Ashton-Under-Lyne Rifle Club

Safety Rules

“PROVING” a gun means examining it to ensure that it is unloaded – not only to your satisfaction but also to the satisfaction of the Range Conducting Officer and other people.

This is achieved by opening the bolt /action and examining the chamber to ensure it is empty and there is a breach flag in place.

Safety at home

  1. Keep the gun and ammunition under lock and key.
  2. Keep the gun and ammunition separate where possible.
  3. Keep guns and ammunition away from children, (train children in the safety rules).

Safety in transit

  1. Carry your gun in a case and where possible, carry the ammunition separate.
  2. Keep the gun out of sight if carried in a car, put it in the boot and lock it.
  3. If you have to leave the gun , immobilise it by taking out the action.

Safety in the club off the range

  1. Always “PROVE” the gun when taking it from the case.
  2. Always “PROVE” the gun whenever it is handed from one person to another.
  3. Always carry a gun with the bolt/action open and insert a breach flag.
  4. Keep the gun and ammunition separate where possible.
  5. Never handle a gun without the owners permission.
  6. Never handle a gun if you do not know how it operates.
  7. Never try the trigger without specific permission.
  8. When “firing” an unloaded gun point it in a safe direction.
  9. Never load a gun except on the firing point.
  10. Never point a gun at anyone, not in fun even if know it is unloaded.
  11. Never leave a gun and/or ammunition unattended on the firing point.

Safety on the range

  1. A qualified Range Conducting Officer must be present on the range at all times when shooting is in progress.
  2. Do not handle guns while people are forward of the firing point.
  3. Do not load until you are told to do so by the Range Conducting Officer.
  4. Unload immediately when told to do so by the Range Conducting Officer.
  5. When a gun is loaded keep it pointing down the Range.
  6. After firing “PROVE THE GUN” and insert the breach flag.
  7. If you have to leave the Range or there is a disturbance unload the gun and leave the action open.
  8. If someone has to go forward of the firing point after the command “LOAD” unload, put the gun down and stand back from the firing point.
  9. If there is a malfunction put the gun down pointing down the Range and raise one hand to attract the Range Conducting Officers’ attention. Do not attempt to fire the shot or to clear the malfunction – that is the responsibility of the Range Conducting Officer.
  10. Always carry a gun with the bolt/action open.
  11. Never leave a gun and/or ammunition unattended on the firing point.