E.P.P. 028
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE
NUMBER: EPP – 28
SUBJECT: FIREARMS RANGE SAFETY
EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 1, 2002
REVISED: JULY 1, 2022
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
FIREARMS RANGE SAFETY
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I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this directive is to ensure the safety of the department while attending
scheduled training sessions at the Firearms Range investigations.
II. PROCEDURE:
When attending and participating in scheduled firearms training:
A. Member shall:
1. Treat all guns as always being loaded;
2. Never point at or shoot anything you have not positively identified or are
not willing to destroy;
3. Bring the department issued firearm, and approved holster and any other
equipment needed or required;
4. Leave the weapon holstered upon arrival at the range and until advised
otherwise by the Range Officer;
5. Remain in the staging area behind the firing lines until advised differently;
6. Wait for further instructions by the Range Officer.
B. Range Officer shall:
1. Issue ammunition and ear protection to members as their turn comes to
shoot;
2. Take each group forward to the firing line and assign shooting positions;
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3. Inspect each member’s service weapon for proper functioning prior to
firing.
4. Insure that all service ammunition is unloaded from the member’s
weapon at this time.
C. Member shall:
1. Proceed to the firing line and shooting position on command of the Range
Officer with target ammunition;
2. Present service weapon for inspection to the Range Officer when
requested and slide locked to the rear;
3. Place service ammunition in trouser or shirt pocket;
4. Place empty weapon back in holster after inspection;
5. Remain in position on the firing line with weapon holstered and wait for
Range Officer’s instructions.
D. Range Officer shall:
1. After inspection of member’s weapon, proceed with instructions on
course of fire and enforce all safety procedures during the course.
E. Member shall:
1. Follow all instructions of the Range Officer or their assistant(s);
2. Not leave their firing line position unless advised to do so;
3. Not smoke on the firing line;
4. Not engage in needless conversation;
5. Not anticipate any instructions or commands by the Range Officer;
6. Not let the weapon “dangle” in their hand;
7. Not turn around on the firing line with weapon in hand. Holster weapon
first;
8. Keep the weapon down range at all times it is out of the holster;
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9. Keep the trigger finger off the trigger until the instant of firing (i.e., while
drawing the weapon from the holster);
10. Not hold the weapon with the weak hand when returning the weapon to
the holster;
11. Never permit the muzzle of the weapon to touch the ground;
12. Keep the weapon down range in case of malfunction and raise their hand
to notify the Range Officer of a problem.
F. Range Officer shall:
1. Take the weapon from the member and correct or replace the weapon if
necessary so the member may complete the course;
2. Return the member’s weapon to him safely.
G. Member shall:
1. When using’ a rifle or shotgun keep the action open and safety on, except
during the firing or tactical exercise;
2. Not pick up empty casings until instructed;
3. Remain in position after the last firing sequence with a holstered empty
weapon.
H. Range Officer Shall:
1. After the last firing sequence instruct members to reload their weapons
with service ammunition and holster the weapons for the remainder of
the stay at the range;
2. Assure a safe firing line;
3. Go forward and score targets;
4. Give individual scores to each member;
5. Return to staging area for next relay of shooters.
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I. Members shall:
1. Receive score and return to staging area turning in ear protection to the
next relay;
2. Place weapons in vehicle or leave it holstered if remaining at the range.
J. General Procedures:
1. No unauthorized personnel are allowed on the range during training
without prior permission of the Range Officer;
2. No children are allowed on the range;
3. No alcoholic beverages or drugs are allowed on the range, nor is any
person who has been consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs;
4. Spectators will remain in the staging area;
5. Spectators will not interfere with the smooth operation of the range
unless it is an emergency;
6. Spectators will not address, shout at, or converse with anyone on the
firing line;
7. Any violation of Firearms Range Safety Procedures may result in
disciplinary action;
8. Anyone designated by the Range Officer as an assistant will have the
same authority as the Range Officer in enforcing safety rules during
firearms training.