TEACHING AIR RIFLE SAFETY

1
Marksmanship Safety Training
2
Air Rifle Safety
Session Objective To master the principles of
gun and range safety and the performance outcomes
that JROTC cadets must demonstrate to safely
participate in marksmanship
3
Mastering Air Rifle Safety

• Safe Gun Handling Rules
• Shooting Range Basics
• Range Commands
• Range Firing Procedures
• Personal and Health Requirements
• Everyone is a Safety Officer
• Self-Discipline Focus
• Becoming Marksmanship Qualified

4
Safety Performance Objectives

• Properly Trained Cadets Will
• Be aware of the gun Muzzle and maintain proper
  muzzle control at all times
• Check for and maintain an open Action on every
  gun they handle
• Keep index fingers off of the Trigger except when
  firing
• Respond properly to range commands and special
  range situations
• Be aware of the gun handling of those around them
  and assist others in following safe gun handling
  rules

5
Learning To Handle Guns Safely

• 1 goalno gun accidents!
• Learn primary gun parts M-A-T
• Learn M-A-T performance standards
• Practice handling air rifles--safety comes from
  practice, not knowledge
• Safe gun handling rules apply to all guns and
  firearms

6
Primary Gun Parts and Their Functions
3. Trigger
2. Action
1. Muzzle
7
Know How Rifle Actions Function
Rifle and other gun actions (except
muzzle-loaders) have a bolt or action that can be
opened or closed. Opening the action exposes the
breech (rear) end of the barrel for loading.
Opening and closing the bolt/action cocks the
firing mechanism and prepares the rifle for
firing.
Close bolt by pushing forward
Daisy M853-bolt in open position, pulled to rear
8
Rule 1--Muzzle Control

• 1st rule in gun handling--control the direction
  the muzzle points
• Point the gun in a safe directionusually upward
  or downrange towards the targets
• Never point a gun at another person
• Safest direction is usually upward with the
  muzzle held above head level

9
Rule 2Actions Open

• 2nd rule in gun handlingkeep the gun action
  open, except when actually firing
• Visually check the action to verify that it is
  open (CBI inserted in air rifle)
• A gun with an open action cannot be fired
  unintentionally
• Know how the action functions on any rifle you
  handle
• On target ranges, actions must remain open at all
  times except when the rifle is on the firing line
  and dry or live firing is authorized

OPEN AIR RIFLE ACTIONS
10
Rule 3Finger Off Trigger

• 3rd gun handling rule--keep the finger off the
  trigger except when actually firing
• The trigger guard protects the trigger from being
  unintentionally pulled
• Hold or carry the rifle with the index finger
  outside of the trigger guard
• Place the index finger on the trigger only after
  starting to aim at the target 

11
CBIClear Barrel Indicator

• CBI (Clear Barrel Indicator) used to confirm
  rifle is unloaded
• CBI inserted when rifle is taken to range
• CBI removed on firing line when preparation for
  firing begins
• When firing is completed, ground rifle, insert
  CBI

Inserting CBI after firing
12
Safety Rules Apply to All Guns

• Safe Gun Handling Rules Apply to all guns in
  all circumstances

Open Action
Muzzle Control
Open Action with Safety Flag
13
Air Rifle Range Layout
Firing Line
Range Officer Station
Firing Distance 10 meters
Firing Points
Ready Line
Target Backstops
Ready Area
Safety Barrier
14
Range Rules

• Range Officer In charge of range, RO must be an
  adult
• Firing Point One for each shooter
• Target Holder/Backstop One for each firing point
• Firing Line No part of the body may touch the
  firing line or the floor ahead of line
• Ready Line Persons waiting to fire spectators
  must remain behind line

15
Basic Range Commands

• STOP
• Immediately stop attempting to fire shot (finger
  off trigger!)
• Open action
• Firing no longer authorized
• Follow RO instructions
• UNLOAD
• RO must confirm unloaded condition--RO assistance
  required to unload loaded rifle

• LOAD
• OK to charge gas mechanism
• OK to insert pellet
• OK to close action
• START
• OK to begin firing
• OK to continue firing

16
Safety Definitions

• Unloaded Rifle
• Action open
• No pellet in barrel
• CBI inserted
• Grounded Rifle
• On floor or bench
• Unloaded w/CBI inserted
• Line is Clear
• Rifles are unloaded, grounded and checked
• No one handles rifles

• Line is Hot
• No one forward of firing line
• Ready for firing
• Preparation Period
• OK to remove CBIs, close bolts and dry-fire
• Charging gas or loading is not authorized

17
Safe Loading Procedure

1. Start with open action
2. Operate charging lever
3. Insert pellet
4. Close action
5. Place rifle in position and fire shot
6. Open action--repeat

Open charging lever, pause, then close
Insert pellet here, then close bolt
18
Dry Firing

• Dry Firing Definition Cocking and releasing
  trigger mechanism, without charging gas system,
  to simulate firing
• Will not damage air rifles (Exception Pneumatic
  spring air rifles)
• An especially effective way to practice
• Where Only on designated firing point
• When When authorized by RO (e.g. practice or
  preparation periods)

19
Range Safety Procedures

• Malfunctions
• Keep rifle pointed downrange
• Raise Hand
• Wait for RO to inspect rifle and give
  instructions

20
Range Safety Procedures

• Firing Completed
• Immediately open action
• Ground rifle
• Insert CBI
• Wait for instructions

21
Range Safety Procedures

• Loaded Rifle after STOP-UNLOAD
• Keep rifle pointed downrange
• Raise Hand
• Announce LOADED RIFLE
• Wait for RO to give instructions to fire rifle
  in PDC (Pellet Discharge Container) or backstop

Discharging loaded rifle into PDC
22
Gun Cases

• Gun Cases
• Used to store and transport air rifles
• Behind firing linekeep rifles in closed cases
• Bring closed case to firing line with muzzle
  oriented downrange
• After opening caseopen action and insert CBI
• Remove rifle from case, ground rifle, remove case
  from firing line
• After firingreplace rifle in case on firing
  lineCBI may be removed, action closed and
  trigger released before closing case

23
Special Conditions

• Safeties
• Mechanical device to facilitate carrying loaded
  guns
• On target ranges, the safety is the open action
• Most target air rifles do not have mechanical
  safeties
• Mechanical safety usage is not mandatory in air
  rifle target shooting
• DO NOT Over tighten CO2 Cylinders.
• Other Range Commands
• Some ROs may use commence/cease fire
• Follow RO instructions and commands
• Safe Air Rifles for Target Ranges
• Use only 4.5mm/.177 cal. air rifles
• Use only air rifles with pellet velocities of
  600 fps or less
• Targets
• Shoot only at your designated target

24
Achieving a Perfect Safety Record

• Safety requires self-discipline and focuswe must
  always pay attention to safety
• Everyone is a Safety Officer
• Never tolerate unsafe gun handling by others
• Act immediately to correct unsafe situations
• Anyone can call STOP in a safety emergency
• Remember the GoalNo Gun Accidents!
• Who ever is holding the air-rifle is the most
  important safety component.

25
Becoming Marksmanship Qualified

• Cadets must attend safety training class
• Cadets must achieve 100 in a standardized safety
  exam
• Exam based on safety training class and Cadets
  Guide to Air Rifle Safety
• Cadets must sign Cadets Safety Pledge
• Enjoy your rifle marksmanship experience!

26

• Qualification
• The Marksmanship Safety Exam is an Open-Notes
  test
• 3P Training/ Qualification
• 13-18 Jan 2014
• Report here directly after school.

27

• Training Sessions
• Monthly Calendars are published
• Tuesday after school 1600-1800hrs
• Wednesday/Thursday morning practice at
  0600-0730hrs, on A-Days
• One or more Saturdays a month 0800-1100hrs .
• You are expected to be present 30min early to
  set-up gym.
• Compete for Competition Line-Up.

28
Questions?