301 KAR 3:015. Shooting ranges on
Wildlife Management Areas.
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.
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.)
