Ohio Admin. Code 1501:31-29-03 - Shooting ranges
(A) In accordance with section
1533.84 of the Revised Code, the
chief of the division of wildlife hereby establishes standards for shooting
ranges in Ohio. These standards address noise levels, hours of operation, and
safety. Private or public shooting ranges in Ohio should substantially comply
with these standards to receive the civil and criminal immunities granted under
section 1533.85 of the Revised
Code.
(B) Private and public
shooting ranges in Ohio should substantially comply with the listed noise or
sound levels that are set to prevent hearing damage and eliminate nuisance
noise complaints. Noise or sound level guidelines are described or explained in
great detail in "The NRA Range Source Book, 2012
edition
, Section I, Chapter six, (1999
Edition)." For the purpose of the chief of the division of wildlife's
standards for shooting ranges, the following noise or sound levels apply:
Unacceptable: If the sound level exceeds ninety decibels dB(A) for one hour out of twenty-four hours or eighty-five decibels dB(A) for eight hours out of twenty-four hours and the sound measuring receiver is located at the boundaries of the range property.
(C) The hours of operation for shooting
ranges shall be from seven a.m. to ten p.m. daily, except for indoor or archery
ranges.
(D) Private and public
shooting ranges should substantially comply with safety guidelines generally
recognized and accepted by the national rifle association (NRA). Suggested
safety guidelines are described or explained in great detail in "The NRA Range
Source Book, 2012 edition
, Section I, Chapter 2, (1999 Edition)." For the
purpose of the chief of the division of wildlife's standards for shooting
ranges, private and public shooting ranges shall have an implemented safety
plan that substantially includes, but is not limited to, the following items:
(1) A description of the range that
stipulates how, when, why, and by whom the facility will be used.
(2) The safety plan should divide rules and
regulations into the categories of gun handling rules, general range rules,
specific range rules, and administrative rules and regulations. Each category
should substantially contain, but not be limited to, the following items:
(a) Gun handling rules
(i) Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe
direction.
(ii) Always keep your
finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
(iii) Always keep the action open and firearm
unloaded until ready to use.
(iv)
Know your target and what is beyond the target area.
(v) Be sure the gun is safe to
operate.
(vi) Know how to use your
gun safely.
(vii) Wear ear and eye
protection.
(viii) Never use
alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
(ix) Store guns so that they are not
accessible to unauthorized persons or children.
(b) General range rules
(i) Know and obey the common range
commands.
(ii) Know where others
are at all times.
(iii) Shoot only
at proper and authorized targets.
(iv) When two or more shooters are present,
shooters should consult each other before moving down range from the firing
line.
(v) Unload, open the action,
ground or bench all firearms during a cease-fire or when someone moves down
range to the target area.
(vi) Make
sure bystanders and observers that are close to the range are wearing ear
protection.
(c) Specific
range rules
(i) Hours of operation for
shooting activities.
(ii) Type of
firearms allowed or restricted.
(iii) Caliber or shotgun gauges allowed or
restricted.
(iv) Bullet or shot
types allowed or restricted.
(v)
Target placement, type of targets, and target holders allowed or
restricted.
(vi) Type of shooting
activities allowed or prohibited.
(d) Administrative rules and regulations
(i) Rules and regulations that govern the
normal operation of the range and facilities such as parking, maintenance,
schedules, guest policies, fees, security, supervision, sign-in procedures, and
etc.
(ii) Procedure to spot-check
range users for compliance to range rules.
(iii) Penalties, sanctions, or consequences
for violations of the range rules and regulations.
(3) This safety plan shall be
posted in a prominent location on the range and range members or users shall be
made aware of the safety plan before firing on the range.
Notes
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1533.84
Rule Amplifies: 1533.84
Prior Effective Dates: 09/01/1998, 07/19/2002, 07/01/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 1533.84
Rule Amplifies: 1533.84
Prior Effective Dates: 9/1/98, 7/19/02
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