4-H BB Rifle Safety Guide
| Cooperative Extension Service/The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences |
4-H BB Rifle Safety Guide |
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Safety Is Shooting's Most Important Rule |
| Revised May, 2000 |
You are expected to know, understand and use12 gun safety rules. They apply to hunters in the field as well as shooters on the range.
RULE 1 - Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
A correct gun handler always checks to see if a gun is loaded. When picking up or accepting a gun, check to see if it is loaded. Don't take anyone's word, always check it yourself.
There is no way to see if a BB gun is loaded unless it has a bolt. Therefore, it is more important to check to see if a BB gun is cocked. Spring/air BB guns are checked by trying to open the cocking lever to see if the spring has been cocked. If the lever is hard to open, the gun is uncocked. If it opens freely, it is cocked.
Caution: Keep a firm grip on the lever when cocking. The lever could slip and slam shut and possibly cause injury. If a BB has been loaded, it could also fire. Always point the muzzle away from your face and body.
| To Cock: |  |
RULE 2 - Always point the barrel in a safe direction.
Whether you are shooting or simply handling your gun, never point the muzzle at yourself or anyone else. Use common sense. Generally, the safest direction is upward or downward.
RULE 3 - Never carry a loaded or cocked gun into your car, home, camp or public place.
When you are finished hunting or shooting and want to go into a car, your house, or camp, unload your gun. If possible, put your gun in a gun case. Store it in a gun cabinet. Never carry a gun into a public place. When storing your gun, even for a few minutes, make sure your ammunition is locked in a strong box or cabinet.
RULE 4 - Never climb a tree or fence or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.
When climbing a steep hill, a tree, or crossing a stream or ditch, unload your gun. If you slip or fall, be ready to control the muzzle. Never run or jump with a loaded gun.
To safely cross a fence, unload your gun. Reach under the lowest wire and place the gun on the ground. Point the muzzle away from where you plan to cross.
People break this rule more than all the others. They feel it is too much trouble to unload their gun every time they come to a ditch or a fence. Accidents often happen from falls, a dropped gun or the trigger catching on something.
RULE 5 - Never shoot at a flat or hard surface or water.
Bullets/BB's will bounce off rocks and other hard surfaces. This is called a ricochet (rick-o-shay). A ricochet can occur in any direction, even back at the shooter.
Bullets can skip off of the water similar to skipping a flat rock on water. Never shoot at water.
RULE 6 - Be sure of your backstop.
A backstop is something used to stop a bullet, pellet or BB. Hills, wood, a pile of sand or a man-made bullet trap can be used to stop a bullet. Backstops should be free of any hard objects that would cause a ricochet.
RULE 7 - Be sure of your target and what's beyond.
Be sure you can see your target beyond any doubt. Be aware of the area beyond your target. Be certain that people, buildings, livestock, vehicles or equipment cannot be hit downrange.
RULE 8 - Be sure your barrel is free of obstructions.
Be sure your gun is in good working condition and properly cared for. After each use, clean the gun. Be sure to clean a new gun before using it for the first time.
Make sure your barrel is free of mud, snow and dirt. Be especially aware of this after a fall or laying the gun on the ground.
Never use BB's that are dirty or reuse BB's that have been shot at a hard surface. This can cause the gun to jam.
RULE 9 - Know your gun, ammunition and equipment.
You must know how a gun works before you shoot.
Each gun, whether a shotgun, rifle or BB gun, has the size of ammunition marked on the gun. Know what size ammo your gun uses. Only carry the size shell your gun uses. Never carry different sizes of ammunition.
For 4-H Competition
Daisy Model 499 or similar smooth-bore BB guns are suggested for competition. The outside of the rifle may not be changed in any way except to shorten or lengthen the stock. Weights may be added inside to the fore-end or the stock. The total weight of an unloaded BB gun without a sling cannot be more than 6 pounds.
You can use metallic adjustable rear peep sights. You may use a blinder on the rear sight for the non-shooting eye.
Use slings in all positions except in the standing position. Slings may not exceed 1¼ inches in width. Moveable sling keepers are permitted.
A kneeling roll may be used in the kneeling position only. It can be made out of any material but may not be more than 8 inches long or 6 inches across.
Wear everyday clothing. No padded shooting jackets, unusually heavy clothing, or gloves are permitted. Vests with one thickness of material or leather are allowed. If boots or shoes rise above the ankle, they must be unlaced and loose above the ankle.
Sighting scopes or binoculars are permitted and recommended.
A shooting mat, such as a carpet scrap, is permitted and recommended.
RULE 10 - Respect people's property.
Out of respect for other shooters, do not touch or handle anyone else's guns or equipment. This applies on or off the range.
Remember, most of the time, you are shooting or hunting on someone else's land. Treat the property as if it were your own.
RULE 11 - Obey all range control and commands.
Range commands are given by the range officer to everyone on the range. Shooters must immediately obey commands when they are given. They must know and understand the commands.
Relay # __________ to the Firing Line - Shooters immediately go to the assigned firing points.
The Preparation Period Starts Now - Shooters get into position and prepare to shoot. Shooters may dry fire the gun (shoot with-out ammunition) but no shooting of BB's permitted.
The Preparation Period Has Ended - The 1-3 minute preparation is over.
Is the Line Ready? - If you are not ready, immediately raise your arm and call "Not ready on target # _________!" The range officer will state ------
The Line Is Not Ready! - When everyone is ready, the range officer calls ------
The Line Is Ready. Commence Firing - BB's can now be loaded and fired for sighting shots and/or shots for record.
Cease Fire. Clear All Guns. Are All Guns Clear? - Each shooter must stop firing immediately. The guns are grounded and the cocking lever is put at quarter cock. If you still have a BB in the barrel, it must be discharged into the backstop, at the Range Officer's command.
The Line Is Safe. or the Line Is Not Safe. - The line officer will look at all guns and make the line safe.
Replace Your Targets.
Reminders
The rifle must be on safe at all times when not actually being fired.
The rifle must ALWAYS be pointed downrange when on the firing line.
No one may cock or load a rifle until the command has been given.
NEVER go downrange when the range is not clear.
On hearing the command, "CEASE FIRE," all shooters will IMMEDIATELY place their rifles on safe and PUT THEM DOWN.
Rifles may not even be touched while someone is downrange.
The rifle must be left in the quarter cocked position so that the range safety officer can see that the rifle is not cocked.
Because safety is important, a shooter who fails to follow safety rules will be disqualified.
RULE 12 - Be familiar with range standards and 4-H rules.
Target Backstop - A target backstop should be made of material that a BB cannot go through or bounce back from. The target is then attached to the backstop so that it cannot fall off.
Ready Line - A line behind the firing line with chairs reserved for shooters in the next relay.
Shooting Distance - 5 meters (16 ft.,4¾ inches).
Firing Line - A line in front of the firing points from which the shooting distance is measured to the target.
Firing Point - That part of the range provided for the shooter behind the firing line. Each firing point should have a minimum width of 4 feet.
Team Line - A line behind the ready line for the team and public to gather.
Rules governing 4-H four-position matches will be the current National Rifle Association (NRA) 5 meter BB gun rules plus the following:
Ammunition - a bullet or shot with primer and powder that can be fired or otherwise discharged from guns.
Backstop - the last stopping point for a bullet or shot.
Barrel - the tube that contains and directs the bullet or shot.
Blinders - a flap attached to the rear sight to block the view of the non-aiming eye.
Butt - shoulder end of rifle or shotgun stock.
Cease - to stop, to put and end to, discontinue.
Cheekpiece - a raised area on the stock against which the shooter's face can rest.
Cocking lever - a handle used to compress the spring and cock the BB gun.
Commence - to make a start, a starting point, to have a beginning, set to work, undertake.
Course of fire - the number of shots at each distance and/or in each position that make up a match.
Discharge - to shoot or fire a gun
Downrange - away from where you are firing and in a safe direction.
Dry Fire - aiming and pulling the trigger of a cocked but unloaded gun.
Exceptions - changes other than what is said or is printed.
Firing Point - a shooting station or location.
Fore end (fore arm) - the part of a gun stock under the barrel forward of the trigger.
Front sight - front part used to assist aiming the eye and the muzzle at a target.
Grounded - to place or set on the ground.
Immediately - without delay, at once.
In the field - out of doors or in a field or woods.
Jam - to block, congest, clog or become non-working.
Leagues - teams or clubs that compete among themselves.
Metallic - containing metal, looking like metal.
Muzzle - end of the barrel opening from which the bullet or shot emerges.
Obstruction - something that blocks or fills a passage.
Peep site - a rear sight that has an eyepiece with a small opening through which the front sight and the target are seen.
Permitted - to allow, to let happen, is legal.
Preparation time - a period of time for shooter on the firing line to get into firing position and get his equipment ready to shoot. Shooters may handle their rifles and dry fire.
Public place - any place where people go or gather (store, buildings, towns, etc.).
Qualification - a value or condition that must be met, to be or become qualified.
Quarter cock - cocking lever on a BB gun open slightly as a visual check that the rifle is not cocked.
Range Standard - the size and marked areas of the shooting range.
Rear sight - rear part used to assist aiming the eye and the muzzle at a target.
Recommended - suggest that something be done.
Record fire - shots fired at the scoring surface of a target.
Relay - the group of shooters scheduled to shoot at the same time in a match.
Ricochet - (rick-o-shay) - to bounce off a surface.
Scope - an instrument for viewing or observing.
Secure - safe, not likely to fall or give way, well fastened.
Sighting shots (sighters) - shots fired to select and adjust rear sight settings.
Sling - a strap used to steady a rifle in some shooting positions.
Sling keeper - a device for keeping the sling in place.
Sling swivel - a metal loop fastened to the fore end of the stock through which the sling passes.
Trigger - a lever used to fire a gun.
Trigger guard - a part around the trigger to protect it.
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| William
R. Lambert Associate Dean for Extension |
Roger
C. (Bo) Ryles, Jr. State Program Leader -- 4-H |
4-H: PM-02/Revised May, 2000
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director