Accidental discharge at the trap range

[bufalobill]

I am however a little disapointed that the survey question started (I assume) on my suggestion had to have the question word smithed/altered in such a way. The answer is all in the asking!

I created the question as neutrally as possible. Simple question around the discussion of toe rests. Safe, yes or no? You are correct in saying the result may have been different with a differently worded question. But that is the case for every question ever asked. I thought I had broken it down to the key issue here.

Back on topic, FYI the ATA Rules, Bylaws, Policies and Other Shooter Information booklet clearly addresses this in Section 3, Part I, #12 as such:

A contestant shall place a live shell in his/her gun only when on a post facing the traps. In Singles and Handicap shooting he/she may place only one (1) live shell in his/her gun at a time and must remove it or the empty shell(s) before moving from one post to another.

Any time on the line in a shooting position you are allowed to have a shell in the gun. That may be in an open carrier on a semi or pump, or in the chamber of an O/U.

The safe handling of the firearm is the responsibility of the shooter, following Federal, ATA, and club rules.


I think we have beat this dead horse long enough.

 

[tiriaq]

Why not just submit the question to the CFO's office, and the folks who write the range approvals?

 

[Claybuster]

Why not just submit the question to the CFO's office, and the folks who write the range approvals?

Let's not and stick with the rules established by the various shooting associations. Why encourage the CFO to bring in a new set of rules when the ones that are in place now seem to be working well?

 

[beretta boy]

Have been a member of various very active Gun Clubs since the 60's, and have observed the "toe rest" in practice for all of that time ( almost 40 years) I can say I certainly never witnessed ( several THOUSANDS of shooters observed, both at "recreational" week-day and weekend shooting and at ATA, NSSA & NSCA registered events) nor have I heard of any kind of incident whatsoever in connection therewith.

Give it up this "Tempest in a Tea Pot" it's certainly not worth losing any sleep over. We've all got differences of opinion ... that's why there's horse races.
For those who don't want to ... by all means, then don't rest your shotgun on your toe. For those that do ... carry on.

 

[tiriaq]

This site is monitored by the "powers that be". This thread has a header "Accidental discharge...". There is every likelihood that this discussion has been noted by the CFC. If the good folks who write range approvals feel that the practices being discussed are unacceptable, their opinion is going to be reflected in the written conditions for range operation.

 

[Claybuster]

This site is monitored by the "powers that be". This thread has a header "Accidental discharge...". There is every likelihood that this discussion has been noted by the CFC. If the good folks who write range approvals feel that the practices being discussed are unacceptable, their opinion is going to be reflected in the written conditions for range operation.

True enough but let them make that decision as opposed to submitting it to them.

FWIW, I shoot regularly with one of the Ontario range inspectors and he's well aware of the practice and has never said anything about it. He's also not shy about pointing out safety violations to shooters at our club when he notes them. Not shy at all. That's one of the reasons I like shooting with him.

 

[mikey_10]

In International trap, you get deducted for turning counter-clockwise as you exit station 5 to pass behind the other shooters on your way to station 1. Never heard of anyone bumping into one another doing that either, let alone an injury or death.

potential dinging someones $5k gun is worthy of a penalty

 

[bisonhd]

I've never seen such poor gun handling than at a trap shoot. Guy's and Gal's walking about waving their guns all over the place. I don't care if "They know" their guns are unloaded. Muzzles should always be pointed in a safe direction.