Every range user must follow each of the rules below, as well as any directions of a Range Officer. The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs suggests that you read these rules in their entirety. The "bookmarks" below are intended only to help you return to a particular section; they do not imply that all of the applicable rules are found in that section.

Range Discipline

These range safety rules and regulations are designed to make our range as safe as possible and to safely and conveniently accommodate as many of our range members as possible at any given time. A Range Officer is present at all times the range is open, with authority to enforce these safety rules and regulations and assist members when necessary.

The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, Inc. is not responsible for enforcing either State or Federal Firearms Laws. We urge any member with questions about these laws to contact their attorney or one of the attorneys retained by the Association for this purpose. The latter are listed in each issue of our newsletter, News & Briefs.

General Range Use

With the exception of organized tournaments or special club activities, the use of the range is restricted to members holding a range privileges pass and their authorized guests.

These members must wear their pass in plain view, and have their membership card with them. The loan of a range privileges pass or membership card is prohibited. When you receive your pass, you may go directly to the range you want to use. Also, the clubhouse is open for your use. The code to open the front door appears on the bottom of your membership card. Please leave your clubhouse as you found it.

Every other month you will receive our newsletter, News & Briefs, in which you will find a list of all matches. The range on which the match is being held will be closed for that day (or as otherwise specified; all times are approximate).

Hunting and fishing are not allowed anywhere on the Association’s property. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on range property at any time.

The range is open from 8:30 A.M. until sundown. All vehicles must be off the range property by sundown.

In the event of a lightning storm, all ranges will be cleared.

When shooting on the range, a junior member must be supervised by an adult member who has full range privileges.

All litter should be removed from range property by member users. Spent shells must be picked up. Take out what you bring in.

Pets and children must be under the supervision of an adult, and are not permitted to run at will.

Safety Rules for Ranges

All safety rules and regulations must be strictly` adhered to at all times, without exception.
 

Range Officers' Authority

Abusive or profane language directed at any Range Officer will result in a review of your suitability for membership.

Firearms and Ammunition Restrictions

•  No fully automatic firearms are permitted.

• The use of firearms not designed to be fired from the shoulder or hand are prohibited.

• No firearms are allowed in which the action cannot be locked open. Only muzzleloaders are excepted.

• The use of tracer, incendiary or armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited.

Mandatory Safety Rules for All Ranges

• Firearms may be handled only when the firing line is ready (that is, when firing is permitted). NEVER handle a firearm during a cease fire.

• If you handle a firearm when anyone is in front of the firing line (or do not have a safety flag installed in the breech of a gun), you WILL be asked to leave the range property immediately.

• The muzzles of all firearms (even if installed with safety flags*) must be kept pointed downrange and toward the targets at all times. * Safety flags are always available from any Range Officer, at a nominal charge.

• Before shooters proceed forward of the firing line, the line must be made “safe”; that is, all firearms must be placed on a firing bench with breeches open and safety flags installed. Target changes are normally made on the hour and half hour.

• Firearms that are not being handled or that are unattended must either be cased or have a safety flag installed in the open breech (NOT in the gun’s muzzle).

• Firearms must not be handled after the line is made safe. The firing line will remain safe until all shooters are behind the firing line and standing behind the “yellow safety line”* to indicate that they are again ready to begin. * Handgun, Silhouette and 100 Yard Ranges.

• When transporting a firearm to and from a firing bench, it must be unloaded and must be in a gun case. When arriving at a range, firearms must remain in their gun cases during a cease fire (do not touch or handle firearms at all, unless the line is hot and firing is permitted).

• At all times, treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

• Targets representing ANY identifiable person are strictly forbidden.

• Any firing at cans, bottles, wildlife or any other improper target is strictly prohibited.

• There will be no reckless rapid firing on any range (governed by the Range Officer’s judgment).

• The wearing of hearing protection and proper eye protection is mandatory for all shooters and anyone standing along the firing line.

• Firearms should be loaded on the firing line only (except muzzleloaders).

Rules for the Silhouette Range

• Firing of rifles and handguns at the silhouette range is limited to standard velocity .22 long rifle rimfire only (.22 Magnums are not permitted), and at silhouettes placed on stands at specified distances.

Rules for the Archery Range

• Broad heads are not allowed. Only target arrows maybe used.

Procedure for Use of Red Warning Lights on the 100 Yard and Handgun Ranges

• Call for a cease fire.

• Ask the shooters if the line is ready to be made safe.

• Let the shooters finish their strings, then clear their firearms and make them safe (install safety flags).

• Ask the shooters to step back from firing bench and behind the yellow safety line.

• Turn on the red warning lights and alarm signal.

• Visually ensure that the line is safe.

• Go out to the targets.

• After everyone has returned from the targets and the line is to be made hot once again, all shooters must be standing behind the yellow safety line. After an announcement is made, and everyone is ready, turn off the red warning lights. At this point, the shooters may return to the firing benches and continue.

Rules for the 100 Yard Range

• The 100 Yard Range is for shooting at paper targets only (standard distances are 50 and 100 yards).

• The left 5 positions on the range are for black powder; positions6 through 39 are for center-fire rifles and shotguns with slugs; and positions 40 through 50 are for .22 rimfire.

Rules for the Handgun Range

• Never remove a handgun from its case at the seating bench (behind the yellow safety line) for inspection (or to carry it over to a firing bench).

• When loading a handgun, always keep it pointed downrange. Never point the gun towards the side.

• Junior members (under age 12) are not allowed to fire handguns.

• Holstered guns can be used for Police Combat practice only, by authorized personnel. No holstered guns may be worn off the firing line (i.e., walking around the range).

• The Handgun Range is for shooting at paper targets only (standard distances are 25, 50 and 100 yards).

• The last five positions on the right, are for black powder.

Rules for the High Power/Big Bore Range

• Single paper targets (with one aim point) may be stapled to the existing frames in the pit. All targets must be centered on the frames.

• Firing will be at 200 yards from 8:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Firing will be at 300 yards after 1:00 P.M. Firing may continue at 200 yards after 1:00 P.M. only if no one wishes to fire at 300 yards.

• Handguns may be fired from the 200 yard line, provided that they have a minimum barrel length of 8 inches and only in an approved caliber (see a Range Officer for specifics). Shooting positions must be prone or from a rest.

Rules for the Shotgun Range

• Positively no slugs or buckshot are to be fired on the shotgun range.

• The Shotgun Range is to be used only for patterning and aerial shooting at clay targets.

• The use of shot size larger than 7-1/2 (bird shot) is not desired for aerial shooting.

• Remove empty corrugated boxes from the range.

Rules for Black Powder Firearms

• Only black powder or black powder substitutes may be used and they are not allowed in the clubhouse. No smoking within 8 feet of black powder.

• All loading will be done from pre-measured loads.

• Pre-measured, self-contained loads only may be used on the firing line.

• All capping and priming will be done on the firing line only.

• No duplex loads are to be used in muzzleloaders.

• Flintlocks must use a flash shield on the pan.

• All powder cans and horns must be kept closed and on the loading bench.

• When target changes are requested, any muzzleloader not in the firing process will be unprimed and put in the rifle rack at the loading bench, with its muzzle pointing up.

•  If a muzzleloader is fouled and cannot be cleared, it must be flooded with water before leaving the range area. Contact a Range Officer for assistance.

Target Frame*

This is a variation of the frame that must be used on the Handgun, 100 Yard and Rimfire (area) Ranges. The frame is made from 1-5/8x 1-5/8 wood stock (standard 2 x 2), 6 feet high and 24 inches wide (outside measurements).

*The ANJRPC currently offers a convenient, folding leg version of this frame at a reasonable price.

Click on drawing to enlarge

Guest Privileges

A sponsoring member must sign in with the range officer (or other duly appointed person) with their membership card and range privileges pass. The guest will furnish their name and address. All shooting guests must sign in BEFORE handling firearms.

Guests under 12 years of age are not allowed to fire or even handle handguns.

All shooting guests must be at least ten years old and must be accompanied by the sponsoring adult member (who has full range use privileges).

The guest will receive some form of identification and a copy of these safety rules and regulations.

Current fee is $25 per guest per visit.

All guests must use the same firing position as the sponsoring member (who is fully responsible for the actions of his guest).

A sponsoring member may bring only one shooting guest, per visit, to the range.