Chapter 5 · Competitor Equipment · p.27
5.2Carry and Storage of Competitor Equipment
Handguns
Except when within the boundaries of a safety area or when under the supervision and direct command of a Range Officer competitors must carry their handguns unloaded in a gun case, gun bag or in a holster on a belt worn by the competitor.
Competitors carrying their handgun in a holster must have an empty magazine well and the hammer or striker must be de- cocked. Anyone found in violation of this rule will be immediately escorted by a Range Officer to a suitable range or safety area where appropriate corrective action shall be made.
The belt carrying the holster must be worn at which is deemed to be at the same level as the original belt loops on the lower garment. The belt or the inner belt (or both) must be securely fixed at the waist. Thigh holsters and mag holders are specifically allowed. Female competitors may be permitted to wear a belt at hip level; however, the top of the belt must not be positioned below the furthest lateral point of the top of the femur (tuberosity major).
5.2.1.3.1 The holster must be capable of retaining the handgun during the vigorous movement that may be required during the courses of fire.
5.2.1.3.2 The holster must allow the competitor to safely draw and re-holster the handgun without causing the muzzle to point in an unsafe direction.
5.2.1.3.3 The holster must completely prevent access to, or activation of the trigger of the handgun while .
5.2.1.3.4 The Range Master may deem that a competitor’s holster is unsafe and order that it be improved to his satisfaction, failing which it must be withdrawn from the match.
Competitors deemed by the Range Master to be significantly disabled may be given special dispensation in relation to the type and/or placement of their holster and related equipment and the Range Master will remain the final authority in respect of the safety and suitability of using such equipment at USPSA matches.
Long guns (Includes )
Except when within the boundaries of a safety area, or when under the supervision and direct command of a Range Officer, competitors must carry their long guns:
5.2.2.1.1 With detachable magazines removed.
5.2.2.1.2 Competitors must use a chamber safety flag, or clear chamber device, that is easily visible externally to the gun when transporting from vehicles or stage to stage. Anyone found in violation of this rule will be immediately escorted by a Range Officer to a suitable range or safety area where appropriate corrective action shall be made.
5.2.2.1.3 Unbagged long guns must be carried, shouldered or slung from the shoulder with the firearm reasonably vertical. Match Directors may require this to be "vertically upwards" or "vertically downwards" providing this is made clear to all competitors in a reasonable manner.
5.2.2.1.4 When transporting non-preloaded long guns from the staging area to the and back from where the shooter unloads and shows clear, the gun must be carried muzzle vertically upwards with the bolt closed on a chamber safety flag.
5.2.2.1.5 Transporting a preloaded shotgun from the preload table to the start position the firearm must be carried directly to the start position with the muzzle vertically upwards and the bolt closed on a chamber safety flag.
Belts, holsters, belt-mounted magazine holders and speed-loading devices and any other equipment worn or carried by the shooter may be changed, repositioned or reconfigured between stages provided that all equipment is in a rules-compliant configuration prior to the start of the shooter’s attempt on the .
Firearms that are being transported on a cart, vehicle, or other such conveyance must be situated on the conveyance in either a muzzle up or muzzle down orientation if not bagged. Under such conditions long guns must have a chamber safety flag inserted. The muzzle of any such firearm, if oriented down, must point to a spot within 3 feet of the conveyance. If pointed up, it must be oriented such that a person walking around the conveyance will not be covered by the muzzle if they are more than 3 feet away from the conveyance. All such measurements shall be taken while the conveyance is situated on flat, level ground. In the event of disagreement on how the firearm is being transported, the Range Master shall be the final authority as to the acceptability of such orientation.
Long guns (Rifles, Shotguns, and PCCs) must be cased/uncased or removed/replaced on a cart with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, as described above, directly into and within 2 yards of a side berm or backstop. Long guns can also be cased/uncased or removed/replaced on a cart under the direct supervision of a range officer with muzzle pointing at the backstop. Failure to point the muzzle at a side berm or back stop during casing/uncasing or removing/replacing on a cart will result in a DQ per 10.5.20. (Note: 2.4.1 prohibits handguns from being handled in this fashion. Handguns may only be handled in a Safety Area.)