Club Rules

Midland County Sportsman’s Club

8825 Sturgeon Avenue – P.O. Box 1932

Midland, MI 48641

Safety Rules

The Board of Directors will carry out this policy by adopting and enforcing range rules which are adequate, reasonable and enforceable. These rules replace and supersede all previous range rules. The Board of Directors may revise and further define these rules in the future.

Discipline and Enforcement

Membership is a privilege with a responsibility. Shooting is also a privilege with a responsibility. Every member has a responsibility to be familiar with, understand, follow and help enforce these rules. Willful or negligent disregard for any of these rules will result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the Club and possible civil penalties.

THESE RULES WILL BE ENFORCED.

Certification to Shoot on the General Outdoor Range

Before any member is permitted to shoot, he or she must be certified to shoot. That involves reviewing this safety policy and range rules with someone designated by the BOD, as well as demonstrating the safety rules listed at the end of this booklet. When the designated member is confident the uncertified member understands and intends to obey the rules, he or she certifies that member to shoot.

Certification to Shoot on the Restricted Outdoor Range and the 600-Yard Range

Before any member is permitted to shoot on the restricted outdoor range or the 600-Yard range, he or she must be certified to shoot on those ranges. The certification procedures are similar to above except the member must also demonstrate basic proficiency with the type of firearm he or she will be using.

Certification to Use Trap and Skeet Equipment

The trap and skeet houses and machines are open and operated only by those certified to do so. No other access to the house and use of the machines is permitted. Members are free to use their own hand and portable trap equipment on the shotgun range. Except for scheduled trap and skeet times and other organized events listed in the newsletter, the 600-yard range and trap/skeet shooters will use the ranges on a first-come, first serve basis.

Automatic Firearms

No firearm may be fired on MCSC club property in a fully automatic mode.

Firearms

1. Only legally owned and possessed firearms are permitted on Club property.

2. CENTER FIRE RIFLES are NOT permitted on the indoor range.

3. SHOTGUNS are NOT permitted on the indoor range.

4. Center fire rifles of pistol caliber are permitted on the outdoor restricted range.

Ammunition

1. Incendiary and tracer ammunition are not permitted on Club property.

2. Neither MAGNUM LOADS nor SHOT SHELLS are permitted on the indoor range.

Multiple Loading

Multiple loading is permitted on all ranges.

1. Multiple loading for all center fire rifles and handguns is limited to ten (10) rounds.

2. Multiple loading for all .22 rim fire guns is limited to fifteen (15) rounds.

3. Multiple loading for all shotguns is limited to two (2) rounds.

4. Exceptions to these multiple loading rules will be considered individually by the BOD.

Shooting Hours

1. All outdoor shooting, including shotgun, is limited to daylight hours between 8:00 a.m. and dusk.

2. Outdoor night shooting under artificial lights is not permitted.

3. Indoor shooting hours are not restricted.

4. Exceptions to these hours will be considered on an individual basis by the BOD.

5. Scheduled activities approved by the BOD will take precedence over informal shooting.

Club Gate

The Club gate should be closed and locked at all times unless a special event open to the public is taking place.

Club Gate Combination

The gate combination is on the back of the membership card. It is each member’s responsibility to keep the combination confidential.

Clubhouse Key

To obtain a clubhouse key for a small sum, present your membership card to ACE Hardware, Midland, and they will make you a key.

GENERAL RULES

1. All activities on the Midland County Sportsman’s Club property relating to the transportation, carriage and discharge of firearms shall be in accordance with current Federal, State and local regulations as well as MCSC rules.

2. Only members, members’ dependents and accompanied guests may participate in shooting on designated ranges.

3. A member’s dependent or guest (includes all day members) must shoot under the direct supervision of the member. The member is responsible for their dependent’s and guest’s and/or day member’s actions and the collection of all range fees.

4. All shooters on MCSC property must be, at minimum, a day member by signing either an individual form (provided in the clubhouse and at the general outdoor range by the guest fee deposit box), or by signing a group-event sign-up sheet provided by the event director. All day-membership forms will have the general rules included for the day member(s) to read.

5. Spectators are not permitted within ten (10) feet of the firing line without eye and ear protection in place.

6. All firearms must be operated in a safe and reasonable manner. CARELESSNESS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

7. All uncased firearms must be handled with the action open and empty of ammunition except when in position for firing. When not in use, all firearms must be unloaded and cased or placed in a designated storage rest.

8. Ear and eye protection is required for all persons on the firing line.

9. All firing must be done from the designated firing line.

10. All firearms must be unloaded with action open and on the bench or in a case or designated storage rest before any person proceeds down range. On the general outdoor range, the red range warning lights must be turned on before any person proceeds down range.

11. Firearms must not be handled or touched when anyone is down range or when the red range warning lights are turned on.

12. Prior to shooting, visually check the firing line, the mid-range area, the target area, the impact area and any area beyond impact for other persons who might be in these areas.

13. Shoot only into designated backstops from the corresponding firing points. NO CROSS-FIRING IS PERMITTED. All shots must be confined to target berms.

14. Loaded firearms must never be aimed or pointed above the target area.

15. Upon hearing the command to CEASE FIRE, regardless of who gives the command, all shooting will stop immediately and firearms will be placed on the bench or on the mat at the firing position and unloaded if so instructed.

16. Before going down range, all persons must communicate and receive acknowledgment of their intention from all other shooters.

17. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the firing ranges. Persons under the influence are not permitted on the firing ranges.

18. Excluding trap and skeet, shooting will be permitted only at paper targets. Shooting at bottles, cans, or other objects (on the ground or elevated) is prohibited. Exceptions to these rules will be considered individually by the BOD.

19. Hunting or shooting of wild animals on MCSC property is prohibited.

20. All firearms must be cleared of ammunition with the actions open before leaving the firing line.

21. As a courtesy to others, shooters should remove targets and police the area of brass and other debris before leaving the range.

22. MCSC membership card must be in your possession when using Club facilities and must be presented upon request from any other member.

REMEMBER:

SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!

1. TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED.

2. ALWAYS POINT THE MUZZLE IN A SAFE DIRECTION.

3. NEVER LOAD YOUR WEAPON UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO USE IT.

4. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER AND OUT OF THE TRIGGER GUARD UNTIL YOU ARE ON TARGET AND READY TO FIRE.

[ Home ] [ By-Laws ]