Safety area (shooting)
In practical shooting sports, a safety area is a bay where shooters can handle unloaded firearms without the supervision of a Range Officer (RO).[1][2] Safety areas are used in dynamic shooting sport disciplines (e.g. IPSC,[3] PPC 1500, Steel Challenge).[4][5][6] They may be used to pack, unpack or holster a gun,[7] cleaning or repair,[8] dry firing and training with empty magazines.[9][10]
In June 1981, IPSC published its first major rulebook consisting of 26 pages, which largely established what had become common practices at that time.[11] It was established that except when shooting, all firearm handling should be performed in a "safety zone" (later called safety area). For some time these were also colloquially known as "fumble zones",[12][11] i.e. where shooters could "fumble" with their firearms when not shooting.[11] Breach of this resulted in match disqualification in the same way as negligent discharge, while safety goggles were still not required, but recommended under the 1981 rules.[11] The introduction of the safety area was welcomed by shooters, and has been seen as one of the largest firearms safety improvements in practical shooting competitions.
Safety areas should be constructed with a backstop,[13] so that any accidental discharge is safely contained. It will have a designated safe direction in which shooters can point the muzzle of their firearm.[14][15] Safety areas are commonly used together with a cold range policy, which means that no firearms on the range are allowed to be loaded unless under the direction of a range officer.[16][17]
The handling of ammunition is expressly prohibited within the safety area, including any dummy rounds. Outside the safety area ammunition can be handled freely to load magazines, but firearms may only be handled under the direct supervision of a Range Officer. This strict separation of firearms and ammunition prevents accidents like accidental discharge. Violators will typically be disciplined, with immediate disqualification and exclusion from the competition.[18] For example, competitors are not permitted to handling their firearm in their car while inside the match area.[19]
References[edit]
- ^ Safety and Orientation | International Practical Shooting Confederation - IPSC
- ^ Crooked Falls Practical Shooters - Basic Rules
- ^ IPSC 2015 Combined Rules, Rule Section 2.4 Safety Areas
- ^ Nordic Steel Challenge Rule Book - April 2019 Edition
- ^ Intro to Pistol Shooting - Safe Shooting - Techniques and the Requirements for a "B" Endorsement
- ^ South African Hunting Rifle Shooting Association Rules Revision Serial Number 05/2017
- ^ [Vidar Nakling (1993, Myopics) - Praktisk pistolskyting - slik blir du bedre, 4th Edition, p. 154 ISBN 82-993331-0-5]
- ^ USPSA Competition: Speed, Power And Accuracy | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal
- ^ Safety Area, Boxing/Un-boxing - IPSC Black Badge / ACC
- ^ Eastern Nebraska Practical Shooters > Match Info > Match Safety Procedures
- ^ a b c d Folke Myrvang (2023) - Fra stridsskyting til dynamisk sportsskyting, p. 143-149, ISBN 978-82-303-5835-1
- ^ Vidar Nakling (1993, Myopics) - Praktisk pistolskyting - slik blir du bedre, 4th Edition, p. 154 ISBN 82-993331-0-5
- ^ USPSA Safety Areas and how they work - YouTube
- ^ Beginners Guide to IPSC Shotgun.pages
- ^ Handgun – International Practical Shooting Confederation Australia
- ^ New Competitor Safety & Match Procedures Briefing - Glock Sport Shooting Foundation
- ^ 2013 SCSA Rule Book (Steel Challenge Shooting Association)
- ^ IPSC Combined Competition Rules (6 Disciplines) - Jan 2024 Edition - Final 31 Jan 2024, Section 10.5 Disqualification – Unsafe Gun Handling
- ^ A Guide to Getting Started in USPSA Practical Shooting - Safely! - northwestsection.org, 21 Jul 2014
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