10.4 Accidental Discharge (Disqualification)
The following covers the disqualification of a competitor due to accidental discharge of their firearm during a stage at an IPSC match. A competitor who causes an accidental discharge must be stopped by a Range Officer as soon as possible. An accidental discharge is defined as follows:
10.4.1 Off Range Shooting
A shot, which travels over a backstop, a berm or in any other direction, specified in the written stage briefing by the match organizers as being unsafe. Note that a competitor who legitimately fires a shot at a target, which then travels in an unsafe direction, will not be disqualified, but the provisions of Section 2.3 may apply.
10.4.2 Ground Shots
A shot which strikes the ground within 3 meters of the competitor, except when shooting at a paper target closer than 3 meters to the competitor. A shot which strikes the ground within 3 meters of the competitor due to a “squib” load is exempt from this
A shot which strikes the ground within 3 meters of the competitor, except when shooting at a paper or frangible target closer than 3 meters to the competitor. A shot which strikes the ground within 3 meters of the competitor due to a “squib” load is exempt from this rule.
10.4.3 Loading Discharge
A shot which occurs while actually loading, reloading or unloading a firearm. This includes any shot fired during the procedures outlined in Rules 8.3.1 and 8.3.7 (also see Rule 5.9).
10.4.3.1 Unloading Discharge
Exception – a detonation, which occurs while unloading a firearm, is not considered a shot or discharge subject to a disqualification. However, Rule 5.1.6 may
10.4.4 Malfunction Discharge
A shot which occurs during remedial action in the case of a malfunction.
10.4.5 Changing Hands/Shoulders
A shot which occurs while transferring a handgun or rifle between hands.
A shot which occurs while transferring a shotgun between hands or shoulders.
10.4.6 Movement Discharge
A shot which occurs during movement, except while actually shooting at targets.
10.4.7 Unsafe Metal Engagement
A shot fired at a metal target from a distance of less than 7 meters, measured from the front of the target to the nearest part of the competitor’s body in contact with the ground (see Rule 2.1.3).
A shot fired at a metal target from a distance of less than 50 meters, measured from the front of the target to the nearest part of the competitor’s body in contact with the ground (see Rule 2.1.3).
A shot fired at a metal target from a distance of less than 5 meters when using birdshot or buckshot ammunition or 40 meters when using slug ammunition. The distance is measured from the front of the target to the nearest part of the competitor’s body in contact with the ground (see Rule 2.1.3).
10.4.8 Malfunction Induced Discharge
In this Section, if it can be established that the cause of the discharge is due to a broken or defective part of the firearm, the competitor has not committed any safety infraction in this Section, and a disqualification will not be invoked, but the competitor’s scores for that stage will be
10.4.8.1 Firearm Inspection
The firearm must be immediately presented for inspection to the Range Master or his delegate, who will inspect the firearm and carry out any tests necessary to establish that a broken or defective part caused the discharge. A competitor may not later appeal a disqualification for an accidental discharge due to a broken or defective part if they fail to present the firearm for inspection prior to leaving the course of
10.4.9 Improper Slug Ammunition (Shotgun Only)
A shot fired using slug ammunition unless this ammunition type has been specifically nominated as being acceptable for the course of fire.
10.4.10 Improper Buckshot Ammunition (Shotgun Only)
A shot fired using buckshot ammunition during a course of fire that has been specifically nominated as requiring birdshot ammunition for safety reasons.
Chapter Rules
