Tuesday Night Safety Rules

 

1.     In general prior to entering DCWC property, ensure firearm is un-loaded, chamber empty and magazine out.

 

2.     Only for Tuesday Night matches may you perform the following actions at your car, prior to entering the pistol range.

a.  Put on a good quality holster that is designed for your firearm

b.  Place the empty firearm in the holster

 

3.   This is a COLD RANGE; once the firearm is holstered or bagged it is NOT to be touched until Range Office gives the            command.

 

Quality ear and eye protection is required to be worn when shooting on this range or any range.

 

Handle all firearms as if they were loaded.

 

Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. The only safe direction on this range is at the back embankment.

 

Keep your finger out of the gun’s trigger guard and off the trigger until you have aligned the gun’s sights on a safe target and you have made the decision to fire.

 

Always be certain that your target and the surrounding area are safe before firing. Know your target and what is beyond it.

 

Before firing your weapon, you should routinely make sure that your firearm is in good working order and that the barrel is clear of dirt and obstructions.

 

Whenever you handle a firearm, the first thing you should do (while keeping it pointed in a safe direction with your finger outside the trigger guard) is to open the action to determine whether or not the firearm is loaded.

 

Only use ammunition recommended by the firearm manufacturer, and always be certain that the ammunition matches the caliber of your gun.

 

Never use firearms while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 

Thoroughly read the instruction manual supplied with your firearm.

The 4 Laws of Gun Safety from IDPA Website

The more often you handle guns the more likely someday you will have a Negligent Discharge (ND)! It's just a matter of when, where, and under what circumstances. If you are obeying the 4 Laws of Gun Safety when it happens, it will be VERY scary.
IF YOU'RE NOT, IT COULD BE VERY TRAGIC!

The 1^st Law of Gun Safety - The Gun Is Always Loaded!   EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe manner, control your muzzle, and always treat it as a loaded gun. You should VISUALLY inspect your gun's chamber every time you pick it up even if you just sat it down moments before. It may seem redundant but establishing good habits may save a tragedy during a moment of "brain-fade". Remove all ammunition and loaded magazines from the immediate area when handling any gun. Also, if you hand someone your gun, VISUALLY show them the empty chamber and accept no less in return! An experienced gun handler would never feel insulted.

The 2^nd Law of Gun Safety - Never Point A Gun At Something You're Not Prepared To Destroy!              The best way to handle a gun is to imagine the worst case scenario: Assume your "empty" gun is loaded and that it's going to function PERFECTLY! When you press the trigger it will FIRE! Since you are prepared for that, you should only point the gun in a safe direction - never allowing the muzzle to sweep you or someone else. That way, if "brain-fade" does result in a Negligent Discharge (ND) , it will be into a safe impact area and there won't be a tragedy.

The 3^rd Law of Gun Safety - Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It!    Bullets can penetrate lots of things, many of which may surprise you. Identify your target before firing - even before dry-firing. If you are not sure, DON'T FIRE! Just as important, make sure there's a safe impact area behind your target. For home dry-fire practice, find and aim only at a BULLET PROOF BACKSTOP. Even though you have checked and double-checked your gun, you should still treat your gun as though it's loaded and functional. Plasterboard walls and outer walls are not bulletproof. A handgun bullet can easily travel through several rooms before stopping. Who is in these rooms? If you're not sure, and you still aimed in that direction, SHAME ON YOU!

The 4^th Law of Gun Safety - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target!   KEEP YOUR FINGER OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD! Almost all Negligent Discharges (ND) are caused by placing the finger on the trigger when you aren't prepared to fire. A finger on the trigger during reloading, during movement, during the draw, holstering, or while clearing a jam have led to several Negligent Discharges (ND). It's difficult to isolate the trigger finger from the muscles required to hold the gun firmly - they all want to contract together. It can be especially difficult under stress and anxiety. Therefore, THE FINGER SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL THE INSTANT YOU ARE PREPARED TO FIRE! This holds true even if you find yourself in a legitimate self-defense situation.

In conclusion, you should take personal responsibility for the safety of your guns and for those persons you permit to handle them. Remember, even those with experience may have bad habits that die hard! Keep guns safely out of the hands of children, people that aren't trained or responsible, and especially THIEVES! If you enjoy your gun hobby, it's up to you to prevent a personal tragedy - while giving others the propaganda they need to take it away. More people would enjoy guns if properly socialized so do your part to keep it safe and fun!

IDPA Range Commands

 

Follow all ranges commands immediately.

 

STOP or Cease-fire - anyone may YELL this command if the shooters are grossly unsafe and/or any unsafe condition exist, and/or equipment/prop issue has arisen. Shooter is to immediately stop firing, stop moving, freeze in place, and wait for instructions from the range officer.

 

FINGER - for trigger guard violations, shooter has finger on trigger in an unsafe manner. Shooter is to immediately correct the unsafe condition.

 

MUZZLE - shooter’s muzzle not pointed downrange or is pointed in any unsafe direction. Shooter is to immediately point muzzle in a safe direction.

 

COVER  - (IDPA only), the shooter’s A-Zone is more than 50% exposed to a threat target and/or foot/leg is beyond the outside the edge of cover.

 

 

Empty firearms will be holstered after safety check with slide down.

 

IDPA Prepare to fire Commands

 

Any questions in regards to the course of fire?

 

Load and Make Ready

 

Shooter Ready?

o       Shooter indicates they are ready.

 

Standby

o       Execute the start signal. (Within 3 seconds)

o       Shooter executes course of fire.

o       Ask if the shooter is through?

 

Unload and show clear.

o       Magazine out or Cylinder Open

o       Slide lock back

o       Range office MUST SEE the empty chambers.

o       Slide down or Close Cylinder, close the slide.

o       Hammer down, must actually PULL the TRIGGER while weapon is pointed at the berm.

 

Holster

 

Range is Safe!

DO NOT move forward of shooter to paste targets until you actually hear the command range is safe.

PPC

Empty firearms will be holstered with slide locked back.

 

Is the line ready to begin?

o       Check to make sure everyone indicates their readiness to begin.

 

You may load and holster.

o       Wait for everyone to load and holster firearm

 

Is the line ready?

o       Check the line to ensure everyone is ready.

 

Standby

o       Whistle

o       Shooters drawn and shoot the course of fire.

o       Whistle or Cease-fire command to stop shooting.

o       Check to make sure everyone is through

 

Unload and show clean.

o       Magazines out, Cylinders empty.

o       Holster firearm with slide lock back.

o       Check everyone has safely holstered firearm.

 

Range is Safe

 

Go forward and score.