Rule 391-4-9-.02 - Firing Ranges(1) Permissible Firearms and Ammunition on Ranges Owned or Operated by the Wildlife Resources Division: (a) Only firearms utilizing single projectile ammunition may be used on firing ranges, except that shotguns utilizing multiple projectile ammunition may be fired at stationary targets positioned such that discharged pellets will strike between the base and halfway up the backstop.(b) Sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off rifles, machine guns, dangerous weapons, and silenced weapons as defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-121, and any weapon firing more than once with a single trigger pull are prohibited on firing ranges unless approved by the department in advance for special events. However, sawed-off shotguns, sawed-off rifles and silenced weapons may be used by any person provided that such person has in possession proof of registration of such sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle and silencer consistent with the National Firearms Act and such person is in compliance with O.C.G.A. § 16-11-124(4).(c) Rifles using centerfire cartridges .50 caliber or larger are prohibited.(2) General Range Rules: (a) Alcoholic beverages as defined in O.C.G.A. 3-1-2 are prohibited on firing ranges.(b) No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is permitted on a firing range.(c) Smoking is prohibited on firing ranges.(d) Non-shooters shall remain at least six feet behind the firing line when a shooter is at the firing line, except a coach or instructor aged eighteen (18) years or older while directly advising the shooter at the firing line.(e) Tracer, incendiary or explosive ammunition is prohibited.(f) Targets shall be constructed of materials that will not cause bullet ricochet. Metal targets are prohibited unless approved by the department in writing prior to use.(g) Targets shall be positioned such that bullets will strike between the base and halfway up the backstop.(h) Shooting at flying or thrown objects is prohibited except with shotguns and shot shells in areas specifically designated by the department for such shooting activities.(i) Any person under eighteen (18) years of age shall be directly supervised by an adult eighteen (18) years old or older.(j) All objects, trash, targets, and spent cartridge hulls must be removed by firing range users when leaving the range.(k) Range use is allowed only in accordance with range hours and dates posted at the firing range.(l) Shooters shall fire only at the target directly down range of that person's position.(m) A person at or near the firing line shall wear hearing and eye protection when firearms are being discharged.(n) Double tapping and rapid fire are prohibited. Shooters shall allow at least one second between shots.(o) No person shall shoot a firearm or archery tackle when any other person is down range or otherwise between the shooter and the target.(3) Handling of firearms: (a) In the event of a firearm malfunction, hang-fire, misfire or squib load, the shooter shall keep the firearm pointed down range, advise all persons at the firing line of the malfunction, and unload as soon as possible. If the firearm cannot be cleared it must be removed from the range.(b) In the event of a firearm malfunction, all firearms at the firing line shall be unloaded with actions open for the duration of the malfunction.(c) All firearms on the firing line shall be grounded and unloaded with actions open whenever anyone is downrange.(d) The muzzle of any firearm on the firing line shall be pointed down range at all times.(e) The muzzle of a firearm in the firing position shall be in front of the front edge of the bench upon which it rests.(f) Muzzle loading firearms shall be loaded only with single charge dispensers; pouring powder from larger containers directly into a muzzleloader is prohibited.(g) Loading muzzleloaders must be done at least six (6) feet behind the firing line whenever another muzzle loading firearm is on the firing line.(h) Shooters must be at the firing line and the muzzle pointed downrange before capping or priming muzzle loading firearms.(i) Containers of muzzleloader propellant shall remain closed except when filling a single charge dispenser.(4) Range Safety Officers: (a) Any person on the range shall obey the range commands of department Range Safety Officers. This includes, but is not limited to: Begin Fire commands, Cease Fire commands, and Resume Fire commands.(b) Range Safety Officers may call a Cease Fire any time an unsafe condition is recognized on the range. Any person on the range shall immediately obey a Cease Fire command by grounding all firearms with actions open.(c) It is unlawful for any person on the range to disregard safety related instructions issued by a Range Safety Officer.(5) Shotgun Ranges: (a) Shooting is permitted only from designated shooting stations on trap, skeet and 5-stand ranges, in a safe direction down range.(b) Firearms shall be unloaded with the action open until the shooter is at the designated shooting stations on the trap, skeet or 5-stand range.(c) No more than two (2) shells shall be loaded in a shotgun at any time.(d) Waiting shooters shall remain a minimum of 3 feet behind the shooter at the shooting station, except that a person aged eighteen (18) years or older who is coaching or pulling may stand directly behind the shooter.(e) Shot sizes larger than 7 1/2 are prohibited.(f) No one is permitted down-range from the shooting stations at any time for any reason, except for Range Safety Officers in accordance with normal duties.(g) First time shotgun range users must undergo a safety briefing and range orientation by the Range Safety Officer.(h) Shotguns capable of holding 2 different gauge shells at the same time are prohibited.(6) Archery Ranges: (a) Arrows shall only be nocked onto the bowstring when standing on the shooting line and preparing to shoot.(b) Archers must shoot directly down range.(c) Archers shall keep nocked arrows pointed down range at all times. Pointing the arrow upward while drawing (sky drawing) is prohibited.(d) An archer may release an arrow only from the shooting line or position.(e) Bows must be hung on the bowhanger behind the shooting line when waiting to shoot or any person is down range retrieving arrows.(f) A person may place a paper face on an existing target provided that all paper is removed from the range or placed in a trash receptacle immediately after use. Personal targets are not allowed on range.(g) Shooting at flying or thrown objects is prohibited.(h) Non-shooters must remain at least six feet behind the archery line/post whenever any archer is shooting, except that a person aged eighteen (18) years or older who is coaching may stand immediately behind the pupil.(i) Only arrows with field or target points shall be used or possessed on range.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-9-.02
O.C.G.A. § 27-1-4.
Original Rule entitled "Firing Ranges" adopted. F. Dec. 22, 1980; eff. Jan. 11, 1981.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 5, 1992; eff. June 25, 1992.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 30, 1996; eff. June 19, 1996.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 29, 2001; eff. June 18, 2001.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. May 30, 2003; eff. June 19, 2003.Amended: F. May 27, 2009; eff. June 16, 2009.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jun. 1, 2011; eff. Jun. 21, 2011.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jun. 13, 2013; eff. July 3, 2013.Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 1, 2017; eff. June 21, 2017.