Safety Procedures

Safety First!

Every person visiting (even non shooters) the Range must watch the ‘Safety Briefing Video’ (it is about 14min long) and then sign the Range’s electronic ‘Safety Waiver’. Once those are done, the RSOs on duty will give you a ‘CPSR Safety Briefing Completion’ card.

GENERAL

  • The use of alcohol or drugs including “medical marijuana” is prohibited.
  • This includes any medication that affects judgement or coordination.
  • Anyone appearing to be under the influence or impaired will be instructed to leave.
  • ALL GUNS USED AT THE RANGE MUST ENTER AND LEAVE UNLOADED.
  • Unloading or loading of guns in the parking lot or elsewhere other than at the shooting positions is prohibited.
  • Concealed carry of loaded handguns is allowed, but they must remain concealed at all times and may not be taken out for use at the range.
  • “Open carry” of holstered guns is NOT PERMITTED on the premises.
  • This includes empty “open carry” holsters.
  • All persons must comply with the instructions of the Range Safety Officer (“RSO”).
  • The use of tracer, incendiary or explosive ammunition is not allowed.
  • Binary triggers, other trigger accelerator or enhanced rate of fire devices are not permitted.
  • Clean up your spent brass, used targets and any trash before leaving.
  • Black powder/muzzle loader shooters see the black powder supplement.
  • Trap shooters see the trap range supplement.
  • IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING, PLEASE ASK US!

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE RANGE HOUSE

  • All persons entering the range must check in at the control booth before entering the shooting area.
  • Uncased guns entering and leaving the range building must be carried with the ACTION OPEN and MUZZLE POINTED UP while inside the building.
  • Uncased guns MAY NOT enter or leave the shooting area of the range building during “COLD RANGE”.
  • All persons entering the shooting area must sign the liability waiver and review the safety procedures.
  • This includes children and non-shooters.
  • All persons entering the shooting area must have eye and hearing protection.

“HOT RANGE” and “COLD RANGE”

  • Cowlitz Public Shooting Range cycles between “HOT RANGE” and “COLD RANGE” conditions.
  • “HOT RANGE” means shooting is permitted and guns may be uncased, cased, handled and moved between the shooting positions and storage racks.
  • “COLD RANGE” means shooting or gun handling is NOT permitted because people are down range of the shooting line setting up or retrieving targets and picking up spent brass forward of the red line.

SAFETY LINES & CONDITION LIGHTS

There are two safety lines painted on the floor of the shooting building; a RED LINE at the front of the shooting positions and a YELLOW LINE behind the shooting positions.

  • There are three amber colored flashing lights located above the shooting benches to indicate “HOT” or “COLD” range condition.

RANGE CONDITION ANNOUNCEMENTS

During transitions between “HOT RANGE” and “COLD RANGE”, an RSO will make announcements over the P.A. system.

  • A copy of the standard announcements is available for information.
  • When range condition announcements are made, please look at the control booth so the RSO knows you are paying attention, and respond to questions with a visual signal such as raising your hand.
  • For COLD RANGE, DO NOT cross the RED LINE until the RSO gives BOTH verbal permission AND turns the amber flashing lights ON.
  • For HOT RANGE, DO NOT go forward of the YELLOW LINE or handle anything on the shooting benches until the RSO gives BOTH verbal permission AND turns the amber flashing lights OFF.

COLD RANGE PROCEDURES

  • During COLD RANGE, all guns on the shooting benches must be completely unloaded with the action fully open and a range Chamber Flag properly inserted in the gun’s chamber area.
  • Any removable ammunition magazine must be removed from the gun even if it is empty.
  • If a gun is not completely unloaded, or if the action cannot be locked open with the chamber exposed, it must be safely placed in a wall rack behind the shooting line.
  • All guns with tube fed magazines must be placed in a rear rack when the range transitions to COLD RANGE.
  • During COLD RANGE the handling or touching of guns or gun related items, (magazines, ammunition, accessories, etc.), is NOT permitted.
  • During COLD RANGE nothing may be placed on or removed from the shooting benches, and guns may NOT be uncased, cased, carried or otherwise handled in any way.
  • During COLD RANGE, everyone must remain behind the YELLOW LINE except to go forward of the RED LINE to manage targets and pick up brass forward of the RED LINE/Shooting Positions.
  • Persons entering or leaving the range building during COLD RANGE may do so with CASED GUNS, but everything must remain behind the YELLOW LINE while the range is cold.

HOT RANGE PROCEDURES

  • DO NOT go forward of the RED LINE/Shooting Positions for ANY REASON during HOT RANGE.
  • All persons inside the shooting building must wear appropriate eye and hearing protection at ALL TIMES during HOT RANGE.

Safety Video

Below is the Range’s Safety Video, you can watch it now, but if you do not have a current ‘CPSR Safety Briefing Completion’ card, you will need to watch it again when you come to the Range.