Syracuse Pistol Club, Inc.

Rules and Regulations

Safety is our foremost concern.

 Three Basic Rules of Gun Safety

·         ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

·         ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO SHOOT.

·         ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN UNLOADED UNTIL READY TO USE.

 Safety violations, un-sportsmanlike conduct, or conduct detrimental to the club or contrary to club rules and regulations will lead to consequences up to and including expulsion. Members are encouraged to report hazardous conditions to the officers.

1.      Security:

·         All members must carry their membership card while on club premises. Membership card must be shown upon request by another member. Your membership card is not transferable it will seized and revoked if used by someone other than the named member.

·         Make sure that all clubhouse doors are fully locked when leaving.

·         Trespassers will be prosecuted. Report any matters of concern to the President or other Board members.

2.      Guests: An individual may be a shooting guest of one or more members a maximum of 3 times in any 12 month period. They must sign in on the Guest Register Sheet. The member is responsible for their guests and must ensure their safe handling of firearms while on the range.

·         Guests must read, understand and obey all range safety rules.

·         A member may bring no more than two guests at any one time.

·         If two guests are firing at the same time, the member shall stand behind them to observe only and not shoot. If one guest is firing, the member may shoot next to their guest.

3.      Range Hours:

·         The indoor range is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Monday – Saturday and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Sunday.

·         The outdoor range is open from 8:00 AM to sunset, Monday – Saturday and 10:00 AM to sunset, Sunday.

4.      Range Use Restrictions: Scheduled matches and activities (and range maintenance) will take precedence over informal shooting and the range will be closed unless authorized by the event director.

·         League shooting is held on Wednesdays during the hours of 8:00AM to 11AM and 5PM to 8PM, indoors during winter and outdoors during the spring and summer. Non-league shooters are welcome if there is room on the line.

·         The clubhouse is reserved for Board of Directors meetings on the first Tuesday of each month from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. All club members are encouraged to attend these meetings.

·         Monday night, when posted, is reserved for rapid fire shooting on the indoor range.

5.      Ammunition: Handguns that fire rifle rounds are not allowed on club ranges. Exceptions: .17HMR, 22lR and .22RF magnum. No other magnum rounds are allowed.

6.      Guns: All handguns must be licensed and all firearms must be in good repair. No rifles or shotguns may be used, with the exception of Small Bore Rifles chambered in .17HMR, 22LR, and .22WMR.

7.      Targets: Only SPC authorized paper targets are permitted on Club ranges. SPC provides paper targets free of charge, if a member would like to use their own paper targets, the targets need to be of the same size provided by SPC. All targets must be placed fully downrange prior to shooting.

8.      Eye and Ear Protection: Proper eye and ear protection is mandatory for all, whether shooting or observing.

9.      Holsters: Drawing and shooting from a holster is not allowed. Exceptions may be made at the direction of the Board of Directors for sanctioned practice or competition, directly supervised by the Executive Range Officer.

10.  Range Safety:

·         Indoor Range: All guns must be pointed downrange at all times. Always unload all guns after firing and install chamber flag. No one will go forward of the firing line (to collect your own brass) until all guns are rendered safe and the safety light/buzzer is turned on.

·         Outdoor Range: With the exception of the lack of a range safety light/buzzer, the outdoor rules are identical to those listed above. Because of a lack of a light/buzzer, extreme caution must be exercised to be sure that a safe condition exists. A shooter must never go forward of the line until everyone on the firing line has stopped shooting and made all guns safe. No shooter may monopolize the firing line for more than 10 minutes so that other shooters coming to the line may have an opportunity to place targets, score and patch targets, remove targets, retrieve brass, or attend to any other range needs.

·         Rendering a firearm safe: Guns are considered safe when unloaded, magazines removed, cylinders open, slides back, chamber flag installed and placed on the bench facing downrange, or boxed. All persons must move back from the firing line. At this point, the range safety light/buzzer shall be turned on and shooters may go forward to retrieve their own brass. The last shooter returning shall carefully make sure that the range is safe and turn off the range safety light/buzzer, shooting may then resume. While shooters are forward of the line, no guns or equipment may be handled on the firing line.

·         Firing Line: Shooting forward of the firing line is prohibited.

·         Handling of Guns:

1.      Shooters will take their unloaded firearm in its case to the firing line. Upon removal from its case, the firearm must be pointed in a safe direction downrange.

2.      Guns may only be loaded while on the firing line with the muzzle always pointed down range. Never remove a loaded gun from the firing line. Unloaded guns may be handled on the firing line or at the designated safe “Handle Guns Here” area. Any field-stripping or maintenance must be conducted in this area. Guns may not be carried loaded or fired forward of the firing line.

11.  Children:

·         Children over 10: are permitted to shoot if they are under the direct supervision of their adult club member relative. They must understand and obey all instructions and safety rules.

·         Children under 10: are not permitted on or near the outdoor range. They are not permitted on the indoor range and must be kept under supervision while in the clubhouse.

12.  Pets: Pets are not permitted in the clubhouse. They must be kept leashed outdoors. Owners are required to clean up after them.

13.  Refreshments: Neither food nor drink is permitted on the firing lines.

14.  Intoxicants: No person shall be permitted on the range who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or whose behavior is not conducive to their safety or the safety of others. Anyone on Club property that is judged to be impaired by alcohol or any other mind-altering substance will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board. Alcohol or other substance may not be consumed prior to shooting.

15.  Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in the clubhouse or on any shooting line. Powder residue is extremely flammable.

16.  Lead: The mining of lead is prohibited on Club property.

17.  Maintenance: Please keep the ranges clean. Indoors, sweep up brass after shooting at the firing line but do not sweep forward of the firing line. Place brass in the designated containers and put “dud” or defective ammunition into the container designated for “hot ammo”. When leaving the Club, insure that all lights and ventilation switches are off. Do not adjust the heaters in the restrooms or operate any switches marked “emergency”. Please pick up all trash and place in the proper trash receptacles. Please exercise restraint, do not use any more light or heat than necessary for safe, comfortable shooting.

 This list of rules is not intended to either replace or modify the Syracuse Pistol Club's bylaws but rather to provide rules for the day-to-day operation of the range. The rules apply to all members and their guests. Members are responsible for the behavior of their guests and for the enforcement of these rules. Violations shall be reported to the Club's officers as soon as possible, giving all particulars of the violation.