Safety:

1. All participants and spectators must wear eye and ear protection.
2. All participants shall have a basic knowledge of firearms and safe handling of firearms.
3. The Carry Gun Shoot takes place on a cold range. Unloaded firearms may be handled in designated areas only. Firearms may be loaded or unloaded at the direction of Range Safety Officers (RSO) only. Violation of this rule leads to shoot disqualification.
4. Unloaded handguns may remain in holsters when the competitor is not on the firing line. However, if leaving the dynamic ranges handguns must be either cased or left at a designated area.
5. Any shooter whose firearm breaks the 170 during the course of fire will disqualified from the shoot. The RSO may warn the shooter by saying “muzzle” if the muzzle of the firearm approaches the 170.
6. Accidental discharges impacting the ground within 10 feet of the shooter or going over the berm will be disqualified from the shoot.
7. Any shooter or spectator who is disruptive, abusive, or found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave.
8. A dropped unloaded firearm will result in a stage disqualification after an RSO picks it up and confirms that it is not loaded. If the firearm is found to be loaded the shooter will be disqualified from the shoot.
9. When not actively shooting or engaging targets the shooter will keep their finger conspicuously clear of the trigger. An RSO may warn the shooter by saying “finger” if thought to be necessary.
10. Firearms will be transported either in a holster or case.
11. At the end of a shooting string after the shooter declares that they are finished, the shooter will safely remove the magazine from their pistol and clear the chamber. Revolvers will have all chambers cleared. After the RSO has verified that the firearm is clear it may be reholstered or placed in a case.

Range Commands:

1. Shooters will present themselves at the starting position with firearm unloaded holstered prepared to shoot the course of fire. The course of fire will be explained to all competitors prior to the first shooter approaching the firing line. Once at the starting position the RSO will give the following commands:
2. “Load and make ready.” - The shooter will prepare their firearm and assume the starting position for the course of fire.
1. All firearms will be made ready by having magazines in place with a round in the chamber. Manual safeties will be engaged.
2. If shooter would prefer not to engage the safety, magazine will be loaded but chamber will remain empty until stage begins.
3. “Shooter ready.” - This is the last chance for the shooter to ask clarifying questions.
4. “Stand by.” - This command is given just prior to the start signal.
5. Start signal – 1-3 seconds after “stand by” the electronic timer will indicate that the shooter can begin the stage.
6. The following commands may be given by the RSO in order to ensure the safety of all individuals on the range.
1. “Muzzle” – Muzzle of the firearm is in danger of breaking the 170
2. “Finger” – Shooter’s finger is in or too close to the trigger guard while moving.
3. “Stop” – This command may be given by RSO or any competitor or spectator if an unsafe situation on the course of fire occurs.
7. “If you are finished unload and show clear.” – The shooter will remove all ammunition from their firearms and allow the RSO to confirm that the firearms are unloaded. No magazine inserted and chamber empty.
8. “If clear, slide forward (or close cylinder) and holster” (or case). Shooter will then return pistol to holster or case and carry rifle back to rack with muzzle up.
9. “Range is clear.” – This command indicates that the course of fire is complete and it is safe to go down range and score and tape targets.

Malfunctions:

1. If a firearm malfunctions and cannot be safely cleared during the course of fire, it shall be grounded in a safe manner. The shooter can then take it to designated area to fix the problem and will be placed back in the rotation of shooters.
2. If there is a range equipment malfunction the shooter will be given a reshoot.
3. If the shooter is stopped during the course of fire due to a safety issue not of the shooter’s control (e.g. someone moving downrange) the shooter shall be given a reshoot.

Participation:
Carry Gun Shoots require active participation by competitors even when they are not shooting. In order for the shoot to run smoothly, participants are expected to assist with taping targets, picking brass, and generally helping out when the opportunity presents itself. The more participants that help, the more scenarios can be shot.