RIDGECREST GUN RANGE ASSOCIATION

Corner of S. Brown Rd. and Wiknich Rd.

Ridgecrest, CA 93555

RANGE RULES, SAFETY, AND OPERATION REQUIREMENTS

Introduction:

It is the intent of the Ridgecrest Gun Range Association (RGRA) to manage and operate a shooting range covering over 100 acres on S. Brown Road at Wiknich Road for the purpose of providing gun owners a place to practice shooting of firearms (pistols, shotguns and rifles), provide an educational facility for the shooting sports and archery equipment, and areas in the range for individual clubs and organizations can utilize for their own sports and training. In order to provide a safe place to shoot, all users of the range shall be members of the RGRA or one of the club member users of the range, or a guest of a member.

1. Membership, Authorized Users and Management:

This range will be open for membership to anyone without regard to race, religion, sex, or status in the community. Users must be a paid up member in good standing with the RGRA. Only range certified members of RGRA or individual member Shooting Clubs are authorized to shoot on or supervise shooting on the RGRA ranges. To become a certified member, the user must have read the RGRA Range Rules, Safety, and Operation Procedures; read the BLM guidance covering endanger species; and signed a liability release agreement prior to any shooting. All shooters 17 years and younger must be supervised at all times by an adult member. Guests are permitted to use the range under the direct supervision of a RGRA Range Member. The fee for guests is $5.00 for a weekend. Guests MUST be accompanied by the full member at ALL times. Non-shooting spectators are permitted but must not enter the firing line area at any time.

From time to time, a RGRA Range Manager or Range Master will be on site for controlling the use of the public range. They will insure all rules and regulations are followed. All users must check in and follow any instructions provided by them.

The RGRA is responsible for the management and operation of the range. Termination of RGRA range use may be exercised by the RGRA Association and landowner due to illegal use by the RGRA, officers, board members, individual members, or due to violations of environmental requirements, violation of conditions of approval by the County of Kern, or any other permit-approving agency.

2. General Range Rules:

1. The MOST important rule is SAFETY FIRST. When in doubt, don’t shoot! NOTE: Your use of this range is done so at your own risk. The RGRA, Board or it’s officers, or landowner are not responsible for any loss, injury, or death you may suffer by your use of this range.

All users, including members and guests, must sign a liability release.

2. The RGRA Board strongly recommends that at least two persons be present at all times during firing periods. One must be a RGRA Range Member. Since we’re some distance from emergency assistance, it is recommended that users have some means of calling emergency personnel (i.e. cellular phone or radio).

3. The member is responsible for collecting the guest use fee, and bringing it in to a membership outlet.. Member must have the guest sign the RGRA liability release form BEFORE beginning shooting. Minors must have written permission of parent or legal guardian on file with the RGRA Board. One form maybe used with multiple guests signing it.

4. Account for all personnel before shooting. Remember to keep all young children under close supervision.

5. Keep all non-firing children off the firing line.

6. No handling of firearms when someone is down range.

7. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE RANGE!!!

8. Eye and ear protection is required when within 30 feet of shooting activity. Remember to protect youngster’s ears even when they are not shooting.

9. Pick up and take away all fired cartridge cases and trash when finished shooting.

10. Read and obey all rules of the range.

11. Shoot only toward the down range bullet impact berms.

12. Range Flags: If a Red range flag is not flying upon your entry to the range, you must raise the flag, which shows the range is hot. There is a range flag at the public firing line and at the clubhouse to raise which indicates a down range area is hot. If you’re the last shooter, insure the flag is lowered and put away.

13. All range users MUST follow instructions from any RGRA Manager or Range Master. Any violation of this rule will result in expulsion from range for first violation. Repeat offenders will be banned from the range completely. No refunds of fees will be provided for anyone expelled from the range.

14. No rounds may be shot over the bullet impact berms. Violation of this rule will result in immediate expulsion.

15. If a gun misfires, squibs, or hang fires, let those around you know you have a hangfire, keep the gun pointed down range for at least 1 minute, before trying to determine the cause of malfunction or repair.

16. Treat all guns as if they are loaded.

17. Keep all gun muzzles pointed down range while on the firing line.

18. All actions of firearms must be open while not in use on the firing line. Double inspect to ensure all firearms are unloaded before leaving the firing line or storing in a case.

19. During formal shooting matches, all shooters must follow instructions of any Range Master during any matches.

20. Shooters are responsible for providing their own paper targets.

21. Any metal targets used must be designed for use as a shooting target. A RGRA Range Officer, Manager, or Range Master must approve any use of metal targets.

22. No shooter may shoot at any planes flying over the range.

23. All shooter set targets MUST be positioned so ALL bullets will impact a berm.

24. All vehicles must be operated only on established roadways and parking areas.

25. All guns used on this range must be legal in the State of California.

26. All rules concerning the ownership of guns must be in accordance with all laws by the Federal Government and the State of California.

27. Ammunition and devices used must comply with the laws of the Federal Government and the State of California.

28. No guest users may be left behind to shoot without the member sponsor being on the firing line with the guest.

29. No one may proceed past the private range entrance gate, unless they are members or guest of a private club, or permitted to go down range by a RGRA Officer, or a Range Master.

30. No dumping of trash anywhere on the range without RGRA approval.

31. No cross range shooting. Shoot square to any targets being shot at.

3. Authorized Targets:

1. Paper or cardboard targets are authorized at all distances.

2. Steel silhouette targets will only be used at standard distances or greater. Firing at steel targets at close range can result in injury to the shooter or spectators, and will also damage the targets.

3. NO MAGNUM rounds are to be shot at steel targets on the 25yd pistol range or at the 100 yard rifle range targets.

4. 100 yard pistol range is for use by pistols and rifles that shoot pistol calibers, or 22 LR rifles only.

5. If you erect your own targets, make sure they are positioned so that rounds shot at them will impact a berm. NOT ricochet off the range floor and bounce over the berms.

7. Do not shoot at bottles, cans, computer monitors, or any other rubbish. Please do not turn this range into a garbage dump.

1. Annual members will be issued either keys to the main gate, or a combination of the lock on the gate, depending on which type lock is used. Replacement of lost keys will be $2.00 for each replacement key.

2. After entry to the range, close the main gate behind you. It doesn’t have to be locked while the range is occupied, but the gate must be kept closed to provide a barrier to non-members just entering the range. Gate may be left open only when large matches are being held on the range and numerous vehicles will be going in and out.

2. This gate must be closed at all times. Only exception to this rule is if the Private shooting club is having a shooting match.

3. The first person going through this gate down range to shoot must raise the Red Range Hot Flag at the clubhouse pole.

4. The last person exiting the down range area must lower and store the Red flag.

5. Keys or combinations will be issued under the same rules as for the Main Gate.

1. This range exists in an environmentally sensitive area. There is a potential of sighting the Desert Tortoise, Mohave ground squirrel, and other protected birds. Total effort is to be exercised to protect animals that are endangered or protected as determined by the Department of Fish and Game.

2. If any endangered species of animals are observed at any time during shooting, a call to cease fire should be made immediately, and all shooters must stop shooting, clear guns, and put down all firearms to allow down range travel to investigate what has been seen. Special attention should be exercised for anything moving down range.

4. Users have received a copy of, and agree to follow BLM guidance for the handling of the Desert Tortoise and other endangered species.

5. All users must consider the impact of their shooting on the environment. Patrons MUST use the range in an environmentally friendly manner.

2. All Match sponsors are subject to the same liability insurance requirements for Private clubs use of the range. See below.

3. All match sponsors must provide a RGRA approved Range Master, or hire a RGRA Range Master via the RGRA Board. Range Master rates will be established on a case-by-case basis.

4. Any match with over 20 shooting positions being occupied at one time, must have a Range Safety Officer for each group of 20 shooters. This is regardless of whether they are shooting all at once, or one at a time.

5. Any match with over 50 shooters on the line at any one time, must have a RGRA Range Master supervise the match. Match sponsor is responsible for the RGRA Range Master fee. If a RGRA Range Master is used, that person will have ultimate authority for the safe operation of the match. Utilizing a RGRA Range Master does not circumvent the liability or insurance requirement of the sponsor.

6. Before the match starts, if there are any members shooting on the range that are not participants in the match, they must be notified by the match sponsor/match Range Master that a match will be held. They will be able to continue to shoot, but will be required to follow ALL instructions from the match Range Master.

7. For any matches that will require the closure of the public range to the other members use, closure must be approved by the RGRA Board 30 days prior to the match. This is so adequate notice can be provided to the other members.

8. After the match is over, Range Master must insure all guns used are clear and stored away from the firing line, before any meeting/gathering of participants.

9. Non RGRA Member match participants will pay a fee to the RGRA for its use for the match. Fee will be determined on a case-by-case basis with the RGRA Board.

10. Match sponsors must make sure all participants have paid the day use fee, and all participants have signed a RGRA liability release form prior to beginning match.

12. All match sponsors will raise the RGRA supplied American Flag on the clubhouse flag pole during the match. After the match, the American flag will be lowered and stored in the clubhouse.

3. Range Manager will have ultimate authority, even over Range Masters, of range use when on site.

2. Any NRA RM/SO, but must be registered and provide proof of NRA RM/SO training to the RGRA Board, prior to functioning as a RM/SO.

3. RM/SO will have supervisory responsibility of anyone shooting on the firing line, while exercising the duties of a RM/SO.

5. RM/SO MUST expel anyone not following RGRA range use rules, or his own instructions.

1. All individual Private Clubs using their own areas of the RGRA complex are responsible for all their members and guest users of their range.

2. All private clubs must provide liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000 covering their shooting range.

3. Club range insurance policies must name the RGRA and the Land Owner as covered persons on the policy. A copy of the policy must be provided to the RGRA Board prior to use of the private range. A current copy of the policy must be on file with the RGRA at all times.

4. A written use agreement between the RGRA Board and a private club officer must be signed before beginning operations.

5. All private clubs will be provided an area of the range for their use based on their requirements presented in writing to and approved by the RGRA Board.

6. There will be no set fee for the clubs use. But there will be some fee required. The fee may be paid in various ways. Examples are as follows: Money, labor, equipment, services, materials, or other means as approved by the RGRA. Each agreement will be individually negotiated with consideration to the clubs effort expended to the initial building of the range, and their ability to help in the future.

7. Clubs will ensure all their users have signed the RGRA liability release agreement before their user starts using the private range. This must be renewed annually, and a copy of the agreement must be provided to the RGRA Board.

8. All Private clubs will be responsible for their own trash and lavatory facilities.

9. All Private clubs must have a range master responsible for their range area during all matches, regardless of how small a match.

10. No modification to the range use agreement between the parties can be made unilaterally. Either party may ask for a reopening of negotiations.

11. Private clubs not enforcing the RGRA rules of use maybe expelled from the range permanently, with no compensation for improvements made by the club.

12. All private clubs must provide an “E” mail address to the RGRA Board. It doesn’t have to be an official club address, but at least someone with the ability to notify all their own members of events or issues that may be sent out by the RGRA.

13. No members or guests of the private club may use the public range area without a separate membership with the RGRA range, or payment of the day use fee.

14. Club agreements with the RGRA are automatically renewed annually and signed by the Club President, and the RGRA President and Secretary. If there is a landowner other than the RGRA, the landowner must also approve the agreement.

11. RGRA President: Thomas Wiknich, 760-375-1004, “E” mail: guns4us@earthlink.net