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Things You Must Comply With

These rules apply to all members, guests and visitors, everyone is required to comply with them.

 

To view the club rules document (Click here)

Introduction

• The Waiuku Pistol Club is one of the most diverse in NZ. It is one of a few in Auckland where you can shoot rifles, shotguns and pistols in most calibre’s.
• The club is responsible for the administration of the range and the surrounding farmland.
• Horse riders have a right of way through the property. Shooting must stop until all riders are well clear of the range backstops.
• Please remember that the landowner is the Patron of the club.
• The club also caters for the Auckland Black Powder club, the Big Game Hunters and until recently the NZ Police.
• For safety reasons, all members, visitors, guests, children and anyone else attending the range must be capable of understanding and responding immediately to range commands in English. If they can not understand English, then they can not attend.
• The range operates under the conditions of a Resource Consent which limits the hours the range is open, the number of shots that can be fired and the maximum levels of noise that can be generated. Refer later to details.
• The range is certified by the NZ Police and you are required to read and comply with the Standing Range Orders that apply to each range, they differ from range to range so make sure you read and understand them. They are displayed in each range.
• Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction.
• Only load when on the firing line and under the instructions of a RO.
• Keep the finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
• Clearly identify your target and what is beyond.
• Always wear eye and ear protection.
• Transport pistols in a locked sturdy box.
• Only handle firearms in a safety zone.
• Always listen carefully to all RO commands.
• Never shoot whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
   

Range open hours

• The range is open Wednesday through to Sunday inclusive from 10.00am to 4.00pm
• It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and all Public or Statutory Holidays.
• Always check with our website before leaving to go to the range www.waiukupistolclub.org.nz. If there are any cancellations it will be on our website no later than 8.00am each day.
• This is especially important on Special Event Days in case of cancellation.

 

Upon arrival at the range

• The first thing you must do is to sign the attendance register upon arrival.
• You need to print your name, sign and your home club. You do not need to record the number of shots you have fired (excluding .22 calibre) until leaving the range that day. The reason for this is detailed later.
• If you are a pistol shooter, you must also record your visit on your pistol members card on top of the table next to the attendance book. This is to record your number of attendances which we report to the Police annually. If you do not record your attendance, it will not be counted.
• The red flags at the entrance to the range and on top of the hill at the bottom of range 1 must be raised before shooting commences.
• The flag for the entrance is usually kept just inside the club room door. The flag for the top of the hill is contained within the flag pole itself. All you have to do is to raise it by way of the pulley ropes at the bottom of range one.
• Your key fits the locks to all the ranges, clubhouse and containers. If you loose it, it will cost you another $20 to replace it.

 

Before you depart the range

• Before you leave the range, please put away any target frames you have been using, pick up all brass or in the case of .22 brass sweep it up. Please be a tidy clean club member.
• Upon departure, you must write alongside your name the number of shots you have fired (excluding .22 & 12g shotgun). This is because the club is limited to firing 4000 shots per day or 10,000 on a Special Event day, excluding .22 & 12g shotgun shots.
• Lower both red flags at the end of shooting, if you are the last person to leave the range. The flag at the end of range one you simply use the rope to lower it and it lives in its own compartment at the base of the flagpole. The flag at the entrance should be put inside the clubroom doors.
• If you are the last person to leave the range, you must ensure that ALL ranges are locked, not just the one you have been using.
• You must also ensure that all the containers where equipment is stored are also locked and the clubroom door and finally the main gate is also closed and locked.
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Whilst at the range

• You must wear your membership card whilst on the range. No excuses.
• No card, then you become a visitor and must wear a visitor’s sticker which will cost you $10 in the can below the sign in book. Learn to take your membership card as well as ammunition!!
• No membership card or visitor’s sticker, then no shooting will be permitted.
• If you are not wearing either you can expect to be challenged by other members.
• If you see other people on the range not wearing a name badge or visitors sticker you must also challenge them. Remember it is a shooting range and everyone there should be identifiable.
• You must wear covered footwear whilst on the range along with eye and ear protection.
• If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing covered shoes such as Diabetes, you must get a Medical Certificate and present it to the Committee for approval.
• Camouflage clothing or any clothing that is similar to that worn by SAS or SWAT units is banned.
• You must familiarise yourself with the Standing Range Orders (SRO) for each range. They are different for each range and specify what you can shoot on each range. A copy is on the website, in the club rooms and in each range.
• You can only discharge those firearms listed in the SRO and pistols held on a B license.
   

Standard Safety procedures

• If more than one person is shooting on the same range as you, one of you MUST become the Range Officer and control the range.
• Please refer to the attached club policy upon RO’s for rifle/shotgun users and pistol users below.
• No person shall refuse to obey a lawful instruction of a Range Officer.

 

        Rifles / Shotguns

• When you arrive at the range all rifles / shotguns must be removed from their bags, muzzle up and placed in the racks with actions open and magazines out or shotguns broken.
• After shooting, all rifles / shotguns must be cleared by the RO first and then racked.
• Semi Auto rifles must be cycled several times and dry fired as an aimed shot before being cleared by the RO and racked with actions open and magazines removed if possible. Flags may be used where actions can not be locked open.
• No person shall leave the range with a loaded firearm.
• No firearm may be loaded until instructed to do so by the RO.
• You must not move from the firing line until your firearm has been cleared.
• No one may go forward whilst a firearm is on a bench. They must be racked
  
  Pistols
   
• All pistols on the range must be either in a bag, box or holster with magazines out. They may only be removed in the Safety Zone for cleaning or repairing or on the firing line when instructed by the RO.
• Ammunition may not be handled in the Safety Zone.
• No person shall leave the range with a loaded firearm.
• No firearm may be loaded until instructed to do so by the RO.
• When firing is completed, all pistols must be cleared by the RO before bagging or holstering. This includes dry firing after being cleared.
• You must not move from the firing line until your pistol has been cleared.
• No one may go forward whilst a firearm is on a bench.
• Only pistols on a B license may be discharged on the range.
• We require you to go to Pistol NZ website at www.pistolnz.org.nz and read their rules under services/member services/pistol NZ members update handbook.

           

        General rules

• No Alcohol or drugs are to be consumed before or during shooting.
• If you are having a BBQ on the range, alcohol may be consumed but remember its a long drive home for most.
• Metal targets are designed for lead rifle and pistol projectiles. No FMJ are allowed or tracer rounds. If you put a hole in it, you own it and repair it!
• Similarly, you must not shoot at any of the barricades. They are barricades not targets.
• A club Event Calendar is also attached. It details various shooting events throughout the year and the Special Event days. There is something going on most Saturdays and Sundays.
• The backstops where our bullets land can have cattle grazing above them from time to time. The fence line keeping them off the range is very low.
• If the cattle are lower down it may be better not to shoot that day or before shooting starts try to move them up the hill. They are accustomed to shooting so do not move easily. If you accidentally shoot one, you can be assured that the one you shoot will be a prized cow worth thousands of dollars, and you will be paying for it.
• You need to be aware that one of our neighbours is very much opposed to the existence of the club. He is an aggressive person and whilst he is subject to a trespass order from entering the range, if he does enter and confront you, you must lock away all fire arms and report his presence to the Police. This is a safety requirement as we believe he is capable of provoking confrontation with members.
• How will you know him? By his attitude and aggressiveness!
• You must also report the matter to the club President.
   

In the event of an accident

• There is a full first aid kit located in the club rooms.
• Your first step is to assist the injured person and stop loss of blood.
• The next step is to summon first aide assistance. Send some one to do this if possible.
• If the injury is serious and requires first aiders to attend to the range then you must call 111 and ask for ambulance and Police.
• Be sure to say an “accident” not incident. The later will see the armed offenders squad deployed.
• A mobile phone signal is usually available from the top of the hill overlooking range one.
• Any accident, no matter how small must be reported to the President.
• Emergency numbers of the President and Vice President are printed on the reverse side of your membership card.

 

 

As a new member

• As a new member, you will be required to undertake a Safety Refresher course run by our Training Officers before your membership will be renewed.
• Your membership will not be renewed unless you have completed this course. You should contact a club Training Officer to make arrangements ASAP.
• If you are wishing to be trained in pistol shooting to qualify for your B Licence then you should look out for details of the next pistol training course commencement date and enrol for it.
• A new pistol training course starts around every 8-12 weeks.
• Check with our website under training.
• As a club member, you are entitled to bring 2 guests to the range, but only 1 guest may shoot at a time. You must supervise them at all times, irrespective of whether they have a FAL.
•  The guest fee is $30 each which must be placed in a brown envelope with the guest names on it and then placed in the tin can below the attendance register, which they must also sign in as your guest. They must wear a VISITORS sticker whilst on the range.
• If they do not hold a B licence, they may only shoot .22 pistols under your direct supervision at arm’s length.
• Visitors must be able to follow range commands in English. If they cannot, they cannot enter the range.
• Children must be strictly controlled at all times.
• Pets are not allowed to roam around the range.
   

Resource Consent conditions

• The club operates under a Resource Consent that requires the club to ensure it meets certain operating conditions. They are;

  • The range is closed on all Mondays and Tuesdays through the year.

  • The hours of operation are from 10.00am to 16.00pm.

  • The range is also closed on all Public Holidays (Statutory Holidays).

  • The noise from firearms must not exceed certain levels on normal operating days.

  • The doors to each range must be kept closed during shooting except when people are entering or exiting the range.

  • All firearms are required to be discharged from under the shooting shelters on normal operating days.

  • The only exception is certain pistols and all .22 firearms which can be discharged downrange in accordance the SRO (Standing Range order) for each range.

  • The approved list is currently;

    • All .22 rifles and pistols

    • 9mm pistols

    • 357/38 Special revolvers

    • .38 Super pistols

    • 40cal pistols

    • 45 ACP pistols

    • 12g shotguns

  • Some rifles that are renowned for generating very high levels of noise or short barrel rifles must only be fired through one of the shooting tunnels on range one or two.

  • This includes any rifle with a muzzle break.

  • So the general rule is the larger the calibre, the more likely it is that it can only be discharged through a shooting tunnel. If in doubt, ask.

  • On normal days the maximum number of shots fired during the day is 4000, excluding all .22 & 12g shotgun shots.

  • On Special Event days the number increases to 10,000, excluding .22 & 12G shotgun shots.

  • On 18 days each year (Special Event days), the club is allowed to generate a higher level off noise and this enables rifles and shotguns to be discharged downrange too.

  • The club is required to monitor the noise levels generated regularly to ensure that we comply with the conditions.

  • Penalties for failure to comply are substantial and if you fail to comply you can expect to be dealt with severely by the club and incur any legal costs or penalties imposed on the club by the Council

     

    What is a Special Event day

     

• The Resource Consent allows the club 18 Special Event days.

• These are days where the limitations are relaxed a little.

• On these days you will see events such as 3gunn and cowboys take place.

• This is because on these days members are permitted to discharge rifles and shotguns downrange.

• However all firearms still have to remain below a certain noise limit which is higher than normal on these days.

• As a rule of thumb, if you have a short barrel, it may not pass the test, so get it tested first before using it.

   

  Visitors (non club members)

• Visitors to the range who are not guests of members may only attend the range from 12.00noon on Saturdays for rifle shooting or 10.00am on Sundays for pistol shooting.

• Visitors must obtain a confirmed booking from the Secretary before attending the range. No booking, no shooting.
• All visitors must remain under the supervision and control of the duty RO for the day.
• Visitors who do not hold a B License are restricted to shooting .22 pistols only at arms length from a B license member.
• The cost to visitors is $30.00 per person which must be placed in a brown envelope with their name on it and placed in the tin can.

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  If you wish to become a pistol shooter

   

  The process to become a “B” licence club member

   

• Visitors are only allowed to visit 3 times and must decide if they wish to take up the sport (NZ Police regulation)
• Once you have become a club member, the club Secretary will issue to you an application form (FM1) to Pistol NZ which you must sign. This enrols you as a pistol shooter with PNZ signals the start of your 6 month pistol probationary period. PNZ fee is $65.
• This form will be sent to PNZ who will then register you as a TYRO (trainee).
• You must then complete 12 shoots and the training program at the club during the 6 months.
• You must also  sit and pass the Club Safety Examination
• You must also sit and pass the Club RO examination
• You will also be required to participate in at least 6 service Pistol matches during your probationary period and demonstrate competency and safety in some IPSC courses of fire as well..
• At some stage during your training, your Training Officer may approve you purchasing a pistol of your choice. This can only be done with the approval of the club President or Secrtary. In these cases the pistol must go onto the license of club training officer.
• In addition, you will be advised when you are ready to participate in a HOLSTER course which if passed qualifies you to shot from a holster.
• Members must not approach other clubs to sit this qualification without the permission of the Training and safety Officer.
• When you have completed your 6 months probation, attended at least 12 shots and demonstrated competency and safety, you can apply to the management Committee for your B License.
• The club President or Secretary will then sign off your training but only if they are satisfied you meet the standards required.
• You may then visit your local firearms officer and obtain a form POL67f, Application for B Endorsement   and complete it.
• The form should then be submitted to the Committee through the club secretary for approval.
• Once approved it is sent to Pistol NZ for processing.
• You can then expect the Police to visit you to inspect your security measures.
• Then around 4 weeks later your B licence should arrive in the mail.

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  Club policy upon RO’s

   

  Rifle & Shotgun shooting only

   

• Any group of 2 or more shooters may conduct a shooting activity on WPC ranges as long as one person is acting as *Range Officer” (R/O) in accordance with the SRO and Police manual.

• The *R/O may exercise the option to shoot with the others in the shooting detail subject to the following conditions;

  • There will be no more than 4 shooters involved in the activity

  • He (or She) has personal knowledge of the ability and experience of the other shooters to the point that, in his (or her) judgement, there is little or no risk of a negative event as a result of actions by the other shooters, and

  • Should such an event occur he or she is confident of the shooters ability to act appropriately until he (or she) as *R/O takes full control of the situation.

• Where more than four shooters are engaged in any shooting activity on any of the WPC ranges, then a NON shooting RO must assume control of the range. This duty may be rotated every 10-15 minutes to enable everyone present to have a turn at shooting

• Where there are less than 4 shooters, any one of them may insist that the RO be NON shooting where they have any concerns what-so-ever about safety or range rules.

•             Pistol Shooting

   

• Where two or more shooters are engaged in shooting pistols, then one shooter MUST become a NON shooting RO. The RO duty can be rotated to enable all shooters to get a shoot.

• This is mandatory, no exceptions.

   

  General Notes;

• Any person acting as a Range Officer on a WPC range shall (unless undergoing training for that activity) have attended a safety Refresher course run by the WPC

• Any shooter in a detail under the control of a ‘shooting’ range officer can request a non-shooting R/O where he/she has ANYsafety concerns.

• The role of *R/O can be rotated among those present on the range as long as they are qualified to act as R/O’s.

 

 

Summary

 

Shooting is a sport that can last a lifetime and the level at which you participate is your decision. You can learn how to shoot firearms safely and expertly. You will make many friends and can develop much knowledge.

It’s all up to you.

 

Our rules are not onerous, but they are there for very good reasons.

 

• Any person failing to comply with these rules will be immediately suspended from the range and the matter shall be referred to the Committee for further action.

Needless to say failure to follow these rules places your membership in jeopardy.