Ohio Administrative Code › Title 1501:31 - Division of Wildlife › Chapter 1501:31-29 - Hunter Safety and Trapper Education Courses › Section 1501:31-29-03 - Shooting ranges

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(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." 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." 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.