Md. Code Regs. 10.16.06.48

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 10.16.06.48 - Specialized Activities: Marksmanship Using Rifles and Air Guns

A. Rifle Range. For a camp that offers riflery activities, an operator shall ensure that:

(1) The rifle range is located where a camper will not wander into the field of fire while engaged in other camp activities;

(2) If possible, the direction of fire is to the north to minimize a shooter being blinded by the sun;

(3) A blind approach to the field of fire is fenced, with warning signs posted;

(4) The firing line is level from one flank to the other with a minimum of 5 feet between firing points;

(5) A ready line is established 10 feet to the rear of the firing points;

(6) The rifle range is free of an object that might cause a bounce back or a ricochet; and

(7) Except when visibility extends downrange for at least 3,000 feet beyond the targets, a backstop is present that is:

(a) A hill that:

(i) Has a crest of not less than 30 feet above the level of the firing point;

(ii) Is clear of brush for an area at least 100 yards up the slope from the targets or to the crest of the hill;

(iii) Has a cut taken out of the face of the hillside immediately behind the targets to provide a perpendicular face to catch the bullets and prevent ricochet;

(iv) Has all rocks, glass, and metal removed from the perpendicular cut immediately behind the targets; and

(v) Has a nonremovable obstacle covered with at least 6 inches of soil and sodded or seeded to prevent a ricochet; or

(b) A wood crib that is:

(i) Filled with dry earth or sand; and

(ii) At least 10 feet high, 30 inches thick, and 6 feet beyond the end of the targets.

B. Air Gun Range. An operator shall ensure that an air gun range:

(1) Complies with all requirements of §A(1)-(6) of this regulation; and

(2) Except when the entire safety fan area of the air gun range is unoccupied, has a backstop that meets all requirements of §A(7) of this regulation or has a backstop that:

(a) Is covered with soft material to prevent a ricochet, a bounce back, or a shot from leaving the range area;

(b) Has walls or side berms that are covered with soft materials to prevent a ricochet, a bounce back, or a shot from leaving the range area; and

(c) Is sufficient to stop or contain the pellets.

C. For a camp that offers a riflery or an air gun activity, or both, an operator shall ensure that:

(1) A camper is instructed in safe firing range procedures before the camper participates in the activity;

(2) Red firing flags are conspicuously displayed when the range is in use;

(3) Only an individual ready to fire is on the firing line and anyone waiting to fire remains behind the ready line;

(4) An individual stays behind the firing line at all times, except when ordered by the instructor to retrieve targets; and

(5) Guns and ammunition are stored separately in a locked storage area.

D. Riflery and Air Gun Activity Staff Members.

(1) An operator shall ensure that:

(a) During the riflery or air gun activity, a director is present at the camp or, when the activity occurs off the camp premises, the activity site;

(b) An instructor and at least one counselor or assistant counselor to assist are on the range at all times during a firing session; and

(c) One adult staff member, adult volunteer, counselor, or assistant counselor is on duty and supervising the campers for each group of ten campers or fraction of ten campers on the firing line.

(2) An instructor shall ensure that:

(a) The equipment is clean and in good repair;

(b) The equipment is stored safely and secured;

(c) The equipment use is controlled by means of a checkout system;

(d) Safety glasses are provided for and worn by each shooter and staff member on the firing line; and

(e) Except at an air gun activity, ear protection is provided for and worn by each shooter and staff member on the firing line.

E. Procedures. An operator shall ensure that a safety plan is developed and implemented:

(1) According to Regulation .52 of this chapter; and

(2) That includes procedures for meeting the requirements of §§A-D of this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 10.16.06.48

Regulations .48 adopted effective September 1, 2004 (31:2 Md. R. 85)
Regulations .48 amended effective 42:7 Md. R. 569, eff.4/13/2015