Target Range Regulations

A.The purpose of these Rules and Regulations is to establish and regulate permitted shooting activities and establish operational procedures of Rhode Island’s state target range(s).

A.These Rules and Regulations are promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 42-17.1; 42-17.10; 20-1; 20-13;1-8; and in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35, the Administrative Procedures Act.

A.For the purposes of these Regulations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.“Armor piercing ammunition” means a projectile or projectile core which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium.

2.“Cease fire” means users are to immediately stop firing and place in-use firearms on the shooting table with the muzzle pointing downrange or in a gun rack with the muzzle pointing up.

3.“Cold range” means users are forbidden from handling or shooting firearms and may travel down range.

4.“Down range” means the area on any range forward of the designated firing line or shooting station(s).

5.“Firing line” means a designated and clearly marked line or area at a shooting range where shooters stand or position themselves to engage their targets.

6.“Hot range” means users are allowed to handle or shoot firearms and must not go down range.

7.“Minor” means any person under the age of 18, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 15-12-1.

8.“Range Safety Officer" or "RSO” means an approved RI DEM staff member or volunteer who oversees the safe function of an entire range facility and firing line.

9.“Shooting station” means a designated position or area at a shooting range or facility where an individual stands or takes their position while engaging in shooting activities.

10.“Uncontrolled rapid fire” means taking multiple shots at such a speed that all projectiles do not hit the intended target down range.

A.All target range users are responsible for adhering to this Title.

B.The RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to alter hours and days of operation as conditions warrant or for maintenance, safety concerns, and weather conditions.

C.The range is primarily a Hunter Education facility and may be closed without advanced notice for authorized training events.

D.All users must obtain a range permit prior to shooting or handling firearms on range ground except as part of division-sanctioned events. The RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to limit the number of range permits issued. Range permits are non-transferable.

E.To apply for a range permit, all applicants must:

1.Obtain an application form from the RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife, Great Swamp Field Headquarters, Education Office, or at www.dem.ri.gov.

2.Complete the application form (in pen or typed).

a.All applicants eighteen (18) years of age or older must attach a copy of your driver’s license or other government issued photo ID along with one (1) of the following certifications:

(1)State-issued Hunter Safety Education card

(2)Valid, state-issued, firearm hunting license

(3)RI DEM Pistol/Revolver Certification Card (“Blue Card”)

(4)Valid, Rhode Island pistol carry permit (state or town)

(5)Police or Military ID

(6)Equivalent Certification as determined and approved by the RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife.

b.All applicants under eighteen (18) years of age must attach a copy of the driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID of their parent or legal guardian.

3.Submit the completed application package per the directions on the form.

a.Users with incomplete applications will receive an explanation of missing elements with directions to complete their application.

b.Users with an approved application will be notified of the currently offered Range Safety Orientation schedule.

4.Range permits will be issued at the conclusion of a mandatory Range Safety Orientation with the following conditions:

a.Photo ID of the adult user, or the parent or legal guardian of the minor, must be presented in-person before the range permit is issued.

b.Users must attend a Range Safety Orientation within the season of initial range permit application before their application is nullified and must be resubmitted.

c.Once issued, range permits remain valid for five (5) range seasons beginning the year of the initial range permit application submission.

d.For renewal of expired range permits, resubmit a range permit application following the directions listed for “renewal.”

5.Assumption of the risk of injury and Indemnification: In exchange for a person’s use of the target range facility or issuance of a range permit for such use or the issuance of a range permit to a minor at the person’s request, said person agrees that he/she shall at all times assume full liability for any injuries which he/she or the subject minor may suffer while at or near the target range facility. In addition, said person shall hold the State and its agents harmless from any and all claims or damage suits arising from the person’s or the subject minor’s actions at or near the target range facility either by way of omission or commission.

A.With the understanding that public safety is a primary goal of the RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife; the use of a RI DEM operated range(s) is a privilege extended only to those individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills to safely use a firearm in public. Due to potential risk associated with the public use of firearms in a manner other than as dictated in these Regulations, the Range Safety Officer and range supervisory staff have the authority to immediately evict an individual and/or seize the range permit of any individual who demonstrates said unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior.

B.Any person aggrieved by a suspension decision pursuant to this Part, permanent revocation of a range permit, or determination to suspend or revoke a range permit, may appeal the decision in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35 and the Administrative Adjudication for Environmental Matters Act R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-17.7.

C.Any person who is found, pursuant to the authority of R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-2, to have used or to have attempted to use the target range prior to having been issued a range permit or during a period when the range is closed shall be assessed an administrative penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

D.Any person who is found, pursuant to the authority of R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.10 to have used or to have attempted to use the target range during the period of a suspension/revocation of his or her range permit pursuant to this Part, shall be assessed an administrative penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

E.Any person aggrieved by a final decision pursuant to this Part, may appeal the decision in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35 and the Administrative Adjudication for Environmental Matters Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-17.7.

A.While using a target range, all users shall:

1.Always treat all firearms as if they are loaded.

2.Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in the safest direction available.

3.Always keep their finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

4.Always know what is in front of and beyond their target.

A.Obey all range Regulations and commands issued by range staff.

B.Obey any and all “cease fire” commands immediately.

C.No alcohol or drugs are permitted on range property. Any user who is suspected of inebriation will not be permitted to engage in shooting activities and may be subject to range permit suspension or revocation.

D.Appropriate eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while shooting or while in proximity to an active firearm range.

E.All shooting range users must sign in before using a range and sign out upon leaving.

F.All permitted individuals must display their range permit on the corresponding shooting station clips so that it is visible to other users and to supervisory personnel. The range permit will remain displayed for the duration of the visit and should be reclaimed upon departure.

G.RSOs reserve the right to limit users from shooting if they are unable to safely handle their equipment or appropriately respond to RSO commands.

H.RSOs reserve the right to limit range time if new arrivals are waiting to shoot.

I.RSOs reserve the right to limit overall range capacity at any time.

J.No cell phones or electronic devices not directly related to shooting are allowed on the firing line without prior RSO authorization.

K.Users must be dressed appropriately for shooting activities as determined by range staff.

L.Food and drink are not allowed on the firing line.

M.Individuals are responsible for properly disposing of all trash generated, including shell casings and targets, prior to leaving the range.

N.Minors must be under supervision by an accompanying adult at all times and under direct one-on-one supervision by a range permitted adult user twenty-one (21) years of age or older whenever they are shooting.

O.Pets must be leashed and under direct supervision at all times while outside of a vehicle.

P.Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the range office and within twenty-five (25) feet of all target ranges.

Q.Retrieval of copper, lead, and/or other metals and debris from range berms and backstops is prohibited.

R.Climbing on any side of range berms and backstops is prohibited.

S.Parking is allowed in designated parking areas only.

T.The RI DEM Wildlife Management Area requirement of solid daylight fluorescent orange is not required of range users during any hunting season.

U.Possession of a firearm holstered on the body–concealed or open–is not permitted on range property.

A.Firearms must be transported to and from the firing line unloaded and in a case or bag.

B.Human silhouette targets and targets that depict people are not allowed.

C.No incendiary, reactive, or explosive targets are allowed.

D.Firing at objects other than staff-authorized range targets is prohibited.

E.Armor piercing and steel core ammunition is prohibited.

F.Incendiary–including tracer type–ammunition is prohibited.

G.The use of handloaded and reloaded ammunition is conditionally allowed. Any ammunition brought to the range in aftermarket containers, or believed to not be factory productions, is subject to inspection for safe, consistent firing behavior, per RSO discretion.

H.No firing of firearms from positions other than a designated shooting station.

I.No handling uncased firearms or occupying a shooting station while people are down range.

J.Before adjusting a firearm or it’s accessories, it must first be unloaded, the action opened, and the magazine removed, when possible.

K.No uncontrolled rapid fire.

L.Users must use a functional sighting system held to eye-level in line with a target.

M.Stockless shotguns and rifles are prohibited.

N.Derringers, mini-revolvers, pocket-pistols, and other small handguns without adequate, safe gripping surface are prohibited, per RSO discretion.

O.Slings may not be used to hang firearms freely and uncontrolled from the torso.

P.3D printed firearms are prohibited.

Q.Bump stocks are prohibited.

A.Firearms may only be cased and uncased on the elevated shooting station table when the range is hot.

B.Uncased firearms may only be handled or shot while at a shooting station when the range is hot.

C.Only two (2) firearms may be uncased simultaneously per shooting station, only one (1) of which may be loaded at one time. Users must visually indicate that they have fully unloaded all uncased firearms before leaving their shooting station.

D.Before a range may be declared cold by a supervising RSO, all range users must visually demonstrate that all magazines, ammunition, powder, and ignition sources have been removed from their uncased firearm(s).

E.RSOs may limit or restrict the use of ammunition which has more than one projectile if that ammunition causes facility damage.

F.Users are not to load more than ten (10) rounds of ammunition into any firearm or magazine at a time.

G.Detachable magazines capable of holding more than ten (10) rounds of ammunition and intended for use in semi-automatic firearms are not allowed per R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47.1-3.

H.Use only the provided target stand designated for your shooting lane.

I.A target’s intended point of aim must fit within the confines of the target stand and attached backer board.

J.Pneumatic pistols, rifles, and bows are allowed but must be handled in the same manner as all other firearms, as feasible.

K.Any projectile device that fails to pierce the corrugated plastic target back boards reliably and accurately is prohibited.

L.Any ammunition that produces over 5,000 foot/pounds of muzzle energy is prohibited.

M.The RI DEM Division of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to allow or disallow additional types of firearms or projectile-propelling devices as deemed appropriate to the facility capabilities or safety.

N.Regulations for muzzleloader, black powder, or black powder substitute firearms:

1.Never load directly from a bulk powder container into the barrel of a muzzleloader.

2.Re-seal bulk powder containers and place below the shooting table or behind the firing line before firing.

3.The use of smokeless powder in any muzzleloader not factory-designed for the use of smokeless powder is strictly prohibited.

4.Inline muzzleloaders will be placed with the breech plug removed or action open demonstrating no primer is present when the range is cold.

5.Black powder revolvers will have the cylinder removed from the firearm when the range is cold, if possible.

A.Clay target range users will case and uncase firearms on the designated table(s) with muzzles pointing down range and away from any persons.

B.Shotguns are to be carried unloaded with actions open and muzzles pointed directly up when moving between the designated uncasing table, gun rack(s), and shooting station.

C.All shotguns should be placed in a gun rack(s) unloaded with muzzle up and action open whenever persons are manipulating the clay target thrower(s) or down range of a shooting station.

D.Users are not to load more than three (3) shells in a shotgun at a time.

E.The discharge of any firearm other than a shotgun is prohibited on the clay target range.

F.Ammunition is limited to a maximum shot size of # 7.

G.Users shall not change the staff placement of the clay target thrower machine(s).

A.Archery range users without a shooting range permit must have a signed, current year archery range liability waiver form signed by an RSO before shooting.

B.Arrows fired by any means other than the energy of bending limbs and/or wheels and cams are not permitted on the archery target range.

C.Broadheads, both fixed and mechanical, are allowed on the archery range.

D.Bows must be put down and arrows removed from the string while anyone is down range.

E.All users must shoot from the same firing line while using the archery range.