Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford                                                 1407 North Hixville Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747                                              (508) 998-2555

General Range Rules

  1. All members must wear their valid club button on their person whenever on club property or have a valid membership card on their person.
  2. Only members and their guests are allowed to use club facilities.  Each member is allowed to bring one guest at a time to use club facilities.  The same guest is allowed to come with a member three times per year.  The member is totally responsible for his or her guest's actions.
  3. Wife, husband and children under 18 years of age may come with the member throughout the year.  The member is responsible for his or her relative's actions.
  4. Members may camp overnight on club property in designated areas - must notify Camping Committee in advance.  Any campfires must be in complete control at all times.
  5. In season, members with a valid Massachusetts fishing license may fish on club ponds.  These ponds are open to the general public.  You must follow all Department of Fisheries and Wildlife regulations.
  6. When a member uses club property, he or she is expected to keep the area he or she uses clean.  Don't be a litter bug - THIS MEANS YOU.
  7. This club is maintained, controlled and regulated for your pleasure and safety.  You have been given the privilege of using its facilities and it is your responsibility not only to abide by its rules and regulations, but also to ensue that others abide by them in your presence.
  8. Children under 16 years of age are not allowed to wander about unless accompanied by an adult.
  9. Notice is hereby given that the Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford, Inc., as a club, assumes no responsibility for any accident occurring on club property, and the Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford, Inc. is held harmless from any and all claims for injuries or damages.  Members and their guests use club property at their own risk.  Any accident occurring on club property must be reported to a club officer at once.  Please follow the Emergency Plan posted at the clubhouse.
  10. Any member or guest who uses conduct unbecoming of a member of the club, causes injury, endangers others or commits any negligent act is subject to review by the Board of Directors.  Their decision will be final.
  11. No shooting before 9am or after sunset on club property, except as designated.  Sunset times vary daily.  It is your responsibility to know when the sun sets.  (View Sunset times on Home Page of club website). 
  12. Common sense if your best judgment; when in doubt, don't do it.
  13. The main range road gate is operated by an electronic key card, which is given to all members (except Junior members) after orientation is completed.  It is prohibited for members to loan their key card to anyone at any time.  All members must scan their badge on entry and to exit the range.  In other words, no "piggy-backing": allowing others to follow through the gate could cause vehicle damage / unauthorized range use.
  14. The use of eye and ear protection is REQUIRED by all persons on the range, spectators included.
  15. All firearms, when not in use, are to be cased or holstered and unloaded, or have the action open and unloaded.
  16. Firearms are not to be loaded until the range is clear for firing.
  17. Keep finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard until ready to fire.
  18. Never turn around while you have a firearm in your hands.  Always keep them pointed down range.
  19. Never handle a firearm without first making sure it is unloaded.  Do not handle firearms while behind the firing line.
  20. Never, in the case of a misfire, open the breech mechanism of any firearm for at least 15 seconds.  Keep it pointed down range - it may be a hang fire.
  21. Members and guests MUST ensure bullets impact the back berms.  Any willful shot not impacting the berm is considered a negligent shot and subject to review per rule #10.
  22. Shooting at rocks and bottles on the range is prohibited.  Only aimed fire at proper targets is allowed.
  23. Using bowling pins as targets is prohibited.
  24. Before proceeding down range to inspect targets, the shooter must call out 'All Clear'.  Any shooter who has a loaded firearm must reply 'Not Clear'.  Only when there are no loaded firearms on the firing line may a person go down range to check, replace or put up a new target.
  25. ABSOLUTELY NO HANDLING OR TOUCHING OF FIREARMS WHILE PEOPLE ARE DOWN RANGE.  VIOLATIONS SUBJECT TO REVIEW PER RULE #10.
  26. The use of illegal firearms on the shooting range is prohibited.
  27. Tracers, incendiary ammunition, explosive devices and explosive targets are strictly prohibited.
  28. It is prohibited to bring intoxicating beverages of any kind on the range or to be under the influence of liquor while using the range.
  29. It is prohibited to use the range while under the influence of mind-influencing drugs.
  30. Children under 18 years of age may not use the range except when with an adult member.
  31. All firearms are dangerous when handled carelessly - they cannot think for themselves.  Any mistake is your mistake, not the firearms.  Regard the firearm as loaded at all times, taking nothing for granted, look for yourself, and above all, keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.
  32. Clean the area you used, including spent bullet casings.  Dispose of trash in the trash barrels and brass in the "brass" buckets.
  33. Common sense is your best judgment, when in doubt, don't do it.
  34. Black Powder
    1. No direct charging of muzzleloaders from flasks or horns
    2. No smoking when near black powder
    3. The cap must not be put on, the pan primed, or the cartridge put in the chamber before the shooter gets himself/herself ready to fire; and in doing so he/she must point the muzzle down range.