Video: Range Etiquette in Louisiana

 

Range Etiquette in Louisiana Transcript

Speaker 1: There are many shooting ranges in Louisiana, and different ranges have different rules regarding whether or not firearms must be carried onto the range cased or uncased. If unsure, you can check with the Range Safety Officer prior to carrying your firearm onto the range. All firearms must be unloaded when going to the range.

Range Safety Officer (RSO) 1: Morning, guys. Welcome to Honey Island. Y’all been out before?

Speakers 2 and 3: No, sir, we have not.

RSO 1: OK, put your case on with your muzzle pointed this way. Open it up for me.

Speaker 1: Typically, if the range is staffed, there will be Range Safety Officers at the check-in station to greet you. Safely display your firearm to the RSO and wait for further instruction. Once you have displayed your firearms and suited up with eye and ear protection, the RSO will instruct you to proceed further down the range.

A Range Officer will greet you, go over the rules, and notify you if the range is hot or cold. In the case you’re at an unstaffed firing range, look for signs if the range is hot (hearing shots being fired) or if the range is cold (no firearms being used on the line).

Onscreen:

Hot Range

• Shots are being fired
• There are people at the firing line

Cold Range

• No one is using a firearm
• No one is at the firing line

When there aren’t RSOs at the range, it is important to coordinate with others at the range to keep a safe atmosphere and allow ample hot and cold times between shooting rounds.

Only when a range is cold should you approach the target area to change out targets. Further, when a range is cold, all firearms should be unloaded and pointed in safe directions.

RSO 2: Rifle on, rifle on. Does anyone need more time? The line is hot. You may fire when ready.

Speaker 1: When the range is hot is the only time firearms should be loaded and fired.

When you are finished using your firearm for the day, ensure that the range is still hot before bringing your case to the firing line, unloading your firearm, re-casing it, and ensuring the muzzle is pointed downrange. Firearms should never leave the range loaded.

RSO 2: Pistol line, pistol line. One shooter. Pistol line.

Speaker 1: When moving between firing lines, for example, from rifle to pistol, check with the RSO present to ensure that space is available on the other range and it is safe to move firearms from one location to another.

RSO 1: So you can case and uncase on the front bench. That’s the only place you can case and uncase. I want you to take—if you’re not going to shoot your rifle, we’ll put that in the rack, and everything else will go forward. And keep your muzzle pointed downrange.

If you follow me, I’m going to put you at station 16. All right, there you go.

Speaker 1: If you are switching between ranges and at an unmanned range, it is important to introduce yourself to other neighbors in the shooting area. Shooters should be mindful of other users around them. This includes being aware of where their spent cases are ejecting to ensure that you’re not hitting anyone with hot brass.

If you’re at a staffed range and would like to move to a different area of the firing line, check with the RSO before moving.

RSO 1: All right, Bob, I got a man coming from plates. And there you go. All right, sir. That’s great.

Speaker 1: They will ensure it is safe for one to move and provide further instruction.

Many shooters reload or hand load ammunition. Be sure to check with your neighbors before picking up any brass other than your own. If you do not keep your spent brass, be sure to place it in containers commonly placed on ranges for spent brass. If there are none available, take it with you for later disposal, and place it in the supplied trash can.