Notice of Three Motions to change Range Rules and Operational Procedures

At the March meeting three motions were made and seconded. The vote on these motions will be held during the April 2^nd General meeting.

The italic text is informational and not part of the motions text.

First Motion . add the following sentence as the 5^th bullet to the Range Rules in the Ammo Rules section:

5. No ammunition other than rimfire and pistol caliber centerfire may be used on the “Blue Range. “

(end of test of the first motion)

Synopsis of statements during discussion – The blue range was built as a rimfire range, but an ammunition restriction was never formally documented. The berm has seen damage from several sources and steps have been taken to stabilize the berm. This ammunition restriction is seen by the Board as a necessary step to assure the berms stability. The restriction is on ammunition, not firearm type i.e. pistol caliber carbines would be allowed.

—————————————————————————–

Second Motion – to adopt the Map , Control Station Sign TCMSA Range Overview document and Rule Change(that follow below)

1. Map.

Note – name changes from Red Range to Main Range , Blue Range to Short Range and Yellow Range to Restricted Area (modified and expanded) – A copy to be mounted at every control station and a poster sized copy in the Rail Car next to TCMSA overview.

1. Control Station Sign(To save space this is not the sign format just the text )

Making the Range COLD or HOT

To access Restricted Area (including 200 yd line) use YELLOW Light System

Communicate Walk the line, make eye contact, get agreement from all.

Inform Magazines out, actions open & empty, muzzles down range.

Audible indicator (horn) ONE blast for COLD: TWO for HOT

Visual indicator (lights) Lights ON for COLD or OFF for HOT

Verify Everyone DOWN RANGE is back before going HOT.

Note –Modifies the wording of the existing signs. All current signs would be replaced.

2. TCMSA Range Overview

TCMSA Range Overview

The TCMSA Facility has three ranges, the Main Range (with Rifle, Handgun, and Shotgun areas and a Restricted Area), a Short Range, and an Archery Range. A color-coded light system indicates range status, aka HOT or COLD, and permits a range to be HOT or COLD without impacting the other range. Strobe lights are located along the firing lines and on the West end of the Box Car. The Archery Range has no light system and operates independently of the other ranges.

FIREARMS MAY NOT BE FIRED OR HANDLED WHILE STROBE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE RESPECTIVE RANGE.

LIGHTS DO NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR MEMBERS TO COMMUNICATE FACE TO FACEWITH OTHERS BEFORE CHANGING RANGE STATUS.

Short Range

The Short Range, located to the left of the Main Range, is a 50-yard range contained within a Wall on the right and a Berm at 50-yards.

Short Range Light System

The Short Range Light System consists of blue strobes on the firing line and at the West end of the Box Car with a local bell, all controlled by local switches on the Short-Range firing line.

Main Range

The Main Range consists of Rifle, Handgun, and Shotgun areas, and a Restricted Area.

Main Range Light System

The Main Range Light System consists of collection of red strobes located along the Main Range Firing Line and on the West End of the Box Car, all controlled by local switches. The Main Range has a horn which is manually activated when changing range status.

Restricted Area

The Restricted Area is used to control access to areas beyond the Short-Range Berm and 100-yard Berm. The Restricted Area is necessary as a direct line of sight exists from portions of the Short-Range Firing Line over the Short-Range Berm and Wall to the 100- and 200-yard rifle target holders and beyond. The 100-yard Berm, the Short-Range Berm, and the top of the Short-Range Wall are included in the Restricted Area. (Targets may be placed on the lower half of a berm.)

Restricted Area Lights

The Restricted Area Light System is controlled by a single switch located on the Short-Range Firing Line which actuates ALL range strobes (red, blue, and yellow) and actuates an alarm which signals every 30 seconds. The Restricted Area Light System overrides all light systems when activated.

NOTE: Lights must be turned off using the same switch at which they were turned on.

TCMSA Overview – A document offering a member refresher and visitor training aid on range operation. A poster sized copy to be mounted in the Rail Car next to the Map.

3. Rule Change

Replace existing bullet 7 of the Range Rules – Control Rules with the following :

7. After walking the line, making eye contact, obtaining agreement from all from impacted persons, and confirming firearms have been made safe, any member may change a range’s status to COLD. Before taking a range HOT, it must be confirmed everyone downrange has returned to the firing line and is ready to go HOT.

Use audible horn signal to signal others of the range change; one blast for COLD and two for HOT. Then turn lights ON for COLD Range or OFF for HOT Range.

The Restricted Area Light system must be used to enter any portion of the Restricted Area. Before accessing the Restricted Area (including the 200-yd line), concurrence is required from all Short and Main Range users. Restricted Area Light system overrides ALL lights and all audible alarms.

Main and Short Range lights are controlled by switches along the firing lines, and the Lights must be turned off at the same location that was used to turn the lights on.

(end of text of the second motion)

For reference – Existing bullet 7 – Range Rules – Range Control Rules

7. Any member may change range condition to COLD RANGE, HOT RANGE. Walk the line making eye contact and get agreement. Inform/assist members to make firearms safe. Use audible horn signal; one for cold and two for hot. Use strobe lights as appropriate. Make sure everyone downrange is back before making range hot.

Concerning Second and Third Motions

Synopsis of statements from discussion– Currently the range rules and operational procedures do not cover the way the range is posted and operated. If passed the rules , procedures and signage would align, providing increased member understanding of safe range operation. This may not be the perfect fix, but it is a solid start.

Synopsis of statements leading to a parallel motion (Third Motion) The current signage needs to be replaced; if passed signs could be printed and mounted. The new Map and Control Station wording should be used as a foundation. Get the signs mounted, then take the time and do the rest properly. Current range rule #7 should be in an operational procedure document not the range rules. The change to the Range Rules should be moving #7 not it’s in place modification.

Third Motion – Adopt – the Map and Control Station Sign only(as presented above for Motion Two and see the synopsis of statements leading to parallel motion above)

Post meeting, I was informed that the member that forwarded the Third Motion will offer a motion for leave to withdraw it prior to any vote. This is in support of the Second Motion. If passed the motion will be withdrawn.

If that wasn’t fun enough – There are contradictory terms between these motions and inconsistencies within the documents proposed for adoption.

Examples – Documents in the Second Motion rename the Range that is the subject of First Motion

Names or descriptions of the same object within the Documents are not consistent – yellow light system / Restricted area light system – possibly others.

These can be easily changed by amendments to the motions at the next meeting, but the group will then need to determine if these changes are of the type that would trigger another announcement of charge requirement i.e. that the text of the motion be posted – or are strictly housekeeping that does not affect the proposed Range Rule or Operational Procedure changes and should be considered de minims and so not requiring additional posting.

President John Drewrey