|
Background:
All NRA and CMP
sanctioned matches require the use of devices to indicate when a
firearm is not ready to fire. These devices are known by various
names: ECI – Empty Chamber Indicator, OBI – Open Bolt Indicator, CBI –
Clear Bore Indicator and CF - Chamber Flag.
Many public and
club ranges (particularly large ranges such as ours) have adopted the
required use of such devices for general as well as competition
operations. The primary benefit is to indicate firearm status to other
shooters and RSOs (range safety officers).
In our case
(particularly during sight-in days) the range officers are far enough
from individual shooters and there are a sufficiently wide variety of
firearms so that the RSOs and other shooters cannot readily see that
firearms are in a not ready to shoot status during a cease fire.
Similarly, the status of firearms during transit to and from the
firing line or during boresighting is also not obvious.
Rule:
Except when the muzzle is pointed at
the target (backed up by a berm) directly in front of the shooter and
while the range is HOT (clear - ready for live fire), the firearm must
be fitted with an approved Empty Chamber Indicator. The ECI must be
inserted so that a portion is in or thru the chamber and another
portion is clearly visible to nearby shooters and/or the RSO.
Allowed exceptions to the above rule:
- The firearm is in a case (inside the case – not in route from or to
the case).
- SA revolvers must be hammer down on an empty chamber or
safety notch and either holstered or in a case.
- Muzzleloaders must be unprimed, stood muzzle up
in inside corner of bench, and have either a ramrod or dowel with an
affixed yellow ribbon in the empty bore.
- As specifically authorized by and in the presence of a RSO.
Implementation:
The shooter may provide his/her own ECI
(subject to RSO approval) for each firearm out of a case.
The club will sell the following ECI
devices:
- CMP #244 type at $1.00 – 0.22 and larger caliber
- DPMS AR-15 style at $2.50 – 0.22 and larger caliber
- 36 Inch Red Line at $1.00 – 0.17 to 0.22 caliber
- 36 Inch 5/16 wood dowel at $1.00 – muzzleloaders 0.36 and larger caliber
|
