MISS Safety Rules

McHenry IPSC Shooting Society Safety Rules

Firearms must only be handled at the safe table or on the firing line upon the command of the Range Officer. (The safe table is in the narrow corridor pointed at the interior wall.)

Please follow the four cardinal safety rules:

1. All firearms are always loaded. Even if they aren't treat them as if they were.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.
4. Identify your target and what lies behind it.

Some Examples of Unsafe Actions:

Ammunition must not be handled at the safe table; it may be handled anywhere else.

180 rule: While handling the gun at the safe table, at the Firing Line, continuing throughout the course of fire, and while clearing the gun and returning it to the holster at the end of the course of fire, the shooter must not let the muzzle of the gun point rearward i.e. past a line parallel to the front side of the shooting bay (this is known as "breaking the 180").

Sweeping: The shooter must not point the muzzle of the gun at any part of his own body. This is termed "sweeping".

Trigger: During a course of fire, the shooter must keep his finger outside of the trigger guard except while the targets are being engaged.  This would include while the shooter is moving from one shooting position to another, during reloading or while clearing a malfunction.

While most stages begin with a loaded gun in holster, other starting positions are possible. For instance, loaded gun on table; loaded gun in box; unloaded gun on table, in box or holstered. The shooter must be sure to understand the starting position and understand the requirements of safe gun handling for that position.

At the commencement of a course of fire for a shooter, the RO issues the following commands:

1. Make ready -- The shooter may now take the gun out of the holster, take a sight picture, load the gun if required for the stage, and place the gun in the required starting position. This is most often back in the holster, but may be on a table or other designated position. If not back in the holster, the muzzle must not break the 180.
2. Are you ready? -- if you are NOT ready, then speak up; else nod, say yes, or remain silent.
3. Stand-by -- the RO will commence a 1-4 second countdown, before ...
4. Beep - the buzzer goes off and so do you.

During the course of fire the RO (or indeed any RO present on the stage) may issue the warnings:

1. Muzzle! – warning you that the muzzle of your gun has come very close to the 180.
2. Finger! – warning you to keep you finger out of the trigger guard while not engaging targets.

During the course of fire the RO (or indeed any RO present on the stage) may issue the command:

1. Stop!!! -- you immediately cease firing, point the gun downrange with finger off trigger and await further instruction by the RO. This command may be issued if you have committed a safety infraction, or if the RO has spotted an unsafe range condition, range equipment failure, or if the RO suspects either of the above is about to occur.

Usually the RO will then continue with the next set of commands for the conclusion of course of fire; and will then discuss and/or remedy the condition prompting the Stop.  

On conclusion of the course of fire, the RO issues the commands:

1. If you are finished, unload and show clear -- the shooter removes the magazine and reverses the slide to eject any chambered round. The shooter holds the slide open allowing the RO to visually inspect the chamber.
2. If clear, hammer down, holster -- if the gun is clear, the shooter releases the slide and drops the hammer by pulling the trigger while maintaining the muzzle pointing downrange. The shooter then safely returns the gun to the holster, without "sweeping" or "breaking the 180".
3. Range is clear -- the shooter, RO and other members may proceed downrange to score and tape targets.

If at any time you are unsure of rules or procedures, ask someone rather than guess!

Emergency Action Plan:

1. RO's will designate people to call 911 promptly and ask the caller to wait outside to direct first responders to wounded.
2. RO's will make the scene as safe as possible, securing firearms, props as necessary.
3. RO's will attempt to render any first aid possible.
4. The nearest medical centers are Centegra Woodstock (rt 14) and Centegra McHenry (rt 31).