Airgun
Range Safety Rules
We at Mountain State Field Target Association (MSFTA) take
shooting safety extremely seriously. If your shooting is not safe, then it is
not fun for you or anyone else around you. We advise our members, visitors to
our club, and event participants to always treat an airgun exactly as if it were
a firearm. As such, here are general rules to follow for safe and responsible
airgun handling and shooting:
RULE
#1 Before any airgun handling or shooting, always first make sure
you have a safe backstop. Remember not only must your target be a safe and
proper type of airgun target, but look past your target and ensure everything
beyond your target is safe as well.
RULE
#2 Every time you touch your airgun,
treat it as if it were loaded. Don't forget that all guns can cause serious
injury or death in a matter of seconds if used carelessly. Whenever you handle
an airgun, first determine whether or not it is loaded. Ask someone or look for
yourself if you know how. Even when
you have determined the gun is not loaded, continue to handle it as if it were
loaded. That means keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction. Never point a
gun, whether loaded or unloaded, at another person or yourself…..the other
person(s) won’t know if it’s loaded or not!!
RULE
#3 Keep your finger off the trigger
until your sights are on the target and you are prepared to fire. By placing
your finger completely outside the trigger guard, you can avoid accidentally
pulling the trigger before you are ready. Remember a pellet from an airgun can
travel 500 or more yards, so you must be certain that your target and the
surrounding area are safe before firing. Once
a pellet is released and traveling down the barrel, there is no calling it back,
or diverting it away from where the barrel is pointing. Accidents always happen so very fast.
RULE
#4 Make sure to read the instruction manual supplied with your
airgun. Understanding the operation and safety features of your airgun(s) is
essential. The instruction manual is your first source to understanding all the
safety and operation aspects of your airgun. It can give you valuable
information as to the recommended ammunition, proper cleaning and storage of
your airgun.
RULE
#5 Make sure you have the correct ammunition recommended by the
airgun manufacturer. Your ammunition should match the caliber imprinted on the
barrel of most airguns. Just because a pellet or BB fits into your gun doesn't
mean it is safe to fire! Using the wrong caliber ammunition can result in a
damaged gun and serious injury to you and possibly also to those around you.
RULE
#6 Make sure you routinely inspect and clean your airgun. You can
keep your airgun safe for use and in good working order by keeping it free of
dirt and rust, and visually checking built-in safety mechanisms and for wear to
parts prone to malfunction.
Please
have fun and please be safe. We’re
counting on you.
Thank
You!!