Chapter 10 · Penalties · p.68
10.5Match Disqualification – Unsafe Gun Handling
Examples of unsafe gun handling include, but are not limited to:
a firearm at any time except when in a designated safety area (or in the case of long guns, elsewhere deemed safe by a Range Officer), or when under the supervision of and in response to a direct command issued by a Range Officer. This includes deliberately removing a flag from a long gun except under the conditions listed here. This does not apply to the carrying of PCCs, rifles, or shotguns where Rule 5.2.2 will apply.
If at any time during the a competitor allows the muzzle of his firearm to point rearwards, that is further than 90 degrees from the median intercept of the backstop, or in the case of no backstop allows the muzzle to point uprange, whether the firearm is loaded or not. (Limited exceptions: Rules 10.5.5 and 8.2.7.) An abandoned firearm found to be pointed in an unsafe direction will be considered a violation. When abandoned in a vertically set barrel any muzzle down orientation is considered a safe direction.
If at any time during the , or while loading, preloading, or a competitor drops his firearm, or causes it to fall, loaded or not.
A competitor who for any reason during a safely and intentionally places the firearm on the ground or other stable object will not be disqualified provided the competitor maintains constant physical contact with the firearm until it is placed firmly and in a safe direction, securely on the ground or another stable object, and remains within 1 yard of the firearm at all times. Firing a second firearm while a firearm has been placed in this manner will result in a DQ.
Abandoning a outside of the retention device will result in a Match DQ. Note: If the shooter remains within 1 yard of the firearm as specified in Rule 10.5.3.1 the firearm is not considered abandoned.
Allowing the muzzle to point at any part of any person’s body during a (i.e., sweeping). This includes anyone passing in front of the muzzle of an abandoned firearm whether they are the current shooter or not. Non- shooters (i.e., spectators or other people) may be subject to 10.6.2 for violation. If the RO is swept, the Range Master must be called to determine if it was RO interference or a DQ.
Exception – A match disqualification is for sweeping of the lower extremities (below the belt) while drawing or re-holstering of the handgun provided that the competitor’s fingers are clearly outside of the trigger guard. This exception is only for handguns.
Failing to point the muzzle of any firearm at a side berm or back stop during casing or uncasing. The berm/backstop is not required while removing/returning a properly flagged long gun from/to a vehicle providing all other safety rules are followed.
any person with the muzzle of any firearm, whether loaded or not, even if a chamber flag is inserted, at any time during the match.
While , allowing the muzzle of a loaded handgun to point uprange beyond a radius of 3 feet from a competitor’s feet while drawing or re-holstering.
Having more than one handgun, one rifle, one shotgun, and one pistol caliber carbine at any point in time during a . (This does not apply to match supplied prop guns or a match requiring a fifth firearm such as a bolt rifle.)
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard while clearing a malfunction or when adjusting a part on the firearm (e.g., stock, sight).
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, preloading, , or . (Exceptions: While complying with the “Make Ready” command to lower the hammer of a gun without a decocking lever.)
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during movement in accordance with Section 8.5.
Holstering a loaded handgun in any of the following conditions:
10.5.10.1 A self-loading handgun with the safety not applied.
10.5.10.2 A or handgun with the hammer cocked and the safety not applied.
10.5.10.3 A revolver with the hammer cocked.
10.5.10.4 If the primary safety on the firearm cannot be engaged due to the design of the firearm, and the hammer/trigger cannot be actuated in the condition the gun is in, the safety does not have to be applied. For example, a loaded handgun, per our definition, is one with a loaded magazine inserted into the magazine well. In a 1911 or similar design pistol, if the slide is not racked, and the hammer is not back, the safety cannot be applied. Although this gun is by definition loaded, it is considered to be in a safe condition if the hammer is down and the safety cannot physically be applied. In the event of doubt the Range Master is the final authority on this matter.
All these conditions apply the entire time the handgun is in the holster. See 8.1.2.4
live or (including practice or training rounds, snap caps and empty cases), loaded magazines or loaded speed loading devices in a Safety Area. The word “handling” does not preclude competitors from entering a Safety Area with ammunition in magazines or speed loading devices on their belt, in their pockets or in their range bag provided the competitor does not physically remove the loaded magazines or loaded speed loading devices from their retaining or storage device while within the Safety Area.
Having a other than when specifically ordered to by the Range Officer. See the Glossary for the definition of a loaded firearm.
Retrieving a dropped firearm. A dropped firearm must always be retrieved by a Range Officer who will ensure it is unloaded and properly secured in the competitor's holster or a suitable container. The Range Officer may, at his discretion, secure the gun himself or return it to the competitor who will secure it under supervision of the Range Officer.
Dropping an unloaded firearm or causing it to fall outside of a is not an infraction; however, a competitor who retrieves a dropped handgun will receive a match disqualification.
10.5.13.1 If a competitor’s gun is partially dislodged from his holster while outside a COF, and the competitor “traps” the gun in the holster (trigger not exposed) he may do so without penalty. The competitor should immediately proceed to a safe area and address any necessary equipment issues.
10.5.13.2 If the competitor’s gun has left the holster (trigger exposed) the gun must be treated as dropped. Even if the competitor is able to “trap” the gun before it falls to the ground he must safely and securely lower the gun to the ground and call for a RO to safely retrieve it.
Using metal piercing, steel core or jacketed, steel shot, or any round or shot containing tungsten, any incendiary and/or tracer ammunition (see Rule 5.5.5), and/or using any ammunition which has been deemed unsafe by a at any time during the match or on a regardless of target types engaged. (See Rules 5.5.7 and 5.5.8.)
10.5.14.1 Ammunition declared unsafe by a Range Official due to multiple squibs, shall not subject the competitor to disqualification unless the competitor fails to remove that ammunition from the match as directed.
Drawing a handgun while or while prone.
Firing a shot at a metal target from a distance of less than 23 feet with a handgun, 147 feet with a rifle, 16 feet with a shotgun when using birdshot or buckshot ammunition, or 147 feet when using slug ammunition. The distance is measured from the face of the target to the nearest part of the competitor’s body in contact with the ground. (See Rule 2.1.3.)
Re-slinging any firearm during a . (Once unslung and a round is chambered for use a firearm must not be re-slung. See 8.5.2.)
Firearms capable of fully automatic or burst fire, (one trigger pull results in firing more than one shot, and stocks or other devices that are capable of bump fire are not prohibited, providing they are not used in full auto, burst, or bump fire mode. Use of binary triggers (one pull and release of the trigger results in firing more than one shot), is prohibited. Use of such devices in full auto, burst, binary or bump fire mode, will result in a procedural penalty for the first , and a disqualification for any subsequent infractions. Bump firing without mechanical aid is not penalized, provided there are no other equipment or safety infractions, the firearm is not doubling, and it can be safely fired in semi-auto mode.
Attempting to clear a squib during a is considered unsafe gun handling and the competitor is subject to disqualification.
Failing to point the muzzle of a long gun at a side berm or back stop during casing/uncasing or removing/replacing on a conveyance or sweeping any person with the muzzle of a long gun, whether loaded or not, even if a chamber flag is inserted. Side berms/backstops may be used for casing and uncasing or removing from/placing on conveyances only. All other gun handling with the long gun, e.g., cleaning, dry-fire, repairs, etc., must be accomplished in a safety area or under the direct supervision of a Range Officer. Checking if dot is on/off, removing dot cover, and turning dot on/off may be done at casing/uncasing area provided the long gun is flagged and the muzzle remains in a safe direction. The berm/backstop is not required while removing/returning a properly flagged long gun from/to a vehicle providing all other safety rules are followed.