Range Rules

RANGE SAFETY RULES

It is your responsibility to understand and follow these rules at all times. If you observe anyone not following the rules, please advise them accordingly.

  1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
  2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
  3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
  4. Uncase firearms ONLY at the firing line or designated safe area and only in compliance with all other range rules (never while people are down range). Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction while casing or uncasing.
  5. Before anyone moves forward of the firing line, all firearms on the firing line must be laid on the table, muzzle pointed down range, slides open, magazines out, cylinders open and empty.  The range officer must visually check each firearm on the line before calling the line safe and giving the command to move forward to change targets.
  6. When shooters are forward of the firing line, ALL others must stay behind the safety line, clear of the firing line bench.  ABSOLUTELY NO HANDLING OF FIREARMS IS PERMITTED AT THIS TIME.
  7. Loaded firearms must NEVER be left unattended.
  8. Before you hand someone a firearm for inspection, remove the magazine, open the action or cylinder (if revolver), and make certain the chamber(s) are empty and then present it with the action still open and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
  9. Dry firing, inspection and repair of firearms MUST be done at the firing line bench or in a designated safe area.  Live ammunition is not permitted in any area designated as a safe area.
  10. When two or more persons are using the range in non-organized shooting, the first person to arrive will assume the duty of range officer or the range officer may be selected by the shooters present.
  11. All persons on the range will load, fire, or move forward of the firing line ONLY after range officer has given the command to do so.
  12. The use of Club property or facilities while under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating drug or consumption of either while on club property is strictly prohibited.
  13.  Club members who have been “Action Pistol Certified” may shoot from in front of the firing line on both ranges (indoor or outdoor) and draw from a strong-side holster.  The criteria required to become “Action Pistol Certified”) are as follows:

1) Have successfully completed the NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home course or another self defense oriented course approved by the Board of Directors within the last 5 years or,

2) Have active classifications in IDPA, USPSA, or ICORE practical shooting sports or,

3) Are active or retired law enforcement officers (regardless of whether their department is a member or not).

All members who wish to obtain Action Pistol certification (except law enforcement officers) are required to attend one monthly members’ meeting and present their credentials to a club officer or trustee.  Acceptable credentials are PPOH course certificate, other defensive pistol course certificate, PPOH instructor rating card or current classification records from IDPA, USPSA or ICORE.  A club office or trustee will endorse the back of their membership card thus designating the member as “Action Pistol Certified”.  Law enforcement officers may simply display their credentials when they wish to shoot in front of the line.

Members may only shoot forward of the line when no one else is using the range on which they wish to shoot.  Should others arrive and wish to use the same range from the bench position, the member who is shooting forward of the line must move to a shooting position behind the line within fifteen (15) minutes.

Only one active shooter may fire forward of the line unless under the direction of an instructor during a club sanctioned training class or event.

Guests are NOT permitted to shoot forward of the line unless participating in a club sanctioned event or training course which requires this type of shooting being administered by a Club authorized Instructor or Safety Officer.

The only holsters, which are allowed, are strong-side outside or inside the waistband holsters and a woman’s hand bag with shoulder strap.  Under NO circumstances will other holsters be allowed including, but not limited to, cross-draw, shoulder holsters, small-of-the back, “smart” carry, fanny packs, or ankle holsters.

  1. The above safety rules notwithstanding, a club officer, trustee, or NRA Certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) has the authority and the duty to ensure the range is safe.  If at any time the club officer, trustee or RSO, feels that shooting in front of the line (or even behind the line) does not meet the club’s strict safety criteria, the aforementioned person has the absolute authority to require all shooters to shoot from behind the firing line (if the violation involves shooting forward of the firing line) or take any other action he feels in necessary to make the range safe.  If a shooter does not comply, they may be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension or revocation of their club membership.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

  1. Indoor range hours are 8AM to 10PM; outdoor range hours are 8PM to Dusk. Note: New members who have not taken the required safety course must shoot when an RSO is on duty; Sunday 9AM to 12 noon; Monday 7-9 PM; Thursday 7-9PM.
  2. Membership cards must be visibly displayed at all times.
  3. Indoor and outdoor ranges may be used at the same time.
  4. You may shoot alone on the outdoor and indoor range; however, it is strongly recommended that you have someone with you.
  5. Range fees: members $2.00, guests $5.00; instructors $10.00 per student.  This applies to either the indoor or the outdoor range.
  6. All shooters (members, guests and students) are required to sign the appropriate logbook and pay the required fee.
  7. All shooters and spectators are required to wear hearing and eye protection at all times while on either range or in close proximity thereto.
  8. Magnum loads or loads with a velocity greater than 1500 f.p.s. but less than 1850 f.p.s are permitted only in the steel de-accelerator outdoor traps.
  9. Rim-fire and pistol caliber rifles with projectile velocities of less than 1500 f.p.s. and air guns are permitted in all positions on both ranges. All handgun / cartridge combinations with velocities less than 1500 f.p.s. are allowed at all indoor and outdoor positions.
  10. Black powder pistols are permitted on the outdoor range only.  Black powder rifles are absolutely prohibited.
  11. Centerfire rifle cartridges are absolutely prohibited.
  12. Each member must swipe his key-fob when entering the grounds and the club house.
  13. All junior members, 17 years of age and younger, must be accompanied by the appropriate adult member (parent or guardian) and may not shoot unsupervised.
  14. Each member is limited to two (2) guests at a time. The club member is fully responsible for the conduct and actions of their guest(s).
  15. Post only paper targets on a backer in each firing lane, at eye level from the intended shooting position. Use of non-paper targets is permitted only during club sanctioned events except that club supplied and sanctioned reactive targets are allowed on both ranges at all times.

PISTOL CALIBER RIFLE RULES OF USE

Pistol Caliber Rifle Definition: A rifle or carbine with a barrel length of 16” or greater, chambered for commonly accepted handgun cartridges, that do not exceed 1500 feet per second(f.p.s.) muzzle velocity from the rifle being used. +P or +P+ rated ammunition is not permitted. Common Magnum Calibers (.22WRM, .357 & .44) are covered in 3.) below.

  1. The use of rifles / carbines defined above are only authorized for use under the direct supervision of a Phillipsburg Pistol Club (PPC) appointed Range Safety Officer (RSO) at regularly scheduled shooting events. The rifle shooters must identify themselves, the rifle and ammunition intended for use. These caliber rifles are prohibited at all other times.
  2. The PPC assigned RSO has the authority to dis-allow any rifle / cartridge combination deemed inappropriate under these rules.
  3. Cartridges that exceed 1500 f.p.s. but do not exceed 1850 f.p.s. will be limited to the three steel de-accelerator cabinets on the outdoor range.
  4. Absolutely NO centerfire rifle caliber ammunition is to be used at any firing position. Examples: .17HMR(2350fps), 5.7x28mm(2300-2800fps), .223”/ 5.56mm( 3000fps +). As well as any steel core or penetrator type ammunition.
  5. Club members or their guests will be held responsible for any PPC property damage caused by them not adhering to the above stated rules of use.
  6. The PPC Board of Directors reserves the right to withdraw this policy at their discretion.

VIOLATIONS OF THE CLUB RANGE RULES COULD RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM THE CLUB.