Chapter 10 · Penalties · p.66
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 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 except under the conditions listed here.
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: 10.5.6).
If at any time during the , or while loading, or , a competitor drops his firearm or causes it to fall, loaded or not. Note that a competitor who, for any reason during a course of fire, safely and intentionally places the firearm on the ground or other stable object will not be disqualified provided:
10.5.3.1 The competitor maintains constant physical contact with the firearm, until it is placed firmly and securely on the ground or another stable object, and
10.5.3.2 The competitor remains within 3 feet of the firearm at all times (except where the firearm is placed at a greater distance, under the supervision of a , in order to comply with a ), and
10.5.3.3 The provisions of Rule 10.5.2 do not occur, and
10.5.3.4 The firearm is in the ready condition as specified in Section 8.1, or
10.5.3.5 A self-loading firearm has an empty chamber, the magazine removed, and the slide/bolt locked open, or
10.5.3.6 A revolver has the cylinder open and empty.
Drawing or holstering a handgun within the confines of a tunnel. Holstering may be permitted under the direction of a .
Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point at any part of any person’s body during a (i.e. sweeping). If the RO is swept, the Range Master must be called to determine if it was RO interference or a DQ.
10.5.5.1 Exception – A match disqualification is for sweeping of the lower extremities (below the belt) while drawing or re- holstering a handgun, provided that the competitor’s fingers are clearly outside of the trigger guard. This exception is only for handguns. does not apply to a handgun holstered in compliance with Rules 5.2.1 and 5.2.7.
10.5.5.2 Sweeping any person with the muzzle of a during or outside the course of fire, whether loaded or not, even if a chamber flag is inserted. Exception - If carried muzzle-down outside the course of fire, inadvertent sweeping of the competitor's lower extremities with the PCC is exempt provided the PCC is unloaded and flagged. However, deliberately pointing at or placing the muzzle of a PCC on a lower extremity is a disqualification for sweeping.
While , allowing the muzzle of a to point uprange beyond a radius of 3 feet from a competitor’s feet while drawing or re-holstering.
Wearing or using more than one firearm at any point in time during a .
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, , or . Exception: while complying with the “Make Ready” command to lower the hammer of a gun without a decocking lever, or while initially loading a revolver with a spurless hammer.
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during movement in accordance with Section 8.5.
Holstering or placing a , in any of the following conditions:
10.5.11.1 A self-loading firearm with the safety not applied. If the primary safety on the firearm cannot be engaged due to the design of the firearm, and the hammer or trigger cannot be actuated in the condition the gun is in, the safety does not have to be applied. If the gun is completely empty, the safety need not be applied.
10.5.11.2 A or pistol with the hammer cocked and the safety not applied.
10.5.11.3 A revolver with the hammer cocked.
All these conditions apply the entire time the firearm is in the holster or placed on an object as required by the Written Stage Briefing. See 8.1.2.5.
live or (including practice or training rounds, snap caps and empty cases), loaded magazines or loaded speed loading devices in a Safety Area, or failing to comply with Rule 2.4.1. 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 ammunition, 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.
Retrieving a dropped firearm:
A 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 firearm will receive a match disqualification.
Using metal piercing, steel-core, incendiary, and/or tracer ammunition, as well as ammunition loaded with steel-jacketed projectiles (see Rule 5.5.3), and/or using any ammunition which has been deemed unsafe by a . (See rule 5.5.5)
10.5.15.1 Ammunition declared unsafe by a Range Official due to multiple squibs, shall not subject the competitor to disqualification, unless the competitor continues to use said ammunition after a Range Official has declared it unsafe.
A shot fired at a metal target from a distance of less than 23 feet, 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).
PCCs 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. Binary triggers (one pull and release of the trigger results in firing more than one shot) use 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.
Unsafe handling: Failing to point a PCC in a safe direction during casing/uncasing or placing/replacing on a conveyance/vehicle or violating other actions outlined in 5.2.1 or 2.6.2. The berm/backstop is not required while removing/returning a properly flagged PCC from/to a vehicle providing all other safety rules are followed.
Attempting to clear a squib during a . (See 5.7.2.1)