Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024
Section 58-38-4 - Public Shooting Ranges4.1. Hours of Operation. Hours of operation will be posted at the entrance to each public shooting range and no person may utilize the range except during the posted hours. The range may be temporarily closed at the discretion of the responsible District Wildlife Biologist or Wildlife Manager, or other authorized party at a private or local governmental entity in which there is a cooperative management agreement in place with the Division.4.2. Range Safety. All range visitors using a public shooting range must observe all posted range safety rules. 4.2.1. All recreational activities (e.g., hunting, trapping, fishing, etc.), except for permitted uses of the public shooting range, are prohibited within the boundaries of the posted and delineated safety zone of a public shooting range.4.2.2. Target shooting on WMAs and state forests is prohibited except at a designated public shooting range.4.3. Shooting Range Targets. 4.3.1. Only paper, clay, polymer, plastic, and metal silhouette targets may be used on public shooting ranges on WMAs without prior approval of the District Wildlife Biologist or WMA Wildlife Manager. Glass, plastic, or metal containers or any other items not manufactured for the purpose of being used as a target may not be used as targets on public shooting ranges.4.3.2. After use targets, silhouettes, ammunition casings, shells, and other items brought to a public shooting range must be removed from the range by the shooter and taken with them upon leaving the public shooting range or items may be disposed of in containers provided at the range.4.3.3. The shooting of flying clay targets (e.g., trapshooting, skeet, sporting clays, etc.) is prohibited on public shooting ranges unless the range has been constructed to accommodate clay target shooting and is appropriately signed for that use.4.3.4. The use of explosive and incendiary targets is prohibited on public shooting ranges.4.4. Other Prohibitions. 4.4.1. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited within the boundaries of all public shooting ranges.4.4.2. No person who is an impaired state by use of alcohol, a controlled substance, or other drug may handle a weapon at a public shooting range.4.4.3. Except for persons who are under 16 years of age and who have a valid West Virginia hunting license or who are a member of a shooting sports team or club, no person under 16 years of age may use the public shooting range unless directly supervised by an individual 18 years of age or older.4.4.4. The use of incendiary, explosive, and tracer ammunition is prohibited on public shooting ranges: Provided, That tracer ammunition may be utilized at certain ranges that the Director determines do not create a substantial risk of fire.4.4.5. Hawking, peddling, soliciting, begging, advertising, or carrying on any business or commercial enterprise is prohibited on public shooting ranges without the written permission of the Director of the Division of Natural Resources.4.4.6. Loitering at public shooting ranges including the associated parking area is prohibited.4.5. Use of Weapons at Public Shooting Ranges.4.5.1. All weapons must be unloaded, and weapon handling must cease while any person is forward of the firing line. Weapons may be loaded and discharged only at established shooting stations.4.5.2. No person may move forward of the firing line until all firing has ceased, all users acknowledge an "All Clear" command and all weapons have been unloaded and placed on the shooting benches.4.5.3. Weapons must always be pointed downrange or in a safe direction.4.5.4. Use of fully automatic weapons is permitted only by an individual authorized to possess the weapon in accordance with the National Firearms Safety Act of 1934.4.5.5. No person may use a weapon in a manner that causes damage or destruction of any shooting range infrastructure or facility beyond that expected from reasonable use. Weapons utilizing a cartridge of .50 caliber and larger are permitted unless otherwise deemed inappropriate for use at a range designated unsuitable for large caliber ammunition. This prohibition does not apply to muzzleloaders.