Dear Members,
Please see the updated range rules below:
1. Loaded guns SHALL NOT be handled anywhere in the club except on the range in a port. This includes the loading of carry guns after practice or cleaning.
The safety of our members and guests is paramount to MVGC. To be perfectly clear; you will never have a loaded firearm in your hand anywhere at MVGC except in a shooting port. This rule is not debatable, if broken it is grounds for immediate confiscation of your key card and expulsion from MVGC will be strongly considered by the Board of Directors.
2. All uncased firearms must have their actions open and muzzles always pointing in a safe direction.
All guns must be pointed in a safe direction at all times in all places in the club. This applies to the classroom, ready room and range. All guns should be considered to be loaded at all times. Never point a gun at anything you would not want to destroy. Semi automatics should have the magazine removed and the slide locked back, revolvers should have the cylinders in the open position any time you are not actually in a shooting port on the range.
3. All firearms are to be uncased or unholstered at the port. DO NOT uncase at table or counter and walk up to the port with a firearm or approved rimfire rifle in your hand. DO NOT LEAVE UNCASED FIREARMS OR RIMFIRE RIFLES ON THE COUNTER OR TABLE.
4. Eye and ear protection must always be worn on the ranges.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.
5. The insertion of a loaded magazine shall ONLY be conducted on the range in a port. The loading of ammunition into a magazine may be conducted on the range or in the Ready Room NOT in the classroom.
6. All shooting must be done on paper or cardboard targets no larger than 24” x 35” unless at a sanctioned match.
Approved targets are paper or cardboard targets no longer than 35 inches tall. Targets any taller will cause bullets to impact the floor. NO non - paper targets are allowed. No clay targets, cans, bottles or exploding targets are allowed to be shot in the range.
7. No shooting at a target closer than 21 feet from the firing line. Longer targets must be placed at a farther distance to prevent bullets from impacting the floor. All bullets are to impact berm.
Targets must be sent down no closer than the 21 foot mark. Shooting targets any closer can change the angle of the gun muzzle to the back stop causing bullets to strike the walls. This can cause not only damage to the walls but can create ricochets that can cause bodily harm to shooters on the line.
8. No one shall go forward of the firing line without all firearms being made safe, the ceasefire signal activated, and all shooters having stepped back behind the RED safety line.
Should you ever have reason to go in front of the firing line, ex.: dropped magazine or ammo, etc, the following procedure must be followed: Notify all shooters of your need to go forward. Ask that all shooters make their guns safe (empty with actions open) and step back behind the red line. At that time, the buzzer shall be activated and must remain on while a person is in front of the shooting line, even if you are alone on the range. Other members could enter the range and begin handling their guns without realizing you are down range!
9. No rifle may be fired except .17 rimfire or .22 rimfire.
MVGC allows you to shoot .22 and .17 rimfire rifles only. Centerfire rifles can cause damage to the backstop and baffles, and it may be possible for a bullet from these rifles to exit the building! PCC’s chambered for the following cartridges may be fired at approved club events: 9mm, 38 special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 44 Special, 44 magnum, 45 ACP, 10mm
10. No centerfire rifles or shotguns are to be fired. (Unless during a sanctioned match.)
See above for the reason for no centerfire rifles. No shotguns are allowed except occasionally at matches. Shotguns cause damage to the range and carrier system and backstops. Shot shells for handguns are also forbidden.
11. Handguns chambered for rifle cartridges are prohibited.
12.Pistol or revolver cartridges up to .500 S&W may be fired.
Our range is designed to handle handgun cartridges only. Handguns chambered for rifle cartridges (.223, etc.) are not allowed. .50 caliber handgun cartridges are allowed.
13. ALL armor piercing, tracer, incendiary or shot loads are prohibited.
Armor piercing ammo will do severe damage to the backstop and carriers. Tracer and incendiary cartridges will certainly cause a fire. Bottleneck and shotshell cartridges are covered above. Do Not fire any of these on our ranges, loss of your membership will result.
14. Raised pistols, revolvers or rifles are prohibited. Striking anywhere except the berm shall lead to disciplinary action. DO NOT SHOOT CARRIER OR CLIPS HOLDING TARGET.
Many shooters have a tendency to raise the muzzle of the gun and come down on the target. If you look at the overhead baffles the result of this can be seen in the many holes and dents in them. Bring your gun UP onto the target, do not start with the gun’s muzzle raised above.
15. Any damage to the premises or ranges shall be reported to club officials.Failure to do so SHALL subject a member to disciplinary action.
Mistakes happen. If you damage club property, tell us! Leave a note, send an email or leave a voicemail. There are numerous cameras on the range, ready room, office and parking lots. Anyone caught stealing club or members property will be expelled and reported to the local police department.
16. No guest shall handle or fire any firearm unless under the direct supervision of a member.
A member shall only have two guests on the range at a time. One guest in the port and the other behind the RED safety line. More than two guests shall remain in the Ready/Main room. Members are responsible for their guests at all times while on club property
17. A member and their guest are limited to ONE shared firing port.
For safety reasons, the member is responsible and required to pay close attention to their guest in the port. The second guest is allowed on the range for observation purposes.
18. Persons under the influence of, or in possession of intoxicating substances/drugs SHALL NOT be allowed on the premises.
If you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, MVGC is not the club for you. Anyone found to be under the influence of intoxicating substances will have their membership revoked immediately. Possession of illegal substances on MVGC property will result in immediate revocation of your membership.
19. No smoking, food or beverages are allowed on the ranges.
Smoking is prohibited on the range! Unburned powder is all over the range. An errant butt or ash could cause a major fire. Food and beverages will absorb lead from the air in the range which you will in turn ingest when you eat or drink them. Leave food and beverages out of the range.
20. Use the “DUD” box for the disposal of misfired or unfired cartridges.
There is an aluminum “dud” box on the front of the command console. Use it for all misfired and unfired cartridges you want to be rid of . Do not place misfired or unfired cartridges in the trash! The trash may be incinerated and could cause a major problem.
21. The range shall not be used for training people for personal profit or gain.
MVGC encourages you to teach new shooters and perhaps introduce them to our sport. You may not charge anyone for instruction and use MVGC facilities in their training. Anyone doing so faces expulsion. There is a huge liability issue involved.
22. No drawing from a holster on the ranges. (Only at approved activities or when unholstering your carry firearm while in a port. (Unholster, practice, re-holster when done)
You may not draw a loaded gun except at a MVGC sanctioned match or under the direct supervision of a MVGC Certified Range Officer.
23. No black powder firearms of any kind are allowed due to fire hazards.
Due to fire hazard and safety issues we do not allow black powder, black powder substitutes or smokeless powder muzzleloaders to be shot on our ranges.
24. Shooters SHALL only engage a target within their shooting lane. NO cross firing allowed. (Except during approved activities.)
No cross firing unless in a sanctioned match.
25. MVGC members SHALL display their keycard for identification purposes while in the club.
In order to identify the responsible member via surveillance, displaying the card key is required for all members.
26. No one shall shoot on a range unless the range lights are on.
Exception: During an approved club event.
Remember, all members are responsible for the enforcement of these rules. If you should observe any of these rules being broken, please try and identify the person, if possible, note the time of the infractions and notify a club officer, by phone or email.
NOTE: As of March 7, 2013, there is no smoking including electronic cigarettes allowed in the club whenever the club is open to non-members. This includes, but is not limited to, pistol school, junior rifle, scouts, GBPL, USPSA, Friday action shooting, static steel, etc. It's still OK to smoke at other times, but please be considerate of your fellow members.
If you have any questions about any of these rules, please ask a board member for clarification.