1. Firearm Safety and Safe Range Operation
MGySgt Bailey

2. This lesson introduces you to the main parts of the air rifle and the safest way in which to use it.

3. Lesson Objectives
Identify the main parts of a firearm that concern safety (muzzle, action, trigger).
Develop rules for safe firearm handling.
Understand rules and procedures for safe range operations.
Demonstrate rules for safe firearm handling.

4. Shooting Ranges
Safety Perimeter – Wall or barrier preventing unauthorized persons from entering the range.

5. Shooting Ranges
Target Holders – At one end of the range, there are a series of target holder.
Exterior wall or
Safety perimeter

6. Shooting Ranges
Firing Line – No one is allowed to cross the friing line until instructed to do so.
Exterior wall or
Safety perimeter
Target
Holders:
One for
each
firing
point

7. Shooting Ranges
Firing Points – The firing line is broken into divisions called firing points.
Exterior wall or
Safety perimeter
Target
Holders:
One for
each
firing
point
Firing Line

8. Shooting Ranges
Range Officer – A table for the range officer is located immediately behind the line of firing points.
Exterior wall or
Safety perimeter
Target
Holders:
One for
each
firing
point
Firing Points: One
For each shooter

9. Shooting Ranges
Preparation Area – Most ranges also have a preparation area behind the firing line.
Range Officer
stand or table
Exterior wall or
Safety perimeter
Target
Holders:
One for
each
firing
point
Firing Line
Firing Points: One
For each shooter

10. Warm Up Question
Which sentence describes your knowledge of Firearm Safety?
I haven’t had any classes on firearm safety.
I know not to point a firearm at anyone.
I have had a firearm safety class.
I have passed a firearm safety test.
Example:

11. Warm Up Question True or False:
The sport of target rifle shooting is one of the safest of all youth sports.
True
False
Example:

12. Introduction
There are several thousand JROTC teams and junior clubs that compete in position rifle shooting.
Target shooting is one of the safest of all sports because it is a sport where the safety of its participants can be assured when everyone follows basic safety rules.

13. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
These fundamental safety rules focus on three key part of every gun that control when and where the gun can be fired.
Those parts are the ______, ______, and ______.
muzzle
action
trigger
Muzzle
Action
Trigger

14. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Whenever anyone picks up a gun of any kind,
the first
thing that must be done is to control the direction the
muzzle is pointing.
Whenever anyone handles a gun of any kind, The gun muzzle should never be pointed at
other people under any circumstances!
The only direction your rifle will point is straight up toward the celling or down range toward your target.

15. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
As soon as the gun muzzle is pointing in a safe direction,
the second step is to check the action of the
rifle to ensure that a clear barrel indicator is installed.

16. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
With the muzzle pointing in a safe direction and the
action open with a clear barrel indicator installed so
that the gun cannot be fired,
the third safety
precaution is to hold or carry the rifle so that the
index finger is held outside of the trigger guard and
not on the trigger itself.

17. Lesson Question Make sure a CBI is installed Check the action
Whenever anyone picks up a rifle of any kind first safety
precaution:
Make sure a CBI is installed
Check the action
Check for air
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

18. Lesson Question
courtesy and respect
safety rules
sportsmanship and timeliness
All the above
Target shooting is one of the safest of all sports because it is a sport where the safety of its participants can be assured when everyone follows basic ______ _____ .

19. Lesson Question Trigger, safety, Action Muzzle, Bolt, Trigger
What three key part of every rifle controls when and where the rifle can be fired.
Trigger, safety, Action
Muzzle, Bolt, Trigger
Muzzle, Action, Trigger
Action, Air pressure, Trigger

20. Lesson Question
The second safety precaution/step is to check the action of the rifle to
Ensure a Clear Barrel indicator is installed
Check the action
Check for air
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

21. Lesson Question
The third safety precaution is to hold or carry the rifle so that the
Ensure a Clear Barrel indicator is installed
Check the action
index finger is held outside of the trigger guard and not on the trigger itself
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

22. Lesson Question Straight up toward the celling Straight down
Which are the only directions your rifle will pointed is straight up toward the celling or down range toward your target.
Straight up toward the celling
Straight down
Down range toward your target
A and C

23. When the Range Officer starts the PREPARATION period,
Range Commands
When the Range Officer starts
the PREPARATION period,
you may get into your firing position,
but you can not go downrange, close your action, or remove your CBI

24. Range Commands
When the command “STOP” is given,
it means just that, immediately take your finger off the trigger.
Under no circumstance will a shooter attempt to quickly fire another shot.

25. Range Commands When the command load is given,
you simple place the pellet into the action of the weapon
and push the bolt forward.
You may “NOT” fire until the command “FIRE” is given.

26. Pellet Direction
Flat end of the pellet goes toward the front of the weapon

27. Pellet Direction
Flared end of the pellet goes toward the rear of the weapon

28. Lesson Question Load my air rifle for the first shot
When I am on the firing line and the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period, I may.
Load my air rifle for the first shot
Remove the CBI, close the action and dry fire
Go downrange to see if my target is hung correctly
Get into my firing position.

29. The command LOAD means:
Lesson Question
The command LOAD means:
I can load my air rifle and start shooting
It may occasionally be violated if accidents do not occur
I can insert a pellet and push the bolt forward
I can start shooting my air rifle

30. Lesson Question True False
No one is authorized to fire a shot until the command START is given, even if the command LOAD has already been given.
True
False

31. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
All safety rules are
important when
handling any weapon
no matter the size or
power rating.

32. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
The most important component of rifle safety is:
“YOU” the person holding the rifle

33. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle
is:
Open the action
Insert a pellet
Then push the bolt forward

34. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
If your rifle malfunctions (fails to fire) you must:
Keep your muzzle pointed downrange
Raise your hand so the Range Officer can see it
Wait for instructions from the Range Officer

35. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Although dry firing is discouraged,
you must be on your designated
firing point and the Range Officer
begins the PREPARATION period.
Your rifle must be charged when
attempting to dry fire your rifle

36. Lesson Question True False
Safety rules are not as important in being safe with air guns because air rifles are not very powerful.
True
False

37. Lesson Question
If I still have a loaded rifle (pellet in the barrel) after the Range Officer gives the command STOP, I must
Remain in position and keep my air rifle muzzle pointed downrange
Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it
Follow the Range Officer’s instruction
All of the above

38. Lesson Question The most important component of rifle safety is:
The trigger
The action
The muzzle
The person holding the rifle

39. Lesson Question
The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle is:
Open the action, charge the air, then insert a pellet
Open the action, insert a pellet, then push the charging handle forward
Whichever way works for me
Charge air, open the action, then insert a pellet

40. Lesson Question
When my air rifle malfunctions (fails to fire), I must:
Keep the muzzle pointed downrange
Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it
Wait for instructions from the Range Officer
All of the above

41. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
everyone must
open their actions and point their
rifle muzzles up.
Before anyone can go down range
for any reason,

42. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
If your rifle is still loaded (pellet in the barrel) after the
Range Officer gives the command to STOP, you must:
Remain in position and keep your muzzle pointed
downrange
Raise your hand so the Range Officer can see it
Follow the Range Officer’s instructions

43. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
When ever a shooter is “NOT” firing (rifle is grounded):
The action must remain open, with CBI installed

44. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
When handling your rifle
the action must remain
open, unless you are
attempting to fire a shot
at your target

45. Lesson Question True False
To dry fire my air rifle, I do not need to push the bolt forward.
True
False

46. Lesson Question
Before anyone can go downrange to change a target or for any purpose:
Everyone must open their rifle actions and point their rifle muzzles up
No one can go downrange until rifles are placed in safe storage
All air rifle must be unloaded, ground with CBI’s inserted and checked
All firers must finish firing

47. Lesson Question The command “STOP” means
Complete the shot I am attempting to fire
Quickly complete the shot I am attempting to fire
Immediately take my finger off the trigger and do not fire anymore shots
Tell the Range Officer I am not done

48. Lesson Question True False
After I finish firing, I may put my rifle down without opening the action first because it has just been fired.
True
False

49. Lesson Question
The only place I can close the bolt/action of my rifle and dry fire is:
It’s OK to dry fire anywhere the gun is pointing in a safe direction
Any time I am forward of the Ready Line
On a safe range
On my designated firing point after the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period

50. Lesson Question
If I am with someone else who is handling a rifle behind the firing line with the action closed, I should
Wait for an adult to show up
Mind my own business and hope nothing bad happens
Tell that person to put the rifle away
Ask that person to open the action immediately

51. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Only place your finger
on the trigger after you
start to aim at you target

52. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Once the command to fire
has been given, no one can
leave the firing line unless the
Range Officer gives permission to
do so, even if you have finished
firing your shots.

53. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
A rifle is considered “unloaded” :
The action open
No pellet in the barrel
Clear Barrel Indicator (CBI) inserted

54. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
A rifle is considered grounded if it is:
Lying on the floor or bench
The action open
Clear Barrel Indicator (CBI) inserted

55. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
everyone who handles air
rifle pellets should wash their
Hands Immediately after they
leave the range.
Because most pellets are made of
lead,

56. Lesson Question True False
When I finish firing my shots on a target, I should lay my rifle down, but I don’t have to open the action or insert a CBI until the Range Officer tells me to do that.
True
False

57. Lesson Question True False
When I am shooting after the command to LOAD and START has been given, it’s OK to lay a loaded air rifle on my mat or bench and step away from the firing line.
True
False

58. Lesson Question
The proper time to place the index finger on the trigger is:
After I start to aim at my target
After I load my rifle
When I start to put the rifle in position on my shoulder
Whenever it feels right

59. Lesson Question An air rifle is considered “unloaded” if:
The Action is open
The shooter is done firing
The action is open, there is no pellet in the barrel, and a CBI is inserted
The muzzle is pointed in a safe direction

60. Lesson Question When a rifle is grounded, it must: Be safe
Be lying on the floor or bench with its action open and CBI inserted
Be lying on the floor or shooting mat with action closed
Be prepared for use in the next position

61. Lesson Question True False
Everyone who handles air rifle pellets should wash their hands immediately after they leave the range?
True
False

62. Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Although Target Shooting is one of the safest
sports in the world, careless handling or horse play
with a weapon may lead to this!!!!!!
DON’T BECOME A PHOTO OP

63. Questions

64. Lesson Review True or False:
The sport of target rifle shooting is one of the safest of all youth sports.
True
False
Example:

65. Lesson Review Make sure a CBI is installed Check the action
Whenever anyone picks up a rifle of any kind first safety
precaution:
Make sure a CBI is installed
Check the action
Check for air
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

66. Lesson Review
courtesy and respect
safety rules
sportsmanship and timeliness
All the above
Target shooting is one of the safest of all sports because it is a sport where the safety of its participants can be assured when everyone follows basic ______ _____ .

67. Lesson Review Trigger, safety, Action Muzzle, Bolt, Trigger
What three key part of every rifle controls when and where the rifle can be fired.
Trigger, safety, Action
Muzzle, Bolt, Trigger
Muzzle, Action, Trigger
Action, Air pressure, Trigger

68. Lesson Review
The second safety precaution/step is to check the action of the rifle to
Ensure a Clear Barrel indicator is installed
Check the action
Check for air
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

69. Lesson Review
The third safety precaution is to hold or carry the rifle so that the
Ensure a Clear Barrel indicator is installed
Check the action
index finger is held outside of the trigger guard and not on the trigger itself
Control the direction the muzzle is pointing

70. Lesson Review Straight up toward the celling Straight down
Which are the only directions your rifle will pointed is straight up toward the celling or down range toward your target.
Straight up toward the celling
Straight down
Down range toward your target
A and C

71. Lesson Review Load my air rifle for the first shot
When I am on the firing line and the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period, I may.
Load my air rifle for the first shot
Remove the CBI, close the action and dry fire
Go downrange to see if my target is hung correctly
Get into my firing position.

72. The command LOAD means:
Lesson Review
The command LOAD means:
I can load my air rifle and start shooting
It may occasionally be violated if accidents do not occur
I can insert a pellet and push the bolt forward
I can start shooting my air rifle

73. Lesson Review True False
No one is authorized to fire a shot until the command START is given, even if the command LOAD has already been given.
True
False

74. Lesson Review True False
Safety rules are not as important in being safe with air guns because air rifles are not very powerful.
True
False

75. Lesson Review
If I still have a loaded rifle (pellet in the barrel) after the Range Officer gives the command STOP, I must
Remain in position and keep my air rifle muzzle pointed downrange
Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it
Follow the Range Officer’s instruction
All of the above

76. Lesson Review The most important component of rifle safety is:
The trigger
The action
The muzzle
The person holding the rifle

77. Lesson Review
The safest and correct way to load a pneumatic air rifle is:
Open the action, charge the air, then insert a pellet
Open the action, insert a pellet, then push the charging handle forward
Whichever way works for me
Charge air, open the action, then insert a pellet

78. Lesson Review When my air rifle malfunctions (fails to fire), I must:
Keep the muzzle pointed downrange
Raise my hand so the Range Officer can see it
Wait for instructions from the Range Officer
All of the above

79. Lesson Review True False
To dry fire my air rifle, I do not need to push the bolt forward.
True
False

80. Lesson Review
Before anyone can go downrange to change a target or for any purpose:
Everyone must open their rifle actions and point their rifle muzzles up
No one can go downrange until rifles are placed in safe storage
All air rifle must be unloaded, ground with CBI’s inserted and checked
All firers must finish firing

81. Lesson Review The command “STOP” means
Complete the shot I am attempting to fire
Quickly complete the shot I am attempting to fire
Immediately take my finger off the trigger and do not fire anymore shots
Tell the Range Officer I am not done

82. Lesson Review True False
After I finish firing, I may put my rifle down without opening the action first because it has just been fired.
True
False

83. Lesson Review
The only place I can close the bolt/action of my rifle and dry fire is:
It’s OK to dry fire anywhere the gun is pointing in a safe direction
Any time I am forward of the Ready Line
On a safe range
On my designated firing point after the Range Officer begins a PREPARATION period

84. Lesson Review
If I am with someone else who is handling a rifle behind the firing line with the action closed, I should
Wait for an adult to show up
Mind my own business and hope nothing bad happens
Tell that person to put the rifle away
Ask that person to open the action immediately

85. Lesson Review True False
When I finish firing my shots on a target, I should lay my rifle down, but I don’t have to open the action or insert a CBI until the Range Officer tells me to do that.
True
False

86. Lesson Review True False
When I am shooting after the command to LOAD and START has been given, it’s OK to lay a loaded air rifle on my mat or bench and step away from the firing line.
True
False

87. Lesson Review
The proper time to place the index finger on the trigger is:
After I start to aim at my target
After I load my rifle
When I start to put the rifle in position on my shoulder
Whenever it feels right

88. Lesson Review An air rifle is considered “unloaded” if:
The Action is open
The shooter is done firing
The action is open, there is no pellet in the barrel, and a CBI is inserted
The muzzle is pointed in a safe direction

89. Lesson Review When a rifle is grounded, it must: Be safe
Be lying on the floor or bench with its action open and CBI inserted
Be lying on the floor or shooting mat with action closed
Be prepared for use in the next position

90. Lesson Review True False
Everyone who handles air rifle pellets should wash their hands immediately after they leave the range?
True
False