Range Rules

Firearm Safety Rules

  1. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded
  2. Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot
  3. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire
  4. Keep your weapon on safe until you intend to fire

Permissible Firearms

  • Only firearms utilizing single projectile ammunition may be used on the firing ranges. However, shotguns utilizing multiple projectile ammunition may be fired at stationary targets positioned such that discharged pellets will strike between the base and halfway up the backstop.
  • Sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off  rifles, machine guns, dangerous weapons, and silenced weapons as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121, and any weapon firing more than once with a single trigger pull are prohibited on the firing ranges unless approved by the county in advance for special events. However, sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off rifles and silenced weapons may be used by any person provided that such person has in their possession, at all times, proof of registration of such sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifles and silencer consistent with the National Firearms Act and such person is in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121. This registration must be presented to the RSO or Range Master prior to use. 
  • Rifles using centerfire cartridges .50 caliber or larger are prohibited.

General Range Regulations

  • Alcoholic beverages (as defined in O.C.G.A. § 3-1-2) are prohibited on a firing range. 
  • No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is permitted on a firing range.
  • Tobacco use is prohibited on or near the firing line.
  • Non-shooters shall remain at least six feet behind the firing line when a shooter is at the firing line, except a coach or instructor aged 18 years or older while directly supervising the shooter at the firing line. 
  • Tracer or any ammunition considered to be incendiary or explosive is prohibited.
  • Targets must be positioned so that the projectile(s) will not strike flat ground before the backstop; all targets must be located so that a projectile will strike between the base and halfway up the backstop.
  • Shooting at flying or thrown objects is prohibited except with shotguns and shot shells in areas specifically designated by the county for such shooting activities.
  • Any person under eighteen (18) years of age must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult 18 years old or older.
  •  All objects, trash, targets, and spent cartridge hulls behind the red safety line must be removed by firing range users when leaving the range. RSO’s are responsible for any brass or debris in front of the red safety line. 
  • Range use is allowed only in accordance with range hours and dates posted at the firing range.
  • Shooters shall fire only at the target directly down range of that person’s position.
  •  Any person using the firing ranges must wear hearing and eye protection.
  • Double tapping or rapid fire is prohibited. Shooters shall allow at least one second between shots. Competitions such as the Steel Target Challenge and other range events are exceptions to this policy. 
  • No person shall handle a firearm when any other person is down range or otherwise between the shooter and the target.

General Gun Handling Safety Regulations

  • In the event of a firearm malfunction, the shooter shall keep his/her firearm pointed down range, advise all persons at the firing line of the malfunction, and unload as soon as possible. The firearm must be cleared before it can be removed from the range. 
  • All firearms on the firing line must be unloaded, with actions open and empty chamber flags inserted whenever the range is cold.
  • The muzzle of any firearm on the firing line must be pointed downrange at all times. 
  • The muzzle of every firearm when in the firing position must be in front of the front edge of the bench upon which it rests.
  • The loading of muzzleloaders must be by single charge dispensers; pouring powder from larger containers directly into a muzzleloader is prohibited. 
  • The loading of muzzleloaders must be done at least six (6) feet behind the firing line whenever another muzzle loading firearm is on the firing line. 
  • Shooters must be at the firing line before capping or priming muzzle loading firearms.
  • Containers of muzzleloader propellant must remain closed except when needed for filling a single charge dispenser. Primary containers of propellant must stay back at the rest table and remain closed except to fill a dispenser.

Range Safety Officers

  • Any person on the range shall obey the range commands of county Range Safety Officers. This includes, but is not limited to: Begin Fire commands, Cease Fire commands, and Resume Fire commands.
  • Range Safety Officers and range users may call a Cease Fire at any time an unsafe condition is recognized on the range. Any person on the range shall immediately obey a Cease Fire command by grounding all firearms with actions open.
  • It is unlawful for any person on the range to disregard safety related instructions issued by a Range Safety Officer.

Authority O.C.G.A. Title 27, O.C.G.A. Sec. 27-1-4. Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Regulation 391-4-9-.02

Other Requirements

  • All range visitors, including members, are required to check in at the Main Office prior to entering the shooting canopies. 
  • Firing any weapon at any wildlife is strictly prohibited.