We have a few rules for safety while at our IDPA matches. We feel safety should always come first. Please read through these safety rules. This is a brief summary of what you will hear at the beginning of each of our matches.

1. We want everyone to enjoy themselves
2. This is a great way to practice your skills
3. Most importantly - please be safe

Each of you should have some experience with pistols and a basic understanding of how to properly use a firearm and how to be safe with one.

Now whether you are a beginner or an experience shooter, each of you will be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. We ask that you show this respect in return. As I will discuss, if you are given a procedural or safety violation, please understand that these penalties are a part of safety and the IDPA competition requirements. We ask that you be respectful, understand and show sportsmanship conduct. All rules will be enforced and everyone will be treated equally and fairly.

RANGE SAFETY OFFICERS

Range Safety Officers will be on the range with you at the firing line. If you do not understand the instructions given to you at the firing line or feel uncomfortable with a stage, please direct all questions to us. We are there to help you. However, no questions may be asked during live fire. We cannot assist everyone at one time or during firing of any firearms.

We ask that all spectators and all shooters waiting to be called to compete remain behind the firing line. Do not approach any Range Safety Officer while a person is shooting, being spoken to or being scored. We ask that if you are a spectator (not a shooter) you should have proper hearing protection and we do ask that you do not bring young children with you. If you need to bring children, then we respectfully request that they be off the range and not in the sitting area. We ask that you have them sit back by the vehicle without blocking the roadway and maintain control over them at all times. Please provide adequate seating and we also suggest water for proper hydration throughout the day.

COME PREPARED TO OUR MATCH. YOU MUST HAVE:

1. Ear Protection - This is to be worn at all times within 25 feet of the firing line - You MUST wear ear protection whether you are a shooter or a spectator. This rule applies to everyone on the range.
2. Holster - Competition type holster only - if you are not sure, please have a Range Safety Officer look at it;
3. Cover - Jacket, vest, shirt, etc. Concealed carry weapon action;
4. Rounds of Ammunition proper for your firearm
5. Enough reloaders/magazines - please have at least two on your person, and if more is needed for the stage you will be instructed.

SAFETY

IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAS LIVE AMMUNITION OR A LOADED MAGAZINE IN THEIR PISTOL/FIREARM AT THIS TIME? (wait and look at the people closely to see if someone is checking, proceed when confident)

At no time may you have ammunition loaded / magazine loaded in your firearm until you are ready to shoot. This is a cold range. Only until you are instructed to "LOAD AND MAKE READY" will you load ammunition into your firearm.

If you need to handle your pistol, you must bring it to the "SAFE AREA" (Point out and show everyone where that is).

FIRING LINE

There is a safety line (point it out - maybe behind the barrels if any). Only Range Safety Officers, scorekeepers, current shooter and designated photographers may approach the line. YOU MUST stay behind the firing line at all times until a Range Safety Officer says "RANGE IS CLEAR", only then can you approach the targets and paste them after they have been properly scored. At times, depending on the staged scenario, you may be asked to clear certain areas behind the firing line.

WARNINGS

During the match and possibly while you are in the middle of firing your pistol, you will hear the following warning commands. Failure to abide by these commands or having to repeat these commands will disqualify you from this match.

1. FINGER: This mean that your finger is on the trigger guard and you are to immediately remove your finger from the trigger guard. You should place your finger along the side of the frame;
2. MUZZLE: This means you have pointed your muzzle in an unsafe direction either at someone else, or yourself. When you hear this immediately correct this safety violation and point the firearm in a safe direction.
3. STOP: (Whoa) Means you MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY. No matter what, just stop. You have done something grossly unsafe. A STOP command could be multiple warnings for muzzle control, finger, dropping a firearm, misfire, or any call made by the Range Safety Officer to stop you immediately.
4. CEASE FIRE: Anyone can call CEASE FIRE. You MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY. Do not try to shoot, do not move just freeze where you are until further commands from the Range Safety Officer.

180 RULE

There is no 180 rules in IDPA. At the Little River Gun Club THERE IS a 180 Rule. You will know you are in violation of this rule when you hear a Range Safety Office says "MUZZLE". If the Range Safety Officer feels you are not adhering to his warnings, he may physically grab or push to point the firearm in a safe direction. If the Range Safety Office does this, DO NOT jerk, pull back, yank or move away. Just STOP IMMEDIATELY. The Range Safety Office will tell you how to proceed.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

The following will automatically disqualify you from this match:

1. NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE;
2. DROPPING A LOADED OR UNLOADED FIREARM;
3. A FIREARM FALLING FROM ITS HOLSTER;
4. GROSS UNSPORTSMANSHIP LIKE CONDUCT;
5. REPEATED WARNINGS FROM THE RANGE SAFETY OFFICER;
6. CHEATING
7. HANDLING A FIREARM WHILE NOT ON THE FIREING LINE AND NOT IN THE DESIGNATED "SAFE AREA";
8. COVERYING YOURSELF OR SOMEONE WITH A FIREARM;
9. USE OF ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT;
10. PREMATURE SHOT IN THE HOLSTER OR A SHOT STRIKING BEHIND THE FIREING LINE;
11. ANY USE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR DURING AN EVENT;
12. THIS IS A "COLD RANGE" AND YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO HAVE A LOADED FIREARM ANYWHERE ON RANGE UNLESS ASKED TO LOAD AND MAKE READY AT THE FIRING LINE.

If you are disqualified, you must unload your firearm, show clear and secure your firearm and not participate in the vent any further for that day. This does not mean you cannot come to our next month's match, it is a disqualification rule. These rules serve a safety purpose and if safety violations continue, you may be asked not to participate in any more events/matches by West Georgia Tactical Shooters.

COMMANDS

Commands that you should expect to hear while at the firing line:
1. Do you understand the course of fire?
2. Load and make read.
3. Shooter ready?
4. Stand by.
5. You will hear a buzzer for you to immediate engage your targets.
6. If you are finished, unload and show clear, and holster your firearm.

If there are any disagreements on the range the disagreement will be discussed and judged by the Range Safety Officers.

The stages will have a one-time walk through so as to familiarize you with the scenario. Remember targets must be shot in tactical order or tactical sequence. All instructions will be given. In regards to shooting from coverage, your body must be 50% covered unless otherwise specified.

All reloaded must be done from cover. You must always be either moving, shooting or behind cover. There is no standing still and shooting your target. If the scenario requires you to move from one area to the next, you must do so. If you hear a Range Safety Office tell you to "move" then you must continue through walking while shooting. Again, please be sure your understand the scenario. If you have any questions regarding the rules of IDPA you may look them up on the internet at www.IDPA.com You can download the complete rulebook from there.