10.5 Unsafe Gun Handling (Disqualification)
The following dictates unsafe gun handling and the examples which lead to disqualification. Examples of unsafe gun handling include, but are not limited to:
10.5.1 Firearm Handling
Handling a handgun at any time except when in a designated Safety Area or when under the supervision of, and in response to a direct command issued by, a Range Officer.
Handling a rifle or shotgun at any time except when in a designated Safety Area, or elsewhere deemed safe by a Range Officer, or when under the supervision of, and in response to a direct command issued by, a Range Officer may invoke a disqualification. This does not apply to the carrying of rifles or shotguns where Rule 5.2.1 will apply. Violation of Rule 5.2.1 may invoke a disqualification.
10.5.2 Muzzle Awareness
Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point uprange, or past the default, or specific safe angles of fire during a course of fire, (limited exceptions: see Rules 2.1.2.1, 5.2.7.3 and 10.5.6).
Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point uprange, or past the default, or specific safe angles of fire during a course of fire. Exception: when fitting the chamber safety flag in compliance with Rule 8.3.7.2 the muzzle may point uprange within a radius of 50 cm from a competitor’s feet.
10.5.3 Dropping Firearm
If at any time during the course of fire, a competitor drops his firearm or causes it to fall, loaded or not. Note that a competitor who, for any reason during a course of fire, safely and intentionally places the firearm on the ground or other stable object will not be disqualified provided:
10.5.3.1 Maintain Physical Contact
The competitor maintains constant physical contact with the firearm, until it is placed firmly and securely on the ground or another stable object; and
10.5.3.2 Firearm Proximity
The competitor remains within 1 meter of the firearm at all times (except where the firearm is placed at a greater distance, under the supervision of a Range Officer, in order to comply with a start position); and
10.5.3.3 Muzzle Direction
The provisions of Rule 10.5.2 do not occur; and
10.5.3.4 Ready Condition
The firearm is in the ready condition as specified in Section 8.1; or
10.5.3.5 Unloaded Firearm
The firearm is unloaded and the action is open.
10.5.4 Handling In Tunnel (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Drawing or holstering a handgun within the confines of a tunnel.
10.5.5 Body Sweeping
Allowing the muzzle of a handgun to point at any part of the competitor’s body during a course of fire (i.e. sweeping). A disqualification is not applicable if sweeping occurs while drawing or re- holstering a gun, provided the competitor’s fingers are clearly outside the trigger
Allowing the muzzle of a rifle or shotgun to point at any part of the competitor’s body during a course of fire (i.e. sweeping).
10.5.6 Uprange Holstering (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Allowing the muzzle of a loaded handgun to point rearwards uprange beyond a radius of 1 meter from a competitor’s feet during drawing or re-holstering. The 1 meter concession only applies when a competitor is facing directly downrange.
10.5.7 Carrying Multiple Firearms
Wearing or using more than one firearm during a course of fire.
10.5.8 Trigger Discipline (Malfunction)
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard while clearing a malfunction where the competitor clearly moves the firearm away from aiming at
10.5.9 Trigger Discipline (Reloading)
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, reloading, or unloading except where specifically permitted (see Rules 8.1.2.5, 8.3.7.1 and 7.1).
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, reloading, or unloading. A competitor will be exempt from this rule when operating the trigger to dry fire or to release the action and/or drop the hammer while making ready prior to the Start Signal. In the event that the gun discharges during this operation Rule 10.4.3 will still
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during loading, reloading, or unloading. A competitor will be exempt from this rule when operating the trigger to release the action and/or drop the hammer while making ready prior to the Start Signal. In the event that the gun discharges during this operation Rule 10.4.3 will still
10.5.10 Trigger Discipline (Movement)
Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during movement in accordance with Rule 5.1.
10.5.11 Holstered Firearm (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Having a loaded and holstered handgun, in any of the following conditions:
10.5.11.1 Unsafe Single Action (Action Air & Handgun Only)
A single action self-loading pistol with the chamber loaded and the safety not applied.
10.5.11.2 Unsafe Double Action (Action Air & Handgun Only)
A double action or selective action pistol with the hammer cocked and the safety not applied.
10.5.11.3 Unsafe Revolver Action (Action Air & Handgun Only)
A revolver with the hammer cocked.
10.5.12 Safe Area Ammunition Handling
Handling live or dummy ammunition in a Safety Area, contrary to Rule 4.4.
10.5.12.1 Handling Declaration
The word “handling” does not preclude competitors from entering a Safety Area with ammunition in magazines or speed loaders on their belt, in their pockets or in their range bag, provided the competitor does not physically remove the loaded magazines or loaded speed loaders from their retaining or storage device while within the Safety Area.
The word “handling” does not preclude competitors from entering a Safety Area with live or dummy ammunition in their pockets, on their belt or in their range bag, provided the competitor does not physically remove the loose or packaged ammunition from their belt, pockets or range bag while within the Safety Area.
10.5.13 Unauthorised Loaded Firearm
Having a loaded firearm other than when specifically authorized by a Range Officer.
10.5.14 Dropped Firearm Retrieval
Retrieving a dropped firearm. Dropped firearms must always be retrieved by a Range Officer who will, after checking and/or clearing the firearm, place it directly into the competitor’s gun case, gun bag or holster. Dropping an unloaded firearm or causing it to fall outside of a course of fire is not an infraction. However, a competitor who retrieves a dropped firearm will receive a disqualification.
Retrieving a dropped firearm. Dropped firearms must always be retrieved by a Range Officer who will, after checking and/or clearing the firearm, return it to the competitor in a safe condition. Dropping an unloaded firearm or causing it to fall outside of a course of fire is not an infraction. However, a competitor who retrieves a dropped firearm will receive a disqualification.
10.5.15 Prohibited Ammunition
Using prohibited and/or unsafe ammunition (see Rules 5.5.4, 5.5.5 and 5.5.6), and/or using a prohibited firearm (see Rules 5.1.10 and 5.1.11).
Using prohibited and/or unsafe ammunition (see Rules 5.5.4 and 5.5.6 to 5.5.6.4), and/or using a prohibited firearm (see Rules 5.1.10 and 5.1.11).
Chapter Rules
