-Line Rifles are to have their bolts to the rear or breach open to expose the primer hole.

Once cleared all black powder rifles are to be placed in the rifle racks.

7.  Cease Fire: Anyone may call a "CEASE FIRE" for any reason.  Upon hearing the "CEASE FIRE" command, STOP shooting immediately, take your finger off the trigger, place the firearm on safe, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and remain in control of your firearm. Wait until you hear the next command.  The person who calls the cease fire or Range Safety Officer must also give the all clear.  In a match, when a cease fire is called all commands will be given by the Match Director or Match RSO

8.  Firearms Malfunctions:  In the event of a firearms malfunction, apply the appropriate immediate action making sure the muzzle of the firearm is pointed down range toward the backstop at all times.

9.  Oklahoma Self Defense Act (SDA) and Constitutional Carry (HB2597):  SDA and Constitutional Carry concealed carry and open carry laws are applicable and honored at TCGC.  Constitutional Carry (HB2597) will be effective on 11/01/19 per state law. Once implemented, individuals on our range who are carrying a firearm, pursuant to the Constitutional Carry law, will be required to follow the same rules currently listed in our Range Rules for SDA carry, and only carry the types of firearms listed in the Oklahoma Self Defense Act.  All firearms \ handguns carried must have the muzzle pointed down range or at the ground at TCGC.  Shoulder holsters that point the muzzle to the rear are prohibited. If you decide to shoot your open carry or concealed handgun, deliberate care and control must be taken when you remove your firearm from the holster to ensure the muzzle remains pointed at the ground or down range.  Once removed from the holster place it on the shooting bench before shooting it.  When it's removed from the holster to shoot, it must remain on the bench until you are through shooting and falls under the same rules for any firearm involved in a shooting activity.   When you have completed your shooting activities you may reload and re-holster your firearm at the shooting bench, then leave the range.  Again, care must be taken to ensure the muzzle remains pointed in a safe direction and that it does not sweep the firing line or other shooters.

10.  Release Triggers for Shotguns: Shotgun Shooters are permitted to shoot a shotgun with a release-type trigger.  To do so, all members of the squad must be notified. Guns with release-type triggers must be clearly marked with designated NSSA approved safety stickers. If a member of the squad or the referee is concerned about the safety of the release trigger they may request the release trigger shooter fire the round individually.  Guests must be 18 years old or older to shoot shotguns with release triggers. Stickers are available in the Center Skeet House and Stat House.

11.  Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition:  Firearms that are fully automatic, have bump triggers, hell fire devices, slide fire stocks, rifles and handguns with release triggers, binary triggers and all kinds of tracer, armor piercing and incendiary ammunition are prohibited.

12.  Firearm Restrictions on the Pistol and Short Ranges: 

• Shotguns are not allowed on the Pistol or Short Range. Handguns chambered in .410 such as a Governor or Judge are allowed on the Pistol Range and may use .410 gauge shotgun shells to include self-defense, slugs and bird shot.
• Handguns are not allowed on the Short Range except during the conduct of a scheduled match or practice session when an RSO to ensure the bullets are impacting the berm.
• 50 BMG is not allowed on the Short Range

13.  Shotgun Shot Size:  Only lead shot size 7 ½, 8, 9 or 10 or size 7 steel is to be used on the Shotgun Ranges and on the patterning board which is located on the north end of the Long Range.  Do not shoot slugs, rifles, or pistols at the patterning board.  On the Long Range, size 7 shot or larger (7, 6, 4, 2, buckshot etc.) may be shot only at member-provided cardboard targets, on wooden target frames, placed in front of a berm on the Long Range.  Shotgun slugs may be fired at club-provided targets.

14.  Gong and Steel Plate Type Targets:  Only club-provided steel targets may be used.  Gongs and Plates must be engaged from designated firing points only on the Long Range and Pistol Range. Members are not allowed to go forward of the firing line to engage in steel targets on the pistol range.  Gongs on the Long Range may be shot with a handgun or rifle cartridges - EXCEPT for the 50 BMG.  Gongs and Plates on the Pistol Range may be shot with pistol calibers and 22 Rim Fire.  Bullet velocity at the point of impact must be less than 3000 FPS.

15.  Pistol Range Firearms and Calibers:  On the Pistol Range, only pistol caliber handguns, e.g. 22, 25, 380, 38, 40, 44, 45 and 50 caliber as well as their metric equivalents and rifles chambered for .17 HMR and .22 rim fire (short, long, long rifle and WMR) are acceptable.  The following firearms with a stock (fixed, collapsible or folding) and chambered in pistol calibers .380, 9mm, 40 SW, 10mm and 45 ACP may be used on this Pistol Range.  Examples of these firearms are Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC's), Bull Pups, Short Barrel Rifles (SBR's), and Military Surplus Submachine guns modified to shoot only semi-automatic and modern replicas' of the same.  The priority of use for the Pistol Range is for pistol shooters, consequently members shooting these firearms should use another range when the pistol range is full. You may shoot .22 rim fire spinner targets on the Pistol Range as long as they are placed at the base of the berm to prevent ricochets.  22 Rim Fire Bullet Traps are allowed on the pistol range for precision marksmanship shooters.  Bullet Traps are to be mounted on member provided non-metallic tables or frames. Handguns that are designed principally to fire rifle cartridges such as the AK \ AR styled pistols in 7.62 x 39 or .223/5.56mm are not allowed.

16.  Approved Targets:  Paper targets (mounted to club-provided or member provided wooden target frames), plastic bottles, soda cans, self-sealing rubber spinner \ gong type targets and clay targets placed at the base or center of the berm may be shot on the Long Range and Pistol Range - cleanup is required.  Members are not allowed to bring and shoot any target that could cause a ricochet, such as steel targets and bowling pins.  Glass, exploding, pressurized plastic bottle type targets and concrete targets, as well as, golf balls are also prohibited.  Targets with faces of real people and political figures are prohibited.  Only paper targets are allowed on the Short Range, placed on the wooden target frames, the placement of any other type targets on the berm is prohibited.  Small steel animal targets are authorized for use on the Short Range during precision air rifle matches and practice.  Do not move target stands from range to range.

17.  Opening the Long Range:  If shooting alone on the Long Range, before you begin you must open the range by yelling out "IS ANYONE DOWN RANGE?" three times and making sure no one is down range. Then announce “The Long Range is Hot”.

18.  Red Flags on the Long Range at the 50 and 150 Yard Berms:  When going down range to the 200 yard Back Stop, make sure the range is  Cold, the Red Lights are turned on and raise the Red Flags behind the 50 and 150 yard berms to let members know you are down range.  The Red Flag flying down range at the 50 or 150 yard berms indicates someone is down range and the firing line on the Long Range must remain COLD.

19.  Driving Down Range on the Long Range:  Shooters may drive down range on the Long Range to place targets.  To do so the range must be Cold and all shooters on the range be informed the member is driving down range. Drive on the road on the south end of the range. When going down range, be sure to raise the 50 and 150 yard red flags so others will know you are there.  Once down range, raise the red flag behind the 150 yard berm so others will know you are there.  When you return, lower the flag, then make sure all shooters know you have returned before making the range HOT.  Do not drive on the backstops \ berms.

20.  Long Range Target Placement:  All targets on the Long Range must be placed immediately in front of a berm so when the bullet passes through it impacts the berm.  Short targets must be placed immediately in front of a 25, 50 or 75 yard berm.  Tall targets must be placed in front of a berm to insure the bullet directly impacts the Berm. 

21. Deflection Limiters on the Long Range Shooting Benches:  Deflection limiters are being installed on the Long Range shooting benches to prevent members from shooting out of safe to the north (toward Norman) and south.  All loaded firearms must be placed between these limiters. When engaging targets from the bench, all shooting must occur between these limiters.  All target engagements must be straight ahead, and bullets must impact the back stops.  Do not cross fire.

22. Drawing Handguns:  Members drawing and shooting handguns from a holster are only allowed on the Pistol Range.  To do so, the range must be clear of all other shooters. The shooter must be under the direct supervision of an RSO to provide support and over watch for the shooter.  Only hip holsters are allowed.  Pistols must have their mechanical safeties engaged and revolvers must have their hammers forward when the firearm is drawn from the holster.  Shooting from the hip or Cowboy shooting is not allowed.  Shooters may move forward of the firing line and must engage targets to their immediate front, movement from right to left is not permitted.  Targets must be placed immediately in front of the berm. Members who want to draw from the hip and engage targets moving from left to right should participate in the Practical Pistol Matches. Members are not allowed to draw to engage steel targets or engage them forward of the Firing Line.

23.  Shooting from Non-TCGC Property:  If you hear shooting coming from anywhere but TCGC, please call the Norman Police Dept. at 321-1444.