Range Line Rules at Trail Glades Range

The National Rifle Association’s fundamental gun safety rules are:

• Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction
• Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• Always keep the firearm unloaded until you are ready to shoot.
• Use only the correct ammunition for your firearm. If you are unsure, ask a Range Officer for assistance.
• Know how your firearm operates. If you are unsure, ask a Range Officer for assistance.
• Sights are required to safely operate a firearm. Firearms without sights are prohibited on the range

If a cartridge fails to fire immediately or anything unusual occurs, keep the firearm pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds. Do not attempt to open the action. Call a Range Officer immediately for assistance.

Possible firearm malfunctions include:

• 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 delay between the primer being struck and the cartridge firing
• Squib load: The development of less-than-normal pressure or velocity after the cartridge is ignited. If you notice a difference in recoil, noise or any other unusual condition, stop firing immediately, keep the firearm pointed downrange and call a Range Officer for assistance

All firearms must remain unloaded and secured in their cases with actions open and magazines removed while anywhere in the park. Firearm cases may only be opened at the front podium. Never open a firearm case at the rear podium or move an uncased firearm from one podium to another.

During a safe line, firearms and any items left on the podium may not be handled for any reason. Black powder firearms may not be cleaned or handled during a safe line.

Shooters may not handle a firearm, go downrange to check or place a target or begin firing until instructed by a Range Officer.

Range personnel may handle any firearm when they determine it is necessary for safety.

Eye and ear protection is mandatory for everyone entering the range, whether shooting or observing. Protection must be worn before entering the range. Appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Patrons may not enter the range during a safe line. Entry is only permitted during a hot line.

When going downrange during a safe line, cross quickly without stopping between the red and yellow lines or touching anything on the podium. When returning, cross quickly and remain behind the red line.

All junior shooters between the ages of 10 and 17 must remain under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park. Anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will be removed from the park.

Smoking is not permitted on the range.

Shooters must immediately cease fire when birds, ATVs, helicopters, airboats or any other foreign object enter the field of vision of the range.

Patrons with disabilities may shoot from a seated position on the pistol side using the appropriate podium and target. Assistance with placing targets will be provided when needed.

Any shooter who fails to follow the rules or poses a threat to their safety or the safety of others will be removed from the range.

1. All Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces rules and regulations established under Chapter 26 of the Miami-Dade County Code and Ordinance 59-14 will be strictly enforced.
2. Providing or appearing to provide professional instruction services is strictly prohibited.
3. After reviewing the safety rules, patrons will receive a safety card. The card must be presented with a valid photo ID to the cashier each time the range is used. Lost, stolen or misplaced cards must be replaced before the patron may use the range again.
4. All firearms must remain unloaded and inside their cases while anywhere in the park. Actions must be open and magazines removed.
5. Firearm cases may only be opened and firearms loaded at the front podium. Cases may not be opened at the rear podium, and uncased firearms may not be moved from one podium to another.
6. Patrons may only enter the range during a hotline. Entry is prohibited during a safe line.
7. Shooters may not handle a firearm, go downrange to check or place a target, or begin firing until instructed by a Range Officer.
8. During a safe line, firearms may not be handled for any reason, and anything left on the podium is off-limits.
9. When going downrange, patrons must cross quickly without stopping between the red and yellow lines or touching anything on the podium. Upon returning, patrons must cross quickly and stand behind the red line.
10. Eye and ear protection is mandatory for everyone entering the range, whether shooting or observing. Appropriate clothing and shoes are recommended.
11. All junior shooters ages 10 through 17 must remain under the direct supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
12. Range personnel may handle any firearm they determine necessary.
13. Sights are required to safely operate a firearm. Firearms without sights are prohibited.
14. Only one bullseye may be placed on a target, and it must be positioned in the center. All bullets must enter the backstop.
15. Human silhouette targets are prohibited.
16. Rapid fire is prohibited. Shooters may fire no more than one shot every five seconds.
17. Tracer ammunition and armor-piercing rounds are prohibited.
18. Palm-sized firearms, pistol-grip shotguns or rifles without a buttstock or brace, and firearms without a trigger guard are prohibited.
19. .50 BMG, .416 Barrett and rifles using comparable calibers are prohibited.
20. When shooting on the rifle side, the firearm barrel must remain over the yellow line at all times. On the pistol side, the entire firearm must remain past the yellow line.
21. Handguns are prohibited on the rifle side unless they are equipped with a scope and used with a rest or bipod at 75 or 100 yards. All projectiles must enter the ballistic sand area of the backstop.
22. High-powered rifles are prohibited on the pistol side.
23. Shotguns may be used on the pistol side at any distance.
24. Shotguns may only be used on the rifle side at 75 or 100 yards.
25. Only slug ammunition is permitted for shotguns. Birdshot and buckshot are prohibited. All slugs must enter the ballistic sand area of the backstop.
26. Black powder firearms must be packed and loaded at the rear podium and capped at the front podium.
27. Black powder firearms may not be cleaned or handled during a safe line.
28. Shooting on the pistol side at the 7-yard line must be done from a standing position.
29. Seated shooting on the pistol side is permitted at the 15-, 25- and 50-yard lines.
30. Shooting on the rifle side at the 25-yard line must be done from a seated position.
31. Shooters may fire from a seated or prone position on the rifle side at the 50-, 75- and 100-yard lines.
32. Patrons with disabilities may shoot from a seated position at the appropriate pistol-side podium using the appropriate target. Assistance with target placement will be provided when needed.
33. Shooters must cease fire immediately if birds, ATVs, helicopters, airboats or any other foreign object enters the range’s field of vision.
34. Smoking is prohibited on the range.
35. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park. Anyone who has been drinking or is under the influence of a controlled substance will be removed from the park.
36. Shooters will be issued target frames, which must be returned to the range house. Anyone who intentionally shoots a frame will be responsible for its replacement cost.
37. All brass must be placed in the containers provided. Shooters may retain only their own brass and may not remove excessive amounts of brass from the range.
38. Shooters are responsible for any damage they cause. Anyone who intentionally damages range property, including PVC target holders, will be immediately removed from the range.
39. Any shooter who does not follow the rules or poses a threat to their own safety or the safety of others will be removed from the range.