BTSA Range Rules for the Homestead Facility
Failure to comply with the above rules may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the Homestead range and/or the BTSA and APRA.
BTSA property and ranges may be under video surveillance.
Only BTSA members who have received a range orientation may use the ranges.
Approved members may bring guests, provided they have purchased guests passes.
All participants must use the range sign-in sheet and have their membership cards visible at all times. All guests must display a completed guest pass at all times while on the range.
Members are responsible for their guests and family members observing the range rules while on the range. Guests must be under the direct supervision of the member while they are shooting.
Children and pets must be under adult control at all times on the range.
All persons on the range must wear hearing and eye protection while shooting, it is strongly recommended that all shooters were eye protection at all times, regardless of the state of the firing line.
The entrance gate must remain locked at all times unless there is a scheduled event or competition underway which will involve non-approved club members or other competitors.
The first member on the range must raise the Red range-in-use flag and display the signage to indicate the range is in use. The last member to leave the range must lower the range-in-use flag and signage and ensure that the gate is locked.
Targets/target frames are to be placed immediately in front of the backstop berms only, with shooting distances paced back from the berm/targets (please view the Target section for more information).
Besides the following range safety rules, additional range safety rules may be implemented to cover club sanctioned events and competitions (including IPSC/IDPA) as the organizers see fit.
Please note that only "civilian" attire is acceptable on all APRA ranges. Absolutely no para-military clothing or equipment is tolerated on any APRA range, as para-military organizations are also not permitted on APRA ranges, only private citizens. Members of the military are welcome to join as civilians, but must train on military facilities should they wish to train with their equipment.
All shooters must be in compliance with Federal and Provincial laws and regulations with respect to safe storage, transportation, licensing, authorization, registration, and operation of all firearms.
Failure to comply with the range rules may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the Homestead range and/or the BTSA .
Members must check the Range Configuration to determine which range(s) are approved for the firearms and ammunition they intend to shoot and the distances they intend to shoot.
Members are responsible in ensuring that each firearm is being used on a range designated for that firearm and at the distance it is designated for.
Firearm Safety Rules
Firing Line Control
If an RSO (range safety officer) is overseeing range operations, all shooters must comply with the commands of the RSO. The RSO has absolute control of the firing line and authority on the range. RSO commands are to be obeyed immediately without question.
Anyone (shooters and observers) acting in an unsafe manner will receive a warning from the RSO and may be requested to immediately leave the range. The RSO will complete an incident report, which will be kept on file.
In the absence of an RSO, shooters are self-regulating and are responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves, all other shooters and any others on the range.
All shooters must shoot from the agreed firing line only.
Everyone must be behind the firing line before shooting can commence.
When the firing line is hot:
No firearm shall be loaded until the Commence Firing command has been given, or, if an RSO is supervising, until commanded by that RSO.
The following is a summary of Range Command sequences:
In the event of an emergency, any shooter may call out the command “CEASEFIRE,” at which point, all shooters must follow the commands of the RSO.
If acting as an RSO and an emergency ceasefire has been called, perform the following:
All ranges contain flag poles that swivel with a red and green flag on each end.
The last shooter to leave the range must set all flags to green.
Upon arrival at the range, if the red flag is not raised, range users should change the flag to red then inspect the range to ensure range is clear of any other range users before setting up.
On the 100/200 m rifle range or Jungle Run, the range should be inspected to ensure there is no other users are present on the range (i.e. – behind the 100-metre berm, setting up targets inside the jungle run) before setting up.
The Red flag must be raised before any handling of firearms can occur.
Safe Handling Tables
An RSO may establish a safe handling table.
A safe handling table MUST:
On a safe handling table, a shooter may do the following, provided their firearms are pointed in a safe direction at all times:
At a safe handling table, shooters MUST NOT:
Firearms may only be brought to the firing line when the range is hot.
When the range is hot, muzzles must always be pointed downrange and under control on the firing line while.
When the range is cold, long gun muzzles must be pointed upwards while being moved to and from storage racks.
No firearm shall be loaded until it is in a horizontal position with the muzzle pointed downrange, after the Commence Firing command has been given.
The muzzle should not be pointed above the berm behind it.
Muzzle loading firearms must be loaded at the firing line only. If a Ceasefire is called while they are loaded they must be uncapped (the percussion cap removed) or unprimed (remove priming powder) before being removed from the firing line. Muzzle loading firearms can be capped or primed at the firing line only.
All firearms must be unloaded, with actions open and any magazines removed and properly racked or stored when not being used for shooting.
Remember the Four Rules of Firearms Safety
1. All Guns Are Always Loaded
2. Never Let The Muzzle Cover Anything You Are Not Willing To Destroy
3. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target
4. Be Sure Of Your Target
General
For general member use of the facility the following rules with respect to targets MUST be adhered to by BTSA members:
Targets can be placed, changed or taken down only when a Ceasefire has been called and the firing line has been made safe.
No one is to go forward of an established firing line when the line is hot for ANY reason.
All target frames must be placed immediately in front of the berm into which the bullets will be shot.
Aerial targets (sporting clays) are prohibited.
Paper targets mounted on wooden frames are acceptable (and preferred) targets.
Non-explosive, non-metallic soft targets that do not create excess waste debris are acceptable provided:
Examples of ACCEPTABLE targets:
Examples of PROHIBITED targets:
Any member caught shooting at unapproved targets or any target in an unsafe or prohibited fashion will be subject to disciplinary actions including being charged to repair damage to club fixtures, expulsion from the club with temporary or permanent revocation of membership, or being reported to law enforcement.
Guidelines for Steel Targets
Target shooting is a safe recreational activity, however there are specific guidelines for shooting at steel targets that members MUST adhere to. Non-compliance with these guidelines may create an unsafe situation or result in costly damage to club targets.
Only steel and metal targets approved by the board of directors may be shot on these ranges under supervision of board approved BTSA members.
Prior to setting up steel targets, all members must visually inspect the targets to ensure they are in serviceable condition.
The following critical guidelines must be adhered to by all members shooting steel targets:
Guidelines for the “Jungle Run”
The Walking Trail/Jungle Run is closed and not to be used except for during club sanctioned events and matches. Members and guests found using this range without authorization will be subject to disciplinary action.Absolutely no horseplay, careless handling or distracting activity is allowed by shooters or spectators while shooting is occurring.
No shooting at anything that may cause dangerous debris or bullet ricochets.
No intentional shooting of target frames or other club equipment.
Shooters must ensure bullet trajectory is into the berm behind the target they are shooting at.
Shooters are to remove their targets, pick up their brass and clean up the area when done shooting.
The consumption of alcohol or any controlled substance before or while shooting is occurring by shooters or spectators is prohibited. During a club sanctioned event, after all shooting activities have terminated and all firearms have been cased and stored away, the consumption of alcohol may be allowed at the discretion of the event director.
The handling of firearms while under the influence of alcohol or any substance that impairs judgement is prohibited.
Shooters using the range are to note and report any signs of vandalism or damage, unsafe conditions, or instances of inappropriate or unsafe behaviour by other range users by completing an incident report. Copies of the incident report form are kept in the cabinet with the sign-in book. If the range is found in an unsafe condition upon arrival, no shooting will take place until the range is once again in a safe condition.
Failure to comply with the above rules may result in temporary or permanent suspension from the Homestead range and/or the BTSA and APRA.
Buffalo Target Shooters Association
PO Box 394
300, 8120 Beddington Blvd NW
Calgary Alberta T3K 2A8