Range Rules

MONTROSE ROD & GUN CLUB

COMPREHENSIVE RANGE RULES OUTLINE

I. FUNDAMENTAL FIREARM SAFETY RULES

These rules apply at all times and on all MRGC ranges.

  1. TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED.
  2. NEVER ALLOW THE MUZZLE TO COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.
  3. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.
  4. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET, ITS SURROUNDINGS, AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.

II. GENERAL RANGE SAFETY

  • NO HANDLING OR TOUCHING FIREARMS WHEN ANYONE IS DOWNRANGE.
  • Firearms must remain pointed in a safe direction and downrange.
  • Shooting from behind another shooter or behind the established firing line is strictly prohibited.
  • Violation of firing-line or downrange safety rules may result in immediate PIN deactivation and removal of range privileges pending Board review.
  • Eye and ear protection are required while shooting or while on an active firing range.
  • NO alcohol or illegal drugs are permitted on MRGC ranges.
  • Members must immediately report unsafe conditions, unsafe behavior, damage, or defective equipment to a Board member.

III. MEMBER ACCESS & SECURITY

  • Gate combinations and individual PIN numbers are for authorized member/household use only.
  • Members shall not provide gate combinations or PIN numbers to unauthorized individuals.
  • Members are responsible for securing gates and facilities when leaving.
  • At the Indoor Range, the gate may remain open while the facility is occupied to facilitate emergency-vehicle access.
  • The Indoor Range gate must be locked when the last member leaves.
  • A member whose access privileges have been suspended or PIN deactivated may not enter or use MRGC facilities until authorized by the Board.
  • Entering MRGC property after access privileges have been suspended may be treated as unauthorized entry and may result in law-enforcement involvement.

IV. MINORS

  • Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an MRGC member who is 21 years of age or older.
  • The supervising member is responsible for ensuring the minor follows all MRGC safety and range rules.

V. GUEST POLICY

  • A member may bring one guest.
  • The sponsoring member is responsible for the conduct and safety of the guest.
  • The sponsoring member is responsible for ensuring the guest understands and follows all applicable range rules.
  • Members may be held responsible for damage caused by their guests.
  • A serious safety violation or other range-rule violation by a guest may result in deactivation of the sponsoring member’s PIN and suspension of range privileges pending Board review.
  • Members are encouraged to use the Outdoor Range when bringing guests when practical.

VI. MEMBERSHIP & RENEWAL

  • The MRGC membership year begins September 1.
  • Membership renewal begins September 1 each year.
  • Memberships are not prorated, regardless of the date a person initially joins.
  • Members are responsible for maintaining their membership and complying with current MRGC policies and rules.

VII. RANGE CLEANLINESS

LEAVE THE RANGE CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

Members must:

  • Pick up all trash.
  • Pick up spent brass, including .22 LR brass.
  • Remove used targets.
  • Remove ammunition boxes, tape, staples, target debris, and other items brought onto the range.
  • Empty full trash cans into the appropriate dumpster.
  • Clean up after guests.
  • Leave firing points and common areas ready for the next member.

VIII. MRGC PROPERTY & EQUIPMENT

  • Return target stands, benches, chairs, rests, and other MRGC equipment to their designated storage locations.
  • MRGC property shall not be removed from club facilities without Board authorization.
  • This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Chairs
    • Tables
    • Benches
    • Target stands
    • Firearms
    • Range equipment
    • Tools
    • Other club-owned property
  • Members shall not leave, donate, or drop off equipment, furniture, targets, or other property at MRGC facilities without prior Board approval.
  • Broken, damaged, or missing equipment must be reported.

IX. DAMAGE & UNSAFE CONDITIONS

Members must report:

  • Damage to MRGC property.
  • Damage to target systems.
  • Damage to buildings, gates, fences, or range structures.
  • Broken or malfunctioning equipment.
  • Unsafe range conditions.
  • Serious safety violations.
  • Other conditions that could create a hazard to members, guests, or the public.

Do not assume someone else has already reported the problem.

X. CONDUCT

Members and guests are expected to conduct themselves safely, responsibly, and respectfully.

The following may result in immediate suspension of range access pending Board review:

  • Reckless firearm handling.
  • Intentionally disregarding range commands.
  • Shooting from an unsafe position.
  • Shooting behind another shooter.
  • Threatening or aggressive behavior.
  • Harassment.
  • Intentionally damaging MRGC property.
  • Repeated refusal to follow range rules.
  • Other conduct that creates an unreasonable safety risk or substantially interferes with safe range operations.

XI. CLASSES, TRAINING & PUBLIC EVENTS

  • Classes or events open to the public that are not MRGC-sponsored require prior Board approval.
  • An instructor may not independently use MRGC facilities for public instruction without authorization.
  • Required documentation must be submitted and approved before the event or class occurs.
  • Documentation includes, as applicable:
    • Proof/certificate of instructor insurance.
    • Completed MRGC Facility Use Agreement.
    • First aide/Stop the Bleed certification.
    • Any other documentation required by the Board.
  • Board approval must be obtained before advertising, scheduling, or conducting the event at MRGC facilities.

INDOOR RANGE

XII. INDOOR RANGE — GENERAL SAFETY

  • NO FIREARM MAY BE HANDLED WHILE ANYONE IS DOWNRANGE.
  • All shooters must establish and respect the active firing line.
  • NO SHOOTER MAY FIRE FROM BEHIND ANOTHER SHOOTER.

Example: If a shooter is firing from the 15-foot line, another shooter may not stand at the 50-foot line and fire from behind that person.

Allowing a guest to fire from behind another shooter is also the sponsoring member’s responsibility.

  • Serious firing-line violations may result in immediate Indoor Range lockout pending Board review.
  • The muzzle must remain safely oriented downrange.
  • DO NOT point the muzzle toward the ceiling, including while drawing from a holster.
  • Use additional caution when shooting forward of the 21-foot line.

XIII. INDOOR RANGE — FIRING AREA

  • Handguns may be fired from within the established 9-foot firing line to the 50-foot target line, subject to all other range rules.
  • Shooters must coordinate firing positions when multiple people are using the range.
  • No person may move downrange until the range is clearly made safe and all shooters understand that a cease-fire is in effect.

XIV. INDOOR RANGE — TARGETS

  • PAPER TARGETS ONLY.
  • Targets must be positioned within the designated white target area.
  • Targets must be positioned so rounds safely impact the intended backstop.
  • Do not intentionally shoot target frames, carriers, walls, ceiling, floor, lights, or other range equipment.

XV. INDOOR RANGE — AMMUNITION & CALIBER RESTRICTIONS

Handguns/Revolvers

Approved calibers include:

  • .22 Short
  • .22 Long
  • .22 Long Rifle
  • .25 ACP
  • .30 Luger
  • .30 Mauser
  • .32 Short Colt
  • .32 Long Colt
  • .32-20 Winchester
  • .38 Auto
  • .380 Auto
  • 9×18 Makarov
  • 9mm Luger
  • .38 Special
  • .38 S&W
  • .38-40 Winchester
  • .40 S&W
  • .41 Special
  • .44-40 Winchester
  • .44 Special
  • .45 ACP
  • .45 Auto Rim
  • .45 Colt

PROHIBITED:

  • Magnum loads.
  • Magnum-type loads.
  • +P ammunition.
  • Shotguns.

Jacketed or Lead Ammunition

Jacketed or lead bullets may be used in approved calibers including:

  • .380 ACP
  • 9mm
  • .40 S&W
  • .45 ACP

No +P loads.

Lead-Bullet Restrictions

Where lead-only ammunition is required:

  • Bullets weighing 250 grains or less are limited to 1,000 fps or less.
  • Bullets weighing 251 grains or more are limited to 900 fps or less.
  • Maximum bullet weight is 350 grains, subject to the applicable velocity restriction.

XVI. INDOOR RANGE — APPROVED RIFLE CALIBERS

Approved rifle calibers/cartridges include:

  • .22 Short
  • .22 Long
  • .22 Long Rifle
  • .30 Carbine
  • .32 Long
  • .32-20
  • .38 Special
  • .38-40
  • .41 Special
  • .44 Special
  • .44-40
  • .45 ACP
  • .45 Colt
  • .300 Blackout
  • NO CENTERFIRE RIFLE CARTIDGES ALLOWED (i.e. 223/5.56 Nato)

All ammunition must comply with applicable Indoor Range bullet-type, weight, and velocity restrictions.

XVII. INDOOR RANGE — SHOTGUNS

SHOTGUNS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE INDOOR RANGE.

XVIII. INDOOR RANGE — CLOSING PROCEDURE

Before leaving:

  • Clean your firing area.
  • Pick up brass and trash.
  • Remove targets.
  • Return MRGC equipment.
  • Turn off the ventilation system.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Check that the facility is secure.
  • Lock the gate when leaving if you are the last member present.

OUTDOOR RANGE

XIX. PISTOL BAYS 1–3

Bays 1–3 are located on the west side of the Outdoor Range.

Permitted firearms include:

  • Pistols.
  • Revolvers.
  • .22 LR rifles.
  • Approved Cowboy Action firearms using appropriate Cowboy loads.

Additional rules:

  • Minimum distance for shooting steel: 10 yards.
  • Do not fire centerfire magnum loads at steel targets.
  • Pistol-caliber carbines are permitted in the pistol bays.
  • Always position yourself and your targets so rounds impact the designated berm.

XX. BAY 4

  • PAPER TARGETS ONLY.
  • Centerfire rifle cartridges are permitted on Bay 4.
  • Shotguns firing slugs are permitted on Bay 4.
  • Target stands are available at Bay 4.
  • Shooters are responsible for returning target stands after use.
  • Position targets so all rounds safely impact the designated backstop.

XXI. RIFLE RANGE

Fixed steel targets are located at approximately:

  • 98 yards
  • 165 yards
  • 227 yards
  • 328 yards
  • 417 yards
  • 499 yards
  • 565 yards

Additional silhouette targets may include:

  • Chicken — approximately 22 yards
  • Pig — approximately 300 yards
  • Deer — approximately 345 yards
  • Bear — approximately 345 yards
  • Turkey — approximately 385 yards
  • Buffalo — approximately 499 yards
  • Ram — approximately 567 yards

Target stands, shooting rests, benches, and related equipment are stored on the east side of the range.

XXII. RIFLE RANGE — CEASE-FIRE/DOWNRANGE PROCEDURE

NO FIREARMS MAY BE HANDLED WHILE ANYONE IS DOWNRANGE.

Before going downrange:

  1. Coordinate the cease-fire with all shooters.
  2. Ensure all shooting has stopped.
  3. Sound ONE blast to alert shooters on the pistol berms and shotgun range that someone is going downrange.
  4. Confirm the range is safe before anyone moves forward of the firing line.
  5. Do not handle firearms while people are downrange.

When everyone has returned:

  1. Confirm everyone is safely behind the firing line.
  2. Confirm the range is clear.
  3. Sound TWO blasts to indicate that firing may resume.

Be considerate of other shooters. Bring targets back to the firing line when practical to inspect or discuss them rather than unnecessarily extending a cease-fire.

XXIII. RIFLE RANGE — TARGET STANDS

  • MRGC target stands are intended for approved rifle and pistol shooting.
  • Do not shoot target stands with shotguns.
  • Return target stands to their designated storage location after use.
  • Report damaged stands or equipment.

SHOTGUN RANGE

XXIV. SHOTGUN RANGE OPERATIONS

  • The Shotgun Range operates during scheduled shooting times.
  • Members should consult the MRGC calendar for current dates and times.
  • Shotgun activities are governed by the applicable Shotgun Range rules and the Shotgun Chief Range Officers.
  • Follow all instructions issued by the Chief Range Officer or designated Range Officer during organized shotgun activities.

XXV. PATTERN PLATE

  • A shotgun pattern plate is available at the Shotgun Range.
  • Use the pattern plate only for its intended purpose.
  • Follow posted restrictions and Shotgun Range procedures.

ENFORCEMENT & MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

XXVI. EVERY MEMBER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RANGE SAFETY

Membership at MRGC carries the responsibility to:

  • Know the rules.
  • Follow the rules.
  • Ensure guests follow the rules.
  • Protect MRGC property.
  • Report hazards and damage.
  • Respect cease-fires and firing lines.
  • Leave the facilities clean and secure.

Membership and possession of a range-access PIN do not exempt anyone from these requirements.

XXVII. RANGE PRIVILEGES

Depending upon the seriousness of the violation, failure to follow MRGC rules may result in:

  • Immediate direction to stop shooting.
  • Removal from the range.
  • Temporary PIN deactivation.
  • Suspension of range privileges pending Board review.
  • Responsibility for damage caused to MRGC property.
  • Additional disciplinary action authorized under MRGC bylaws or policies.
  • Referral to law enforcement when circumstances warrant.

WHEN IN DOUBT — STOP.

If you are unsure whether a firearm, ammunition type, target, activity, or procedure is permitted, do not proceed until you have verified the applicable MRGC rule or received authorization from the appropriate MRGC representative.