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2390 Gun Range Rd.
Geneva, FL 32732
Range Rules

Seminole County Gun and Archery Association
Club Policies and Range Rules

The club bases its General Safety Rules very closely on the shooting Range Rules published by the Education and Training Division of the National Rifle Association (NRA). The subsections below use the NRA guidelines as headings and information for each subject.

Treat Every Gun as a Loaded Firearm

1.1 Always Point the Muzzle in a Safe Direction

1.1.1 It is NOT acceptable for any person to be “swept” by the muzzle of any firearm

1.1.2 While on the firing lines, every firearm should, at all times, be pointed down range or straight up in the air.

1.1.3 Every firearm should be brought to the firing line in a suitable case, with the firearm unloaded. If a case is not available, the firearm must be brought to the firing line carried with the muzzle pointed straight up in the air with the action open.

1.1.4 An uncased firearm may not be brought to the firing line if the line is in a “cold “ status.


1.2 Always Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger, Until You’re Ready to Fire.

1.2.1 It is the shooters responsibility to ensure that no unintentional discharge occurs.


1.3 Always Keep The Firearm Unloaded Until You’re Ready To Use It

1.3.1 In general, all firearms must be brought to the range unloaded. All loading must be done on the firing line, and all firearms must be unloaded before being removed from the firing line.

1.3.2 Whenever the firing line is declared “cold” every firearm MUST be unloaded, its action open, and it must be placed in a secure position on the bench, on the ground, or in a case or rack behind the firing line. No firearm may be handled while the range is in a cold status and shooters will move away from their equipment.

1.3.3 Every firearm left unattended on the firing line, especially when the range is cold, must be unloaded and left with the action open.


1.5 Know Your Firearm and ammunition

1.5.1 It is the shooters responsibility to realize a cold or hot range when first entering a range.

1.5.2 It is the shooters responsibility to ensure that every firearm and its ammunition used on the range is maintained and used in a safe manner.

1.5.3 It is the shooters responsibility to ensure that only suitable ammunition is used in each firearm. It is strongly recommended that a shooter bring only one firearm and its ammunition to the firing line at a time.


1.6 Know Your Target and What Is Beyond

1.6.1 Only targets authorized for each range may be used on that range. It is the shooters responsibility to insure that paper targets are being used, that they are secured to the club provided backboards – and not of any material that would promote or generate ricochets.

1.6.2 Every target must be placed to a height to ensure that all bullets fired will impact the berm. Aerial shots and ground skips will NOT be tolerated.

1.6.3 It is the shooters responsibility to line up with their target. No Crossfire will be tolerated.


1.7 Know Where Others Are at All Times

1.7.1 The firing line is maintained in one of two states: “Hot” or “Cold”. When the firing line is “hot” shooters are free to fire, and no one may go forward of the firing line for any reason under any circumstances. When the firing line is “Cold”, shooters are free to move forward of the firing line to work on targets, and no one may handle any firearm.

1.7.2 It is the responsibility of every shooter, member or guest, to know the current state [Cold or Hot] of the firing line at all times.

1.7.3 It is the responsibility of every shooter, member or guest, to ensure that all others on the firing line are made aware when the firing line is declared Hot or Cold.

1.7.4 It is the responsibility of every shooter, member or guest, to ensure that the firing line is NOT declared HOT until all others are behind the firing line.

Minors under the age of 18 must at all times wear ear and eye protection whenever the range is HOT. It is highly recommended for all persons on the range to wear suitable ear and eye protection.


1.8 Know and Obey All Range Commands

1.8.1 At any moment each range is considered to be on one of two states:

  1. “The line is Cold”. This is the safe condition for the firing line. No firearms may be handled for any reason. Shooters may go forward of the firing line to place targets.
  2. “The Line is HOT”. This is the firing condition for the firing line. No person may go forward of the firing line for any reason. Shooters may fire in a safe manner consistent with the other rules of that range.
  3. “Cease fire”. This is the stop firing command for all shooters to immediately stop firing, remove your magazine or clip, download any remaining rounds, and open the action. It is the shooters responsibility to provide immediate “cease fire” action and not to fire any round already in battery.

1.8.2 Except during authorized matches, the club operates the ranges by cooperation between the shooters on the firing line. Any shooter may request a cold range. In general shooters will cooperate to make the firing line cold when it is convenient for all the shooters present. In particular, shooters should be allowed to complete firing strings before the firing line goes cold. Shooters will cooperate to make the firing line “Hot” by consensus of all shooters on the line. All shooters will be given time to complete target work.

1.8.3 During authorized matches the state of the range is controlled by the match director of that particular discipline.


Local Safety Rules

This section will define rules specific to the club not already covered by previous section including rules for each range.

Whole Club Property

2 Don’t Mix Alcohol or Drugs with Shooting

2.1 Under no circumstances will alcohol or drugs be permitted on club property. Additionally shooters must not under any circumstances be under the influence of Drugs or Alcohol on the firing lines while handling any firearm or ammunition.

2.1.1 Shooters must also be aware of the effects of fatigue on shooter performance. Members are responsible to ensure that they and their guests are in a safe condition whenever they come to the range.

2.1.2 Shooting times on the ranges are from sunrise to sunset.

2.1.3 NO tracers, incendiary, explosives, or other projectiles carrying any form of active components will be permitted.

2.1.4 All rounds must be fired from designated firing points, as defined for each range below. Special firing points may be established for particular authorized Club matches or Club – sanctioned training purposes.

2.1.5 All rounds must be fired in a manner such that they strike the backstop. Rounds must not be fired into the ground or over the backstops.

2.1.6 No persons will be allowed on the impact berms or side berms of any range except for the purpose of authorized and scheduled maintenance, for placing wind flags, and then only after the range has been declared cold. Shooters will be permitted onto the footing of the impact berms of the plinking range only to place targets. Shooters may NOT under any circumstances be allowed on the berms of the plinking range.

2.1.7 No hunting will be permitted on Club property.

2.1.8 Guests of members must be directly supervised at all times while on Club property. Guests must not be allowed to handle firearms or be present on the firing line without the direct supervision of the host member. The member and the guest cannot both shoot at the same time. The member must directly supervise their guest and when the member is shooting, their guest must remain behind the red safety line.

2.1.9 Children, under the age of 18, must AT ALL TIMES be supervised while on Club Property. In particular, minors must be directly, immediately and continuously supervised by an adult while the youth is in possession of a firearm.

2.1.10 Pets must be adequately controlled while on Club property. No pet shall be allowed to run freely so as to disturb other shooters. No pets are allowed on public day.

2.1.11 The retention pond is off limits to everyone.

2.1.12 Vehicles must be operated in a safe manner on the property. Speeds must not exceed 15 mile per hour on club property.

2.1.13 Shooters are required to clean up all trash and brass.


3.1 Range Rules

Special Use Range:

USE OF THIS RANGE RESTRICTED TO SCGAA SANCTIONED EVENTS ONLY.


Plinking Range:

  1. All shots must be fired into the backstop! No ground shots! Allowing any shots to exceed the top height of the berm is prohibited.
    a. It is the shooters responsibility to furnish all targets. It is the shooters responsibility to insure targets being used are not of a material which might promote or generate ricochets. This includes but is not limited to: glass, hard plastic, metal, ceramic, masonry, appliances, computer parts, car parts, butane bottles, aerosol cans, paint cans, hazardous material of any kind. Nearly everything is prohibited, except aluminum soda cans, plastic soda or water bottles and biodegradable clay pigeons! It is the shooters responsibility to police their shooting area and target area.
  2. All targets must be placed on the earthen bench in front of the berm; Placement of targets on the berm is prohibited.
  3. Shotguns may be patterned on the far right side only. Shooters must furnish their own stands. All pellets must impact the backstop.
  4. Shooter supplied wooden target stands may be “short placed” in front of the 50-foot berm. However, they must be at the correct height to insure all bullets will impact the berm. No ground shots or high shots! Paper targets only when this approach is used. The use of portable club stands as target stands is not permitted on this range.
  5. No full auto is permitted on Public Day until after 1:00 pm.

    Note: This is the only range where rapid fire or full auto fire is permitted.

Pistol Range:

  1. Paper targets only! Targets must be placed on the club provided backboards only. It is not permitted to place a target on or shoot at the uprights.
  2. This is a slow fire, aimed shots range! All shots must impact the berm. The Pistol range is intended for conventional pistol shooting, including both center-fire and rim-fire cartridges.
  3. Center-fire rifle and shotguns with slugs only (no scatter shot) shooting is permitted on the left side only, at 25 and 50 yards for initial sighting-in purposes only. Shooters are required to limit rifle and shotgun shooting at this distance to sighting in only, then required to move to the Rifle Range.
  4. Quick draw, cowboy – style shooting and rapid fire shooting are prohibited on the pistol range.

Silhouette Range:

  1. The Silhouette Senior RSO will authorize use of this range!
  2. This range is designed for center-fire pistol and .22 rim-fire silhouette shooting only!
  3. Silhouette targets must be placed at club-approved points only! All shots must impact the berms!
  4. Provided that they do not interfere with silhouette shooting activities, .22 rim-fire rifle shooting is allowed in limited areas.
  5. Center-fire rifles are prohibited on this range.

Rifle Range:

  1. Center fire Long rifles are permitted on this range,
  2. Rim-fire rifles, hunting and Silhouette Handguns permitted at 100 yds.
  3. Paper targets only! Targets must be placed on the club provided backboards only. Do not place targets on or shoot at the uprights.
  4. Shooters are limited to slow fire aimed shots only.
  5. Rapid fire and full auto fire is prohibited on this Range.
  6. Shooters are allowed to drive a vehicle down range to change out targets only when the range is in a cold status.
  7. The use of Range flags are permitted, but must be provided by the shooter and must be policed after shooting has retired.
  8. All brass and trash must be policed.

Archery Range:

  1. All range rules and range commands for firearms apply to the Archery Range.
  2. No firearms of any type permitted
  3. Do not stand or place any targets or objects on top of the berm.
  4. No plinking type materials.
  5. Targets must not exceed 3 (three) feet above ground level.
  6. No tree stands. Do not climb trees.
  7. Only Field points may be used on this range. Broadheads (hunting arrow points) are prohibited.
  8. For 3-d target shooting, all personnel are required to enter on the west side of the retention pond.
  9. Place all 3-D targets towards the east.
  10. All personal must enter and exit the 3-D area from the east side of the retention pond.

3.2 Additional Rules For Public Day

3.2.1 Public shooting starts at 8:00 AM on the first Sunday of each month. Unless you have a membership badge in full view or you are the signed-in guest of a member, you must leave promptly at closing.

3.2.2 Holstered firearms are prohibited!

Note: Any confusion or questions regarding the individual range rules can be directed to any Range Official.