About Us: Operating and Safety Rules and Guest Policy

Rifle and Pistol Range Rules — REVISED 3-01-2009

Table of Contents [Click title to jump to section]

• Fundamental NRA Safety Rules for handling or using firearms
• Other NRA Safety Rules for using or storing firearms
• Specific MSA Rules
• Muzzle Loader Rules
• Guest policy
• Additional range-specific rules

1. Fundamental NRA Safety Rules for handling or using firearms:
   1. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
   2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
   3. Always keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use.
      
      
2. Other NRA Safety Rules for using or storing firearms:
   1. Know the target and what is beyond.
   2. Know how to use the firearm safely.
   3. Be sure the firearm is safe to operate.
   4. Use only the correct ammunition for the firearm.
   5. Wearing eye and ear protection is required.
   6. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
   7. Store firearms so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
   8. Be aware that certain types of firearms and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions. (Also see “The Airborne Lead Dust Hazard—Shooter’s Guide”).
      
      
3. Specific MSA Rules:
   
   1. All federal, state, and local laws shall be obeyed.
   2. MSA rules and use of the range will be superseded by special events, projects, and maintenance.
   3. Everyone shall sign in.
   4. No shooting is allowed before sunup or after sundown.
   5. The Board reserves the right to exclude unusual firearms that might cause undue damage to club property.
   6. Firearms must be unloaded, magazines out, and have the actions open except when on a firing line proved ready to fire. When moved, all firearms must be pointed in the safest direction (normally with the muzzle upward). Firearms will normally remain cased or boxed until on the firing line.
   7. Shoot only from the firing lines. The firing lines on Ranges 1 through 9 vary with the position of the shooter in the bay, but in all cases will be parallel to the targets.
   8. Shooters shall use the installed targets and target stands, which must not be moved, (except in ranges 8 and 9 where the shooter may supply the targets and stands).
   9. Shoot in a controlled manner and only at the targets directly in front of you. Every shot must impact the berm directly in front of the firing position.
   10. When shooting prone, you must keep others on the firing line aware of your position.
   11. Children under 18, all guests, and anyone not having gone through orientation, must be under the direct supervision of the responsible member (arms length at all times).
   12. When going down-range, coordinate a cease-fire, make all firearms safe, and activate any available warning device.
   13. Whenever anyone is down-range, everyone else must be away from the bench/firing line and behind the yellow ready line. Firearms must be benched, unloaded with the magazines out, and have the actions open.
   14. No tracer ammunition is allowed.
   15. Do not shoot at or harm any wildlife on MSA property.
   16. Pistols may be carried in and drawn from holsters only while in the pistol and automatic bays 1 through 9, (this rule does not restrict Concealed Handgun Licensees and Law Enforcement Officers from carrying legally).
   17. Do not litter—put all used targets, waste, and rimfire or non-brass shells in the barrels.
   18. Speed limit is 10 mph throughout the range.
   19. Gates must remain closed and locked.
   20. Do not climb on, or over, any berm. Never dig into or remove lead from berms.
   21. Membership cards must be readily available; and shall not be loaned, transferred to, or used by others.
       
       
4. Muzzle Loader Rules:
   
   1. No smoking within 15 feet of a loading rack or firing line.
   2. Firearms must be charged from a separate measure, not from a flask or powder horn.
   3. All loading must be done at a rack behind the firing line. Cap or prime on the firing line.
   4. No open powder cans on the loading line, firing line, or in any buildings.
   5. Firearms must be carried with the muzzle up.
   6. Wipe the bore between each shot.
      
      
5. Guest policy:
   MSA members may bring guests. All guests must sign in.
   
   
   1. Guests brought under the following provisions will be admitted free:
      
      1. Introductory Guest—a guest with a member and using the member’s firearm.
      2. Any Minor—Less than 18 years and under the direct supervision of the member.
      3. Close Family Members—Those residing outside of Midland and Ector counties.
      4. Spectators and bona fide entrants in matches or events sanctioned by the MSA Board, when participation in such events is the entrant’s only use of the range.
         
         
   2. Guests brought under the following provisions must pay a $10.00 fee (per guest, per visit):
      1. Occasional Guest—A guest with a member and firing his or her own firearm. Each member is limited to two “Occasional Guests” per visit. The member is responsible for paying a $10.00 fee (per guest, per visit) by depositing payment into the blue steel box next to the clubhouse door, prior to shooting.
      2. Individuals qualifying for a Concealed Handgun License in a class approved by the MSA Board. The CHL instructor is responsible for paying a $10.00 fee (per student, per visit) by depositing payment into the blue steel box next to the clubhouse door, prior to shooting.
         
         
6. Additional rules are posted at the specific ranges and are in part as follows:
   
   
   1. Range A1—25 and 50 yard; paper targets only:
      1. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns with slugs only.
         
         
   2. Range A2—25, 50, 75 and 100 yard; paper targets only:
      1. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns with slugs only.
         
         
   3. Range A3—Archery only, paper and three-dimensional targets:
      1. Bows with field points only, and only at the provided target backer or target.
      2. Do not shoot if anyone is down range or in danger of a ricochet.
         
         
   4. Range B—100, 200, and 300 yard paper; 300 and 500 yard swinging steel plates:
      1. Rifles, pistols, and shotguns with slugs only.
      2. Shooters may shoot from the gravel area in front of benches #1-#4 if there are no shooters closer than bench #20.
         
         
   5. Range C—25 yard to 200 meter, steel silhouettes:
      1. Pistols of any caliber and rimfire rifles only (no centerfire or muzzle loading rifles).
      2. Do not crossfire. Shoot only at the bank of targets directly in front of you.
         
         
   6. Range D—100 to 500 meter, swinging steel plates:
      1. Rifles only--centerfire to 45 caliber; any muzzle loader. No magnums over 30 caliber.
      2. Do not go down range.
      3. No pistols or shotguns, and no armor piercing or steel core ammo.
      4. Make sure all rounds hit either the target or the berm directly behind the target.
         
         
   7. Range E—25 and 50 yard, paper targets only:
      1. Pistols of any caliber and rimfire rifles only.
      2. Put only one target per frame, in the center of the frame.
      3. Shoot only from the provided firing line.
         
         
   8. Ranges 1 through 7—Variable yardage, paper targets only:
      1. Pistols only.
      2. Pistols must be unloaded, magazines out, and have the actions open except when on a firing line proved ready to fire.
         
         
   9. Ranges 8 and 9—Shooter furnished targets:
      1. Automatic weapons as well as rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
      2. Firearms must be unloaded, magazines out, and have the actions open except when on a firing line proved ready to fire.
      3. Place targets as low and as close to the backstop berm as possible.
      4. Do not use glass, shard producing, or ricochet causing materials for targets.
      5. When finished, remove all trash from the bay and place it in the trash receptacle.

 

Related: MSA Bylaws