301 KAR 3:015. Shooting ranges on wildlife management areas

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Firing line" means an area from which a weapon is discharged either as designated by signage or by a range officer.

      (2) "Range officer" means a designated individual responsible for supervising a shooting range and ensuring compliance with this administrative regulation.

      (3) "Shooting range" means a facility on a Wildlife Management Area, except Central and Lloyd Wildlife Management Areas, owned or controlled by the department which is:

      (a) Established and maintained for target shooting with a rifle, pistol, or shotgun with single projectile ammunition;

      (b) Designated by a department sign as a public shooting range; and

      (c) Not a trap, skeet or similar facility where shotguns with multiple projectiles are fired at moving targets.

 

      Section 2. (1) If a shooting range exists on department property, a person shall not target practice, sight in a firearm or otherwise discharge a firearm except on the shooting range.

      (2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:

      (a) A hunter shooting at a legal game species; or

      (b) A department employee or certified volunteer hunter education instructor in the performance of his official duty; or

      (c) Individuals participating in a department sponsored hunter education class.

 

      Section 3. (1) Unless otherwise posted by a department sign or pursuant to an event permit issued according to 301 KAR 3:010, a person using a shooting range on department property shall sit facing forward on the bench and shoot his or her firearm through the tube.

      (2) A person shall not:

      (a) Enter except at a designated entrance;

      (b) Discharge a firearm:

      1. Before 9 a.m.; or

      2. After sunset except on a lighted range.

      (c) Be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicant;

      (d) Use a target other than a paper target;

      (e) Place a target anywhere except in the target frames provided;

      (f) Leave a target on a frame after he has finished shooting;

      (g) Use or have in his possession:

      1. A tracer bullet;

      2. Armor piercing ammunition; or

      3. A fully automatic firearm.

      (h) Leave spent cartridge cases or litter on the range;

      (i) Point a firearm in an unsafe direction or otherwise carelessly handle a firearm; or

      (j) Engage in horseplay or other potentially unsafe practices.

      (3) A person under the age of sixteen (16) shall not discharge a firearm unless he is under the direct supervision of a person at least eighteen (18) years old.

      (4) A spectator or other person not actively engaged in shooting shall not go beyond the firing line.

      (5) A person actively engaged in shooting shall not go beyond the firing line:

      (a) Without first stating "cease fire" in a voice loud enough for the other shooters to hear or clearly indicating for the other shooters to understand; and

      (b) Waiting until the other shooters have:

      1. Ceased firing; and

      2. Holstered their firearms or placed them on a table provided.

      (6) Upon hearing a "cease fire" command or seeing a person move beyond the firing line, a person shall:

      (a) Immediately cease firing;

      (b) Unload his firearm;

      (c) Leave his firearm’s action open;

      (d) Place his firearm:

      1. In a holster;

      2. On a table at the shooting station; or

      3. On the ground;

      (e) Not handle a firearm while a person is beyond the firing line.

      (7) More than one (1) person shall not be at a shooting station at the same time, unless one (1) person is an instructor and the other is a student.

      (8) A person shall immediately obey the range officer's command.

      (9) A spectator and a person handling the firearm shall wear protective eye and ear wear.

 

      Section 4. A shooting range may be reserved for group use, provided that:

      (1) The group has an event permit as specified in 301 KAR 3:010; and

      (2) The reservation is made thirty (30) days in advance; and

      (3) The group designates a range officer who shall oversee the event and ensure that all participants are in compliance with this administrative regulation.

 

      Section 5. Self-service Shooting Range Areas. (1) There shall be self-service shotgun range areas for shotguns with multiple projectiles fired at moving targets on the following Wildlife Management Areas:

      (a) Central Wildlife Management Area; and

      (b) Lloyd Wildlife Management Area.

      (2) A person or group shall seek the permission of a Wildlife Management Area manager to use the self-service shotgun area.

      (3) Scheduled WMA events preclude public use of the designated public, self-service shotgun station.

      (4) A user shall provide clay targets and portable throwers.

      (5) A person shall not:

      (a) Use single projectile ammunition;

      (b) Use any facilities except at a designated public, self-service shotgun station;

      (c) Discharge a firearm inconsistent with posted hours;

      (d) Be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicant;

      (e) Leave spent cartridges or litter on the range;

      (f) Point a firearm in an unsafe direction or otherwise carelessly handle a firearm; or

      (g) Engage in horseplay or other potentially unsafe practices.

      (6) A person under the age of sixteen (16) shall not discharge a firearm unless he is under the direct supervision of a person at least eighteen (18) years old.

      (7) A spectator or other person not actively engaged in shooting shall not approach the firing line.

      (8) While a person is actively engaged in shooting, a person shall not, including the operator of a target thrower, go beyond the firing line.

      (9) When shooters are waiting to use the designated public, self-service shotgun range, range time is limited to one (1) hour.

      (10) Spectators shall wear protective eye and ear wear at all times. (26 Ky.R. 1265; Am. 1535; eff. 2-14-2000; 29 Ky.R. 518; 927; eff. 10-9-2002.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 150.620

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 150.025, 150.620

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 150.025(1) authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to carry out the purposes of KRS Chapter 150. KRS 150.620 authorizes the department to promulgate administrative regulations to acquire land for the operation of shooting areas. This administrative regulation establishes procedures to ensure the safe operation of department-owned shooting ranges on the department's property.