8.4Loading, Reloading, Unloading, or Abandoning a Firearm During a Course of Fire

When loading, reloading or unloading during a course of fire, the competitor’s fingers must be visibly outside the trigger guard and the firearm must be pointed safely downrange or in another safe direction authorized by a Range Officer. (See Rules 10.5.2 and 10.5.8.)

Within the context of a Multigun stage a competitor may be required to “abandon” a firearm in order to use another firearm. In this context an “abandoned firearm” is a firearm which the competitor has used, placed in the provided retention device in accordance with course requirements, and subsequently moved more than one (1) yard away from. A competitor may return to and use an abandoned firearm provided its retrieval and use is done safely and in accordance with the stage procedure and all subsequent rules in this section. RO’s are cautioned about clearing abandoned firearms prematurely. (See Rule 8.4.2.3.)

An abandoned firearm must be in applicable ready condition (Section 8.1) or empty with no ammunition anywhere in the firearm. (See Rule 10.2.13.)

A competitor may, during abandonment of one firearm, handle another firearm to be used without penalty, providing all safety aspects are followed. (e.g., Abandoning a shotgun, and a handgun is to be used for the next array of targets, the competitor may draw the handgun while in the act of abandoning the shotgun). Neither firearm may be fired while competitor has both in hand. (See Rule 10.2.10.)

In order to reduce stage clearance time a Range Officer may be assigned to clear “abandoned” firearms, at the Range Master’s discretion, provided the stage design allows for this to be done in a way that allows the gun to be cleared in a safe direction and without interfering with the competitor’s attempt at the course of fire. In such cases the competitor’s delegate will accompany the official responsible for clearing abandoned firearms. Competitors must be advised of this procedure during the stage briefing. The RO and delegate shall verify that the abandoned firearm is in a legal abandoned state (e.g., properly positioned and safety-on or firearm empty). Upon verifying the condition, the RO will clear the firearm with the delegate confirming it is clear. The firearm may then be transported to the staging area or other specified location behind the firing line. Handguns must be bagged if they are to be moved to the staging area or a safe area. The Range Officer is responsible for the safe handling of the firearm during this process, including (but not limited to) muzzle direction.