Marksmanship Safety Training

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. #1 goal—no 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 Learning To Handle Guns Safely

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 direction—usually 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 2—Actions Open • 2nd rule in gun handling—keep 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 3—Finger 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. CBI—Clear 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. LOAD OK to charge gas mechanism OK to insert pellet OK to close action START OK to begin firing OK to continue firing 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 Basic Range Commands

16. 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 Safety Definitions

17. Safe Loading Procedure • Start with open action • Operate charging lever • Insert pellet • Close action • Place rifle in position and fire shot • 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. Firing Completed Immediately open action Ground rifle Insert CBI Wait for instructions Range Safety Procedures

21. Range Safety Procedures • Loaded Rifle afterSTOP-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 line—keep rifles in closed cases • Bring closed case to firing line with muzzle oriented downrange • After opening case—open action and insert CBI • Remove rifle from case, ground rifle, remove case from firing line • After firing—replace rifle in case on firing line—CBI 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 focus—we 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 Goal—No 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?