CA-FSC Shooting Range Safety and Etiquette 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the command 'CEASE FIRE' mean at a shooting range?
- Fire as quickly as possible
- Stop shooting immediately (Correct answer)
- Reload your firearm
- Move to the next target
Correct answer: Stop shooting immediately
'CEASE FIRE' is a universal range command requiring all shooters to immediately stop firing.
Question 2: In which direction must a firearm be pointed while on a shooting range?
- Toward other shooters
- Upward at a 45-degree angle
- Downrange toward the targets (Correct answer)
- At the ground near your feet
Correct answer: Downrange toward the targets
Firearms must always be pointed downrange toward the targets to keep the muzzle in a safe direction.
Question 3: When is it safe to walk downrange to check or change your target?
- When you have finished your magazine
- Only after the range officer gives the all-clear command (Correct answer)
- Whenever there is a brief pause in shooting
- Only if you are wearing eye and ear protection
Correct answer: Only after the range officer gives the all-clear command
You must wait for the range officer's all-clear before going downrange to ensure all shooters have ceased firing.
Question 4: What should you do with your firearm when the range is declared 'COLD'?
- Keep it loaded and pointed downrange
- Continue shooting any remaining ammunition
- Unload it, open the action, and set it down (Correct answer)
- Hand it to the range officer for inspection
Correct answer: Unload it, open the action, and set it down
When the range is 'cold,' all firearms must be unloaded with actions open and set down so personnel can safely move downrange.
Question 5: Which personal protective equipment is required at all shooting ranges?
- Gloves and a hat
- Eye and ear protection (Correct answer)
- Steel-toed boots and long pants
- A bulletproof vest
Correct answer: Eye and ear protection
Eye and ear protection are required at all shooting ranges to prevent injury from noise levels and ejected debris.
Question 6: What should you do if your firearm malfunctions while at the shooting range?
- Immediately point the muzzle upward
- Try to clear it by shaking the firearm
- Keep it pointed downrange and notify the range officer (Correct answer)
- Pass it to another shooter for assistance
Correct answer: Keep it pointed downrange and notify the range officer
Keeping a malfunctioning firearm pointed downrange and notifying the range officer is the safest course of action.
Question 7: What is a 'hang fire' and what should you do if one occurs?
- A gun that overheats from rapid fire; let it cool down
- A delayed discharge after the trigger is pulled; keep pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds (Correct answer)
- Repeated misfires; immediately unload the firearm
- A bullet that lodges in the barrel; shake the gun to dislodge it
Correct answer: A delayed discharge after the trigger is pulled; keep pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds
A hang fire is a delayed ignition after the trigger is pulled, and the firearm must stay pointed downrange for at least 30 seconds before treating it as a misfire.
