ML091940489 

UNITED STATES 

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION 

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS 

OFFICE OF NEW REACTORS 

WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 

November 10, 2009 

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2009-25: SMALL ARMS FIRING RANGE SAFETY ISSUES 

ADDRESSEES 

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power reactors under the 

provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, “Domestic Licensing 

of Production and Utilization Facilities.” All holders of operating licenses for Category I fuel 

cycle facilities, Category III fuel cycle facilities, conversion facility, and enrichment facilities. All 

applicants for a combined license to construct nuclear power plants under 10 CFR Part 52, 

“Licenses, Certifications, and Approvals for Nuclear Power Plants.” All holders of licenses for 

nuclear power plants undergoing decommissioning. 

PURPOSE 

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to inform 

recipients of recent events that occurred at small arms firing ranges owned and operated by 

NRC licensees to illustrate the potential hazards and the importance of adequate firing range 

design, range safety practices and procedures. The NRC expects that recipients will review the 

information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid 

similar problems. However, suggestions contained in this IN are not NRC requirements; 

therefore, no specific action or written response is required. 

BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION OF CIRCUMSTANCES 

A number of licensees own and operate small arms firing ranges for use by their security force 

to conduct weapons and tactics training. These firing ranges are often located in the owner 

controlled area (OCA), sometimes in proximity to the protected area (PA). These ranges are 

used during hours of both daylight and darkness for various training activities. Some licensees 

also make their ranges available to external agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies 

(LLEAs), for similar training purposes. During such weapons and tactics training activities, the 

following events have taken place in recent years:

(1) In May 2009, an incident occurred at an NRC-licensed facility’s firing range while in use 

by an LLEA for a Special Weapons and Advanced Tactics training exercise. One of the 

training activities performed involved a “room clearing” exercise in which trainees were 

required to assess dangerous situations and shoot quickly while moving. In this 

instance, LLEA personnel improperly placed targets such that rounds would be 

discharged in a direction the range was not designed for and away from backstops and 

berms. As a result, several rounds exited the range area, and hit a number of occupied 

buildings within the OCA and PA. Although no personnel injuries or safety-related 
IN 2009-25 

Page 2 of 2 

equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range 

activities. 

(2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for 

site security personnel at its onsite range. While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a 

plant employee was struck in the leg by a bullet. In this instance, the range design 

allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant areas. Subsequent to this 

event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for 

personnel injury or plant damage. 

DISCUSSION 

The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety 

significance. However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to 

a plant employee. The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current 

range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur again. It is also equally 

important for licensees to develop and foster (within personnel who work with and handle 

firearms or conduct range activities) a culture that instills and maintains awareness and 

sensitivity to the hazards associated with such activities. 

CONTACT 

This IN requires no specific action or written response. Please direct any questions about this 

matter to the technical contact listed below. 

/RA/ /RA by TQuay for/ 

Daniel H. Dorman, Director Timothy J. McGinty, Director 

Division of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Policy and Rulemaking 

 and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

Office of Nuclear Materials Safety 

 and Safeguards 

/RA/ 

Glenn Tracy, Director 

Division of Construction Inspection 

 and Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

Technical Contact: F. Scot Sullivan 

 (301) 415-6107 

 E-mail: Frederick.Sullivan@nrc.gov

Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, 

http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections. 
IN 2009-25 

Page 2 of 2 

equipment damage occurred, this event highlights the need to closely monitor range 

activities. 

(2) In December 2005, another licensee was conducting weapons and tactics training for 

site security personnel at its onsite range. While exiting the PA of the licensed facility, a 

plant employee was struck in the leg by a bullet. In this instance, the range design 

allowed for rounds to be discharged towards occupied plant areas. Subsequent to this 

event, the range was relocated and redesigned to ensure no potential existed for 

personnel injury or plant damage. 

DISCUSSION 

The actual consequences of the above firing range events had no nuclear or radiological safety 

significance. However, the events did result in minor damage to plant buildings and an injury to 

a plant employee. The NRC recommends that licensees review their procedures and current 

range design and practices to ensure that similar events do not occur again. It is also equally 

important for licensees to develop and foster (within personnel who work with and handle 

firearms or conduct range activities) a culture that instills and maintains awareness and 

sensitivity to the hazards associated with such activities. 

CONTACT 

This IN requires no specific action or written response. Please direct any questions about this 

matter to the technical contact listed below. 

/RA/ /RA/ 

Daniel H. Dorman, Director Timothy J. McGinty, Director 

Division of Fuel Cycle Safety Division of Policy and Rulemaking 

 and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation 

Office of Nuclear Materials Safety 

 and Safeguards 

/RA/ 

Glenn Tracy, Director 

Division of Construction Inspection 

 and Operational Programs 

Office of New Reactors 

Technical Contact: F. Scot Sullivan 

 (301) 415-6107 

 E-mail: Frederick.Sullivan@nrc.gov

Note: NRC generic communications may be found on the NRC public Web site, 

http://www.nrc.gov, under Electronic Reading Room/Document Collections. 

ADAMS Accession Number:ML091940489 Log# 2538

OFFICE RSOB:NSIR TECH EDITOR BC:RSOB:NSIR BC:FCTSB:NSIR BC:ISCPB:NSIR 

NAME FSullivan Azariah-Kribbs RAlbert RCaldwell CErlanger 

DATE 07/21/09 07/23/09 07/24/09 07/29/09 07/27/09 

OFFICE BC:RSRLB:NSIR DD:DSO:NSIR D:DSP:NSIR D:DSO:NSIR OGC NSIR 

NAME DHuyck BWestreich RCorreia PHolahan JGoldberg RZimmerman 

DATE 07/23/09 08/19/08 8/06/09 08/11/09 08/20/09 09/15/09 

OFFICE PGCB:DPR PGCB:DPR BC:PGCB:DPR D:DCIP:NRO D:FCSS:NMSS D:DPR 

NAME DBeaulieu CHawes MMurphy GTracy DDorman TMcGinty (TQuay for) 

DATE 10/05/09 10/05/09 11/09/09 09/29/09 09/30/09 11/10/09 

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY