Range Safety & Procedures

1.1 Follow the four rules of firearms safety at all times

1.1.1 Rule 1

Know and be able to justify the condition of your firearms at all times.

1.1.2 Rule 2

Keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.

1.1.3 Rule 3

Keep your finger out of the trigger guard when not actively engaging targets.

1.1.4 Rule 4

Know your target, its background, and its foreground before engagement.

1.2 Cold Range

PCSL matches operate as cold range events. This means that all firearms must remain free of all live ammunition in their chambers, actions, and inserted or attached magazines or cylinders unless under the direct supervision of an RO, or safely handled while at a designated function fire area (Section 1.7). Violations shall result in a Match DQ (15.6).

1.3 Handling of firearms while on the range

1.3.1 Approved handling conditions

Any direct handling of firearms outside of their respective bags, scabbards that completely cover the muzzle, barrel, action, and trigger (for long guns), carts that hold long guns with their muzzles in a safe direction as to not flag any competitor, cases, or worn holsters (for handguns) must occur under one of the following conditions:

1.3.1.1 On a course of fire

Under direct supervision of an RO being issued the “Make Ready” command and before the “Range Is Clear” command.

1.3.1.2 Near side berm or safe area

Within 6 feet of a side berm or at a designated safe area, only while pointing the firearms directly at the berm or designated backstop (see Glossary), and as long as the competitor remains reasonably uprange of the rearmost section of the active course of fire on that bay, if any exists.

1.3.1.3 Long gun carry

For a long gun: carried with the muzzle vertically up or down, to or from a course of fire.

1.3.1.4 Slung long gun

A long gun may be carried slung by a competitor throughout the match only if it is unloaded as defined by Section 1.4, and the competitor maintains proper muzzle discipline at all times, such as when sitting or bending over.

1.3.1.5 Detachable holster

A detachable holster carrying a competitor’s handgun may be detached from the competitor’s belt if the competitor is in compliance with 1.3.1.2 and keeps the holstered muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.

1.3.1.6 Function fire area

At a designated function fire area, following the safety procedures outlined in Section 1.7.

1.3.2 Consequences

See Section 13.2 for consequences of unsafe handling of firearms. If the offending individual is a spectator or other non-competitor, they may be warned or ejected from the range property by match officials.

1.4 Loaded, Unloaded, and Inert Firearms

1.4.1 Loaded firearms

Loaded firearms meet any of these conditions:

1.4.1.1 Chambered cartridge

A cartridge is chambered, or otherwise inside the magwell or action of the gun in any condition (such as after a malfunction).

1.4.1.2 Brass casing present

A brass casing, whether fired or unfired, is inside the magwell or action of the gun in any condition (such as after a malfunction).

1.4.1.3 Magazine inserted

A magazine or other ammunition feeding device is inserted, even partially, into the firearm, even if the ammunition feeding device is free of ammunition. A shotgun with a shell held in the matchsaver is not considered a loaded firearm.

1.4.1.3.1 Exception for fixed tubes

Does not apply to shotguns with fixed magazine tubes.

1.4.2 Inert Firearms

Inert Firearms can only be long guns and must meet one of the following two conditions:

1.4.2.1 Unloaded and slung

The long gun starts unloaded and slung as specifically required by the stage’s WSB and the RO has verified the long gun’s unloaded condition as part of the make ready process.

1.4.2.2 DMT process (Carbine Only)

The carbine has been unloaded via the proper DMT process as specifically required by the stage’s WSB.

1.4.2.3 Flagging/180 exceptions

For inert & slung firearms only, 15.3 and 15.4 do not apply.

1.4.3 Unloaded firearms

Any firearm outside of the scope of 1.4.1 is considered Unloaded. “Completely Unloaded” and “Unloaded” may be used interchangeably. No distinction is made between these terms.

1.4.3.1 Inert definition

Inert firearms are unloaded by definition.

1.5 Empty Chamber Indicators (ECIs)/Chamber Flags

ECIs are not required unless the host range chooses to require them. In this case, all long guns transported outside of a case or bag that completely covers and secures the entire action and trigger of the firearm must have an ECI inserted in the action in such a way that the ECI is clearly visible, and the action of the firearm is held open.

1.5.1 Prohibited ECIs

Live rounds or spent casings/shells shall never be permitted as an acceptable ECI.

1.6 Eye & Ear Protection

1.6.1 Eye protection

Eye protection must be worn by every individual (even non-competitors) at all times while on the range during shooting hours.

1.6.2 Ear protection

Ear protection must be worn by each competitor as they are shooting, and is highly recommended to be worn by any individual on the range during shooting hours.

1.6.3 Loss mid-stage

Unintentionally losing eye or ear protection mid-stage - See Section 8.7

1.7 Function Fire or Practice Areas

1.7.1 Designation

A function fire or practice area may be designated for competitor use throughout the operating hours of the match.

1.7.2 Range officers

These areas may have dedicated range officers appointed to them - this is up to the match director and range specific procedures.

1.7.3 Firing positions

The only acceptable firing positions will be along a firing line designated by markers or tables.

1.7.4 Safe direction

While handling firearms on the firing line, the only safe direction is considered squarely downrange with 30 degrees of tolerance to both the left and right.

1.7.5 Ceasefire requests

Any competitor may ask for a ceasefire in order to set or repair targets, or to move past the firing line for another reason (such as to retrieve an item).

1.7.5.1 Ceasefire procedures

Before a ceasefire commences, and until the range is cleared hot again, on the designated firing line no firearms may be handled, remain loaded in any condition, or left pointing down range or in any other unsafe direction. Instead they must be bagged, holstered, or repositioned to face into and be within 6ft of a side berm or backstop.

1.8 Minimum Target Engagement Distance for Steel Targets

1.8.1 Rifle calibers and slugs

For rifle calibers and shotgun slugs, no steel target shall be engaged within 50 yards or 40 yards for targets with a minimum 15 degree forward cant toward the shooting position.

1.8.2 Pistol calibers or buckshot

For pistol calibers or buckshot, no steel target shall be engaged within 7 yards.

1.8.3 Birdshot

For shotgun birdshot, no steel target shall be engaged within 5 yards.

1.9 Failure to adhere

Failure to adhere to the Range Safety rules outlined in Section 1.1 by any person (competitor, spectator, or otherwise) shall result in appropriate consequences as outlined in Section 13 (Strikes), Section 14 (Stage DQs), and Section 15 (Match DQs). The RM must be called to directly handle these cases.