Range Line Rules
The National Rifle Association’s fundamental gun safety rules:
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to shoot.
When a cartridge fails to fire immediately or anything unusual occurs, keep the gun pointed down range for at least 30 seconds. Do not attempt to open the action. Call a Range Officer immediately for assistance. Below are some possible scenarios that may cause a safety issue.
Providing or appearing to provide professional instruction services is strictly prohibited.
- Use only the correct ammunition for your firearm. If in doubt, ask a Range Officer for assistance.
- Know how your firearm operates. If in doubt, ask a Range Officer for assistance.
- Misfire: A failure of the cartridge to fire after the trigger has been pulled and the primer has been struck by the firing pin.
- Hang fire: A failure of the cartridge to fire after the trigger has been pulled and the primer has been struck by the firing pin.
- Squib load: Development of less than normal pressure of velocity after ignition of the cartridge. If anything unusual is noticed when a shot is fired, such as a difference in recoil or noise, stop firing immediately. If you experience a malfunction stop firing always remember to keep the gun pointed down range and call a range officer for assistance.
After a review of the safety rules, you will be issued a patron safety card that must be presented along with an I.D. to the cashier each time you use the range. If your range identification card is stolen or misplaced, you will need to purchase a new safety card before you can use the range again.
- Only one bulls-eye is allowed to be placed on your target and must be placed in the center of your target. All bullets must enter the backstop.
- All firearms must be unloaded, actions open, magazines out and their cases at all times anywhere in the park. The only place where you can open your case and load firearm is at the front podium. Never open your case at the rear podium. Never move an uncased firearm from one podium to another.
- Patrons are not allowed to enter the range during a safe line. Patrons will only be allowed to enter during a hot line.
- Eye and ear protection is mandatory whether you are shooting or not and must be worn prior to entering the range. We recommend the use of appropriate clothes and shoes.
- Any palm size firearm, pistol grip shotguns or pistol grip rifles that do not have a butt stock or brace and any firearm not equipped with a trigger guard are not permitted on the range.
- No rapid fire allowed; no more than one shot every five seconds.
- Tracer ammunition and armor piercing rounds are not allowed on the range.
- During a safe line, there will be no handling of any firearm for any reason. Anything that is left on the podium is off limits. When going down range to check or place your target, you must cross quickly while not stopping between the red and yellow line or touching anything on your podium. When you return, cross quickly and stand behind the red line.
- Human silhouette targets are not permitted.
- When shooting on the rifle side, the barrel of the firearm must be over the yellow line at all times. On the pistol side, the entire firearm must be past the yellow line.
- All junior shooters (ages 10 to 17) must be under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
- Smoking is not permitted on the range.
- Shotguns can be used on the pistol side at any yardage. They can be used on the rifle side at 75 and 100 yards only. All slugs must enter the backstop in the area of the ballistic sand. Slugged shotgun shells only. Bird shot and buck shot are prohibited.
- Alcoholic beverages are forbidden in the park. If a shooter has been drinking or under the influence of any controlled substance, they will be removed from the park.
- Range personnel may handle any firearm they deem necessary.
- Shooters will be issued frames. All frames must be returned to the range house. Any shooter returning a frame that has been intentionally shot will be responsible for the cost of the frame.
- All brass must be placed in the container provided. Shooters may retain only their own brass. Shooters are prohibited from removing excessive brass.
- Shooters must cease fire immediately when any birds, ATVs, helicopters, airboats or any other foreign object comes into the field of vision of the range.
- All shooters are responsible for any and all damage they cause to the range. Shooters who purposely cause damage to the range, including shooting the PVC target holders, will be immediately removed from the range.
- Black powder guns must be packed and loaded at the rear podium and capped at the front podium. Black powder guns cannot be cleaned or handled during a safe line.
- Shooters may not handle a firearm, go down range to check or place a target, or begin firing until the Range Officer gives the command.
- .50 BMG and .416 Barrett caliber rifles and any rifle caliber in this caliber are not permitted.
- Sights are required to safely shoot your firearm. Firearms without sights are prohibited on the range.
- Handguns are prohibited on the rifle side, unless used with a scope and rest or bipod at 75 and 100 yards. All fired projectiles must enter the backstop in the area of the ballistic sand. High power rifles are prohibited on the pistol side.
- When shooting on the pistol side at the 7-yard line, it must be while in the standing position. Shooters can only shoot in the seated position at the 15-, 25- and 50-yard line.
- When shooting on the rifle side at the 25-yard line, it must be while in the seated position. Shooters may only shoot seated or prone at 50 75 and 100 yards.
- Patrons with disabilities can shoot sitting down on the pistol side in the appropriate podium and using the appropriate target. Assistance for placing the target will be provided for those who need it.
- Any shooter that does not adhere to the rules and poses a threat to his safety and the safety of others and will be removed from the range. All other Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces rules and regulations as outlined in Chapter 26 of the Miami-Dade County Code and Ordinance 59-14 will be strictly enforced.