1.     These Regulations govern the safe conduct of shooting on the ranges. All users of the ranges are bound by these Regulations, including Range leaseholders and those that are licensed to use ranges. Government agencies operate under their own procedures with the prior approval of the BA Range. In the interests of safety, any breach of these Regulations is to be reported immediately to Range Control.

2.     The DSS disclaims responsibility for any accident, injury, loss or damage arising from non-compliance with these Regulations.

Firearms and Ammunition

4.    All shooters are responsible for ensuring that their firearms, ammunition and combinations thereof are safe to use. All firearms and ammunition must be made available for inspection and testing whenever required.

5.    Use of the following on the range is prohibited:

a. Tracer; incendiary; armour piercing; armour piercing incendiary (API); depleted uranium; ammunition containing any igniferous or explosive substance.

b. Projectiles that are not constructed of pure lead, lead alloy, or a lead core with a jacket of gilding metal or soft iron. Lead-free mono-metallic bullets may be used during specific events that are controlled and planned by the NRA or as otherwise permitted by the match director. They are other wise forbidden.

c. Cartridges which, when normally loaded, would exceed the ME/MV limits of any specific range, may not be used on that range even if downloaded.

Limits as to Calibre, Muzzle Velocity and Muzzle Energy

6.      No firearm and ammunition combination which develops a muzzle energy exceeding 7000 J (5160 ft lb) may be used on range without the specific permission of the match director which must be sought in writing well in advance of the planned use. The following limits apply:

7.    .50” caliber HME rifles may not be fired on the Range.

Additional Limits on Muzzle Brakes and Tables/Benches

8.    Firers who wish to use muzzle brakes, or who wish to shoot from a table or bench must inform the Range Office at the time of arrival so that appropriate separation on the firing point is allocated. Any firer who does not give advance notice of such requirement may find that proximity of other firers prevents their desired activity.

Range Use

22.     No 1000 yard rifle range may be used without the prior permission of the BA.

23.     The ranges are reserved for the use of NRA members and members of Associations and Clubs affiliated to the NRA. Other persons or bodies may only use the ranges with the prior permission of the CE. Individual members of the NRA may, subject to booking, or by the arrangement with the entity at has booked,  and subject to holding the relevant Shooter’s Certification Card, use any approved target on any range directly controlled by the NRA.  Members of affiliated organisations may only use targets when use has been arranged by their organisation except that such members may, as individuals, use the Zero Range on the day prior to, and on, any day when their organisation has a booking on Stickledown, Century or Short Siberia ranges.

24.     All users of NRA ranges must be in possession of a current Shooter’s Certification Card, or be supervised on a one-to-one basis by the holder of such a card. Such a card is only valid if it bears the signature of the individual’s Club Chairman or the Secretary General of the NRA. The card must be valid for all the firearms that the user intends to fire on Bisley ranges. The card must be produced to the Range Office staff when signing-in. ROs must certify that all members of their group comply with the above.

25.     No shooting is permitted other than on approved ranges, except with the permission of the CE.

26.     On the NRA ranges firers must only use the targets and the distances allocated to them by the Range Office. Any concerns or queries in connection with the targets provided must be reported to the Range Office before firing commences.

27.     A firer whose equipment (including firearms) or dress are thought inappropriate or likely to bring the Association into disrepute may be challenged by the RO or NRA staff and may be required to withdraw.

28.     When shooting static and in echelon, on Century and Stickledown ranges, shooters are to wear clothing which ensures that they are visible to other shooters at greater distances.

29.     On the NCSC Clay Target ranges the layouts to be used will be as allocated by the National Clay Shooting Centre. Only shooters and supporting personnel authorised by the National Clay Shooting Centre are permitted on to the firing point/line.

Dates and Times of Shooting

30.     The rifle and pistol ranges are normally closed to non-commercial users on Mondays (except Bank Holidays), Good Friday and between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day inclusive. The Clay ranges may be open during the Christmas holiday period and at times other than those stated for the rifle and pistol ranges. Other closure periods will be notified on the NRA Website.

31.     All ranges except Cottesloe Heath, British Field Target Organisation, Long Siberia, NSRA Ranges, NCSC Clay Ranges, Cheylesmore, Winans and Zero Range:

a.     Low Season

Weekdays: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00
Weekends: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 (16:30 March)

b.     High Season

Weekdays: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30
Weekends: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:30

32.     Cheylesmore, Winans and Zero Range – As authorised by the Range Office.

33.     NCSC Clay Target Ranges – The NCSC staff in consultation with the Range Office will arrange shooting times.

Signals Indicating Commencement and Cessation of Firing

34.     Unless prior permission has been granted, the commencement and cessation of shooting will be indicated by siren and must be strictly observed. One blast on the siren is the signal to ROs that they may permit shooting to commence. A cease fire at the end of a shooting period will be notified by two blasts on the siren at an interval of about 15 seconds. All shooters must cease fire and unload.

Emergencies: All ranges except NSRA ranges

35.     Should an immediate cease fire be required at any other time this will be indicated by four (or more) blasts of the siren: all shooters must cease fire at once. All ROs and radio users must select the Control channel on their radios and await instructions. If general permission to continue firing is granted, it will be indicated to ROs by one long blast on the siren. Specific permission to continue may be granted range by range by telephone or radio.

Restrictions on Targets

36.      Unless prior permission has been obtained from the CE only targets from the NRA approved set may be used. The more commonly used targets are detailed in the NRA Handbook Appendix IV, and the full target set may be consulted on application to the Shooting Division NRA. Targets are to be used in the frames or holders provided and are to be engaged only from the recognised firing points and appropriate shooting station or peg. Snap targets are to be exposed in or in front of target frames. No laterally-moving target may be used on gallery ranges. Skittles, falling plates or other hard targets may not be engaged at a distance of less than 25 yards (22 metres) without the permission of the CE. Clearance to use such targets, set out in range-specific orders constitutes permission.

Restrictions on Firing

37.     Indiscriminate firing is forbidden. Regardless of the time constraints of any particular practice, firers must prioritise the requirement to hit the target over the need to meet any time limit.

a.     Stickledown, Century and Short Siberia, firing is to be carried out from the prone or supine position or from a bench except where expressly provided by the conditions of a particular discipline or approved competition rules. The intention to fire from any other position must be notified to the Range Office at the time of booking to allow suitable target allocation on the range. Notification is required notwithstanding that a booking is made to carry out a particular discipline or competition.

b.     The use of non-standard or improvised firing points is forbidden except with the prior authority of the CE.

c.     Courses of fire that involve movement (other than changing firing position eg from standing to kneeling) with a loaded firearm are forbidden except with the prior authority of the CE.

38.     An Association, Club or group of 2 or more persons intending to shoot on any range must appoint a Range Officer (RO) who signs on to the range and will be present whilst shooting is in progress. The RO is responsible for ensuring that range activity is conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with these Regulations. An individual shooter may act as his own RO if no other RO is formally appointed and if the following conditions are met:

a.     Shooting is to take place on Winans Bay C (Zero Range) or Winans Bay B when being used as a Zero Range alternate to Winans Bay C.

OR

b.     If aged 18 or over and an individual member of the NRA, when shooting a deliberate supported or static discipline on a range other than Cheylesmore Bay B or Winans Bay A.

39.     A shooter acting as his own RO may not, during his practice, supervise another shooter.

40.     Before commencement of shooting the RO must sign the register in the NRA Range Office, thereby accepting responsibility to ensure that range activity under his supervision is conducted in accordance with these Regulations. He must also sign off when shooting is completed, thus certifying that he has completed all actions required by these Regulations. Having signed the register, the RO acts as an official under orders of the CRO.

41.     An RO is to carry out his duties and exercise authority in accordance with NRA Handbook para 126. In particular, and mindful that the senior member of the NRA Range Services staff acts as CRO if one is not formally appointed, an RO is to:

–           Report all breaches of Regulations and all Range Occurrences to Range Control as soon as practicable.

–           If a Range Occurrence constitutes a Range Incident:  stop all firing under his control, ensure the situation is safe, isolate the persons and equipment involved, inform Range Control and carry out any direction before permitting firing under his control to recommence.

–           If a Range Occurrence constitutes a Range Accident: stop all firing under his control, ensure the situation is safe (which may involve calling an emergency stop), give immediate first aid, summon assistance through Range Control and carry out any direction given, do not handle or permit to be handled any items involved other than the minimum essential to make the situation safe and to give first aid

42.     The RO’s responsibility and authority extend to the safety and supervision of any person assisting in the shooting activity, such as instructors, register keepers and range rigging team. The NRA will train and supervise its own staff and accepts the associated responsibilities. The RO should exercise his authority over NRA staff, including NRA provided Target Markers, through the Range Office and Butts Supervisor as appropriate. The RO is responsible both personally and as representative of his Association Club or group for the training, competence and supervision of any person other than NRA staff employed (whether for payment or otherwise) to work in the butts on targets under his control.

43.     The RO is to ensure that persons under his control are fully covered by insurance, including third party public liability cover. Individual NRA members and NRA staff on duty are so insured. Members of affiliated clubs who are not individual NRA members may only shoot when their club has booked the range space, (other than on the Zero Range as described in Para 23 above) either directly or through another club by mutual arrangement on an official club day.

44.     If the RO intends to conduct zeroing practices with an HME firearm (see Para 8 above) he must hold the RCO (HME) qualification. Once the HME firearm has been correctly zeroed, firing at any other distance or on any other range may be conducted by any RO, who need not hold the RCO (HME) qualification.

Safety Regulations

45.     Alcohol is not permitted on any of the Ranges.

46.     Firearms are not to be placed on the firing point, loaded or fired before the siren has indicated the commencement of a shooting period. Range Control will conduct a check that all NRA staff, operating in the range area, are clear of danger areas prior to sounding the siren. The siren is the indication that all movement forward of the firing point has ceased.

47.     Equipment, including ammunition, may be placed on the firing point at the (C)RO’s discretion.

48.     No firearm shall be loaded or fired until the (C)RO has given the order to do so.

49.     Aiming or “snapping” an unloaded firearm is NOT allowed in any public place except as part of a properly organised course of instruction, or when in the firing position on a firing point with the permission of the RO, and then only if it would, in all respects, be safe to fire a live round.

50.     At no time may any part of the body be placed in front of the muzzle of a loaded firearm.

51.     Except when otherwise prescribed in the conditions of a discipline or competition:

a.     Firearms may not be placed on the firing point except under the direction of the RO and where it is safe in all respects to fire.

b.     No firearm is to be loaded until the shooter is in the firing position on a recognised firing point.

c.     A loaded firearm must point directly towards the butts at all times.

d.     When loading, unloading or checking a firearm, the barrel must at all times be pointed directly towards the butts horizontally and laterally aligned with the target lane.

52.      Individual firers are responsible for ensuring that their firearm is safe at all times. On the conclusion of a shoot or stage, or on the order of the RO, all firers must:

i.       Unload their firearm and inspect the chamber, action, boltface and magazine (if one is fitted) to ensure that the firearm is clear.

ii.      If requesting inspection by a person other than the CRO or a range official, dismantle their firearm to the extent necessary to permit a clear view through the chamber and barrel.

iii.     Present their firearm to the designated person on the firing point and have them inspect and confirm that the firearm is clear.

iv.     For a Service Weapon complete the unload in accordance with the current Service procedure.

v.      Keep the bolt removed or insert a breech flag (or both) for any bolt-action rifle, or carry out the equivalent procedure for other firearms (which may include casing in accordance with GR&P procedure).

prior to leaving the firing point and before anyone goes forward of the firing point ensure that their firearm has been cleared by the RO.

53.     A firer using a bolt-action rifle must carry it either with the breech open and a breech flag, which must protrude into the chamber, clearly inserted, or with the bolt removed from the rifle, except when on the firing point. Civilian Service Rifles or practical rifles which are able to utilise a magazine fitted loading block which locks the working parts to the rear may do so.

54.     Unless GR&P rules apply, a firer using a self-loading rifle must carry it unloaded, ie no magazine on it, no round in the chamber, working parts forward, not cocked and safety catch at ‘safe’.

55.     Firearms specified in the NRA GR&P, TS or CSR/PR Handbooks (published separately) must be carried in accordance with specified rules.

56.     All other firearms must be carried in a manner such that they are as clearly unloaded as is possible for that type of firearm.

57.     A shooter acting in a dangerous manner will forthwith be forbidden to fire again or take further part in any shoot at Bisley until a report has been made to Range Control and the circumstances have been fully investigated. Where considered appropriate the matter will be reported to the Secretary General for possible disciplinary action.

57.     Care must be taken when changing distance or crossing a range. Any person must immediately call an emergency cease fire(“Stop, Stop, Stop”) if it appears that a person is likely to enter the danger area.

Safe Custody

59.     Firearms and live ammunition are not to be left unattended on the ranges. When not in the personal care of the person responsible, they are to be secured in accordance with Home Office guidance. Responsibility for the safe custody of firearms or ammunition lies with the individual owner.

60.     The RO is responsible for the Target markers manning his targets (see Para 42).

a.     Markers are to enter and leave the butts by the covered and recognised safe approaches provided. Passage within the butts is to be under cover of the markers gallery; on no account are markers to use the roads in the butts while firing is in progress. Markers and all others in the butts must remain within the protection of their gallery and under the mantlet while shooting is in progress. All personnel working in the butts are to wear hearing protection.

b.     Objects are not to be thrown or placed upon the face of the butt or mantlet.

c.     Target areas are to be clean and tidied prior to the marker leaving their position.

d.     The minimum age for Target Markers is 15 years of age. At age 15 markers are only permitted to work on a Saturday.

61.     Persons under the age of 14 must remain under the supervision of a parent or guardian or other competent adult at all times whilst on the range floor. Their hearing must be fully protected. They are not permitted to mark targets.

62.     There is no minimum age limit for minors to shoot on Bisley ranges. However, for persons under the age of 14 an application for permission to shoot must be made to the NRA well in advance of the planned visit. This is not applicable to cadet or other recognised youth organisations whilst shooting at an official event.

Spectators

63.     Spectators are to remain behind the firing point at all times and are to comply strictly with the instructions given by the RO or any NRA official. The RO is to ensure that all spectators wear hearing protection and where appropriate eye protection.

Animals

64.     Owners are responsible for any animal they bring to Camp and must not allow it on or forward of the firing points during shooting periods or to cause a nuisance at any time. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in the domestic area of the Camp and on the ranges when shooting is taking place. Animals are explicitly prohibited from any enclosed range. Owners must clean up after their animal and make good any damage it causes. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the CE banning the animal from Camp.

Use of Radios and Emergency Procedures

65.     Communications on the ranges are normally maintained by radio. The control channel on NRA radios is on the furthest clockwise stud on the frequency knob. In the event of an emergency ROs should switch to the control channel and pass the message:

–  Emergency, Emergency, Emergency,

–  Hello Control this is *****  Range, I am on Lane *** at *** yards, firer injured and requires . . . ”.

All other radio users are to remain off the air until the emergency is concluded.

66.     First Aid equipment and trained first aiders are available from Range Control. All injuries are to be reported immediately to a member of the Range Office staff who will, if necessary, initiate the NRA Range Action Safety Plan (RASP) which is available in Range Control.

67.     A full Incident Report is to be completed in all cases and an entry made in the Accident Book. The control channel is monitored continuously when the ranges are open, and is the simplest and fastest method of contacting the NRA staff and of obtaining help in an emergency.

Health

68.     In view of the potential permanent damage which can be caused to hearing, all persons involved in a shoot, or in close proximity when shooting is taking place, must wear hearing protection. The wearing of hearing protection is mandatory when in the butts.

69.     The wearing of eye protection by all shotgun, pistol and gallery rifle shooters and by spectators on such ranges, is highly recommended at all times and is mandated in several circumstances. See the NRA Eye Protection Policy at Appendix III to the NRA Handbook.

70.     Recreational drugs are not permitted on any Bisley range.