Werribee International Handgun Club

Safety in any sport is extremely important but in a shooting sport it becomes more than just important. Subsequently all new members are required to attend two safety courses (one is club based and consists of a 4 hour course and the second is police based and is an 8 hour course) so that they may be shown the correct and safe way to handle firearms and become familiar with the range procedures.

On arrival at the range, the attendance book must be signed by the member and visitors. This is required for insurance purposes. On Saturdays and Sundays the book is in the clubhouse, any other time it will be on each Range.

When two or more shooters are using a range, one member is to act as “RANGE OFFICER”, and assume responsibility for the safe conduct of all shooters and shooting on that range.

Do not place firearms on the bench without the approval of the range officer. If in doubt as to whom the Range Officer is “ASK”.

When not in use all firearms must remain on the shooting benches with the muzzle pointing down range. The slide on semi-automatic pistols must be left open with the magazine removed and the follower (open end of magazine) facing the shooter. Revolvers must be left with the cylinder open (on double action revolvers), or the loading gate open (on single action revolvers).  All handguns MUST have a “Safety Flag” inserted. Long arms must be left in a condition that it is obvious that the firearm is unloaded. Needless to say, while in use, a firearm may never under any circumstances be pointed in any other direction than towards the target area, regardless of it being loaded or empty.

Never remove a firearm from the bench without having it checked and declared “CLEAR TO REMOVE”.

You may only have one firearm on the bench at any time, and you must occupy only one bench at any time.

When there are people forward of the firing line NEVER ENTER THE BAYS OR HANDLE FIREARMS IN THE BAYS OR BEHIND THE FIRING LINE. This also holds true when a cease fire or unload command is given.

A cease-fire call may be given by ANY PERSON who considers a dangerous situation exists. In all cases when a cease fire is called, all shooting must cease immediately, firearms unloaded and made safe and shooters step out of the bays.

NEVER LOAD YOUR FIREARM UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY THE RANGE OFFICER.

You are only permitted to load 5 rounds in a handgun for ISSF matches and 6 rounds for Service Pistol and WA1500 matches.

No firing is allowed before the range officer gives the appropriate signal or command.

Do not disturb other shooters while they are on the firing line, wait until they are finished. Also while observing other shooters you must be quiet so as not to disturb them and cause a possible dangerous situation.

Do not be afraid to ask others for assistance or advice, most shooters will be all to glad to give a helping hand with problems or questions about various firearms.

If you go onto a range and shooters are there but not shooting, do not assume that the range is clear and walk forward of the firing line, ASK FIRST.

All clubs have range rules that are formulated to protect members, visitors, and people who just wander onto the range. You must know these rules; someone’s life may depend on it.