GANDER ROD & GUN CLUB

FIREARM RANGE SAFETY RULES — 2026 EDITION

Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Applies To: All Members, Guests, Visitors, Instructors, Range Safety Officers (RSOs), and Firearm Range Users

1. PURPOSE

These Firearm Range Safety Rules are established to promote the safe, responsible, and lawful use of the Gander Rod & Gun Club firearm range facilities.

These rules are intended to:

• Protect members, guests, spectators, and the public;
• Establish safe firearm handling and shooting procedures;
• Support compliance with applicable Canadian laws and safety standards;
• Support insurer, Club, and regulatory compliance requirements;
• Establish clear operational authority and emergency procedures;
• Maintain a safe recreational, training, and competitive shooting environment.

All persons entering or using the firearm range are deemed to have accepted and agreed to comply with these rules.

These rules are intended to align with recognized Canadian firearm safety principles, Range Safety Officer standards, and safe range operating practices used by Canadian clubs and organizations.

2. GOVERNING AUTHORITY

All firearm activities conducted on Club property must comply with:

• All applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws;
• The Criminal Code of Canada;
• The Firearms Act and associated regulations;
• Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) range approvals and conditions;
• Club Range Operating Instructions (ROI);
• Club Executive directives;
• Range Safety Officer (RSO) commands;
• Posted range signage and restrictions;
• Applicable insurance and safety requirements.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in:

• Immediate removal from the range;
• Suspension of range privileges;
• Club disciplinary action;
• Revocation of membership;
• Notification to law enforcement where required.

3. GENERAL SAFETY PRINCIPLES

Every person using the firearm range shares responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.

All persons must:

• Conduct themselves safely and responsibly;
• Follow all range commands immediately;
• Handle firearms safely at all times;
• Report unsafe conditions immediately;
• Ensure guests and minors comply with all rules.

Unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated.

No person may engage in any activity that creates an unreasonable risk to:

• Persons;
• Property;
• Wildlife;
• Adjacent ranges;
• Spectators;
• Club infrastructure.

4. DEFINITIONS

Firearm Range — Any designated area used for firearm activities on Club property.

Firing Line — The designated line from which firearms may be discharged.

Cease Fire — Command indicating all shooting must stop immediately.

Hot Range — A condition where firearms handling and shooting are authorized.

Cold Range — A condition where no firearm handling is permitted except as directed by an RSO.

Range Safety Officer (RSO) — A person authorized by the Club to supervise range safety and operations.

Unloaded Firearm — A firearm with no ammunition in the chamber, action, cylinder, or attached magazine.

Muzzle Control — Maintaining the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

5. RANGE AUTHORITY

5.1 Members

Members are responsible for:

• Their own conduct;
• Safe firearm handling;
• Guest supervision;
• Compliance with all Club rules.

5.2 Range Safety Officers

Range Safety Officers maintain full authority over:

• The firing line;
• Shooting activity;
• Cease-fire procedures;
• Removal of unsafe persons;
• Enforcement of safety rules.

All RSO commands must be obeyed immediately.

5.3 Club Executive

The Club Executive maintains authority regarding:

• Rule enforcement;
• Disciplinary matters;
• Operational oversight;
• Safety compliance.

6. RANGE ACCESS AND ORIENTATION

All first-time users and guests must:

• Receive a firearm range orientation;
• Review applicable safety rules;
• Demonstrate safe firearm handling;
• Remain under supervision where required.

The Club may require proof of licensing, competency, certification, or prior instruction before permitting unsupervised use.

7. FUNDAMENTAL FIREARM SAFETY RULES

All persons shall:

• Treat every firearm as loaded;
• Keep firearms pointed in a safe direction at all times;
• Keep fingers off the trigger until ready to fire;
• Keep firearms unloaded until on the firing line and authorized to fire;
• Fire only from designated firing lines;
• Fire only at approved targets;
• Maintain awareness of persons downrange;
• Wear required hearing and eye protection where applicable.

No person may handle or discharge a firearm in an unsafe manner.

8. FIRING LINE PROCEDURES

Shooters may only fire when:

• The range is declared HOT or CLEAR TO SHOOT;
• All persons are behind the firing line;
• No person is downrange.

All shooters shall:

• Follow RSO instructions immediately;
• Keep muzzles pointed safely downrange;
• Open and bench firearms during ceasefires where applicable;
• Step back from the firing line when instructed.

When multiple shooters are present, firing activities shall be coordinated for safety.

9. CEASE FIRE PROCEDURES

Upon the command “CEASE FIRE”:

• All shooting must stop immediately;
• Firearms must be made safe;
• Actions must be opened where applicable;
• Firearms must remain pointed downrange;
• Shooters must step back from the firing line if directed.

No person may handle firearms during a ceasefire unless specifically directed by an RSO.

No person may proceed downrange until the range has been declared CLEAR.

10. FIREARM HANDLING RULES

All firearms must remain pointed safely downrange while uncased or handled on the firing line.

No person shall:

• Handle firearms during a ceasefire;
• Sweep another person with a muzzle;
• Engage in horseplay or reckless conduct;
• Use unsafe firearm handling practices;
• Discharge firearms outside approved shooting areas;
• Use firearms in a careless or negligent manner.

Rapid, uncontrolled, or unsafe firing is prohibited.

11. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All firearms and equipment used on Club property must be:

• Safe;
• Lawful;
• Properly maintained;
• Suitable for range use.

Before shooting, users must inspect:

• Firearms;
• Ammunition;
• Optics;
• Slings;
• Magazines;
• Holsters where authorized.

Unsafe or defective equipment must not be used.

The Club reserves the right to prohibit unsafe or unsuitable firearms, ammunition, or accessories.

12. PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND EQUIPMENT

Unless specifically authorized by the Club, the following are prohibited:

• Explosive or incendiary ammunition;
• Armour-piercing ammunition where prohibited by law;
• Tannerite or explosive targets;
• Unsafe homemade firearms or devices;
• Damaged firearms;
• Illegal firearms or prohibited devices;
• Targets depicting unlawful imagery or human likenesses where prohibited by Club policy.

Any equipment deemed unsafe by an RSO or Club Official may be prohibited from use.

13. ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND IMPAIRMENT

The possession or use of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or impairing substances before or during shooting activities is strictly prohibited.

Any person appearing impaired may be:

• Removed from the range immediately;
• Reported to the Club Executive;
• Subject to disciplinary action.

No person may possess or use firearms while impaired.

14. GUESTS AND MINORS

Members are responsible for the conduct and supervision of their guests.

Children and minors must remain under direct adult supervision at all times.

Parents or guardians are responsible for:

• Safety compliance;
• Firearm handling supervision;
• Conduct;
• Ensuring minors comply with all range rules.

The Club may establish minimum age, licensing, or supervision requirements.

15. SPECTATORS

Spectators must:

• Remain behind designated safety lines;
• Follow all RSO instructions;
• Avoid distracting shooters;
• Remain alert to shooting activity.

Unsafe spectator behaviour may result in removal from the range area.

16. RANGE MAINTENANCE AND HOUSEKEEPING

All users must:

• Remove garbage and spent casings where required;
• Dispose of damaged targets safely;
• Report range damage or hazards;
• Leave shooting areas clean and orderly.

Intentional damage to Club property may result in suspension, liability, or expulsion.

17. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In an emergency:

• Immediately stop all shooting;
• Make all firearms safe;
• Notify the Range Safety Officer;
• Contact emergency services if required;
• Follow posted emergency procedures.

Emergency contact numbers and first aid equipment locations shall remain posted at the range.

A first aid kit should be accessible during all organized shooting activities.

18. INCIDENT REPORTING

All accidents, injuries, negligent discharges, unsafe conditions, or safety incidents must be reported immediately to:

• A Range Safety Officer;
• A Club Executive member;
• Event organizers where applicable.

The Club may require written incident reports for safety review, insurance purposes, or regulatory compliance.

19. RULE ENFORCEMENT

Violations of these rules may result in:

• Verbal warnings;
• Suspension of shooting privileges;
• Removal from Club property;
• Revocation of membership;
• Permanent prohibition from range use.

Serious or reckless safety violations may result in immediate expulsion and/or notification to law enforcement.

20. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY

All members share responsibility for:

• Maintaining safe range operations;
• Promoting responsible firearm practices;
• Assisting new shooters safely;
• Correcting unsafe behaviour where appropriate;
• Reporting unresolved hazards promptly.

Safety is a collective responsibility.

21. FINAL AUTHORITY

These rules may be amended by the Gander Rod & Gun Club Executive as required to maintain compliance with:

• Insurance requirements;
• Recognized Canadian firearm safety practices;
• Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) requirements;
• Evolving range standards;
• Operational and safety needs.

The most current approved version shall govern all firearm range operations and shall be posted on the Club website and made available to members upon request.

GANDER ROD & GUN CLUB

Firearm Range Safety Rules — 2026 Edition

Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador

These rules are intended to align with recognized Canadian firearm safety practices, Chief Firearms Officer range standards, and Range Safety Officer principles used by Canadian clubs and organizations.