Friday Night Steel is intended to be a safe, fun and relaxing way to spend your Friday evening. This competition is in its 10th year now and has been growing in popularity every year. Anything that detracts from our goal of having fun in a safe, organized, manner is discouraged. To this end, we have summarized the range rules as follows. For questions or clarifications please contact a committee member or the Match Director.

Basic Range Rules

• We will not tolerate stealing, cheating, fighting, arguing with range officers, unsportsmanlike conduct and unsafe or unruly behavior. No one present during the shooting event may be under the influence of alcohol or other mind altering substances. Depending on review of the individual situation by the FNS Committee, this could result in the individual(s) being disqualified from the match and/or possible barring from all future Friday Night Steel events.

• Eye and ear protection will ALWAYS be worn by ANYONE who enters the range area. There will be no exceptions to this. The committee will attempt to have spare eye and ear protection available for shooters who forgot theirs or for visitors or observers in the range area.

• We operate a cold range at all times. This means that no loaded firearms are permitted anywhere on the range until it is your turn to shoot and you are under the direction of a timer/safety officer. When you are not shooting your firearms must be unloaded and either holstered or in a container.

• No one, even though licensed by the State, may carry a concealed firearm at the range. This is a FSA club rule.

• Any competitors activities determined to be unsafe will result in a match disqualification. The most important rule being to keep the muzzle pointed downrange at all times, no exceptions. Also, handling of firearms is restricted to the firing point and designated "Safe Handling" areas. Magazines, ammunition, and accessories can be handled at any time or place.

• No person except the shooter, RO/timer and scorer will position themselves in front of the designated yellow safety line when the range is active, unless the entire shooting bay is completely cold (no competitor at the line and no firearms at the table).

• When starting from the table, single or double action auto pistols may start in the cocked position with the safety/decocker disengaged and finger off of the trigger. Revolvers must start with the hammer down. If drawing from a holster, single action autos must have the safety engaged or the hammer down on a double action auto. When drawing from a holster hands must be either hanging naturally at sides or wrists positioned above shoulders. No part of the hands can be touching the gun at the "start" when drawing from a holster. If the competitor 'jumps the gun' anytime between the standby call and the buzzer, a 10 second procedural will be assessed.

• The competitor must finish the course with the gun he/she starts with. If there is a mechanical failure then the competitor can try to fix it and continue shooting, if the gun cannot be fixed then the shooter must take a DNF (did not finish) for the remaining runs. If no shot is fired in a run and the gun fails to fire for any reason the timer is allowed offer the shooter a "re-start". However, once a shot is fired on a string no re-start can be given, and the shooter must take "misses" for the lost targets. The decision of the attending RO/timer officer is final.

Timers and Scorers

• Only experienced shooters that have read and understand the range rules and commands and have been authorized by the FNS Committee will act as RO/timers. Under no circumstances is a new shooter or novice shooter operate a timer unless authorized by, or under the direct supervision, of a qualified RO/timer. New or unapproved shooters may act as scorekeepers (writers). It is also the job of the scorekeeper to notify the next shooter in line to "get ready" in order to avoid delays. Scorekeeping will allow newer shooters to participate in the timing and scoring process so they can gain the needed experience. When conducting timing or scorekeeping the individuals must concentrate on the job at hand and avoid distracting conversation or activities. The timer will give commands according to the FNS range rules available from the Match Director. Any deliberate or persistent variation from these commands will result in the timer losing his/her RO/timer privileges.

Accidental Discharges

• An accidental discharge (or AD) is a serious violation and is defined as the discharge of a firearm before the timer is activated, and/or placing a shot below the top of the railroad ties or above the earthen backstop. A person having an AD will be automatically disqualified from shooting for that match and the situation will be reviewed by the committee. If a holster is being used, the safety (if the firearm has a safety) will be engaged before the firearm is holstered and re-holstered.

New Shooters

• Adult shooters that haven't fired in an FNS event previously will have to be approved before competing. This will consist of first obtaining a briefing from the Match Director or a Committee Member, and then demonstrating their understanding of range commands at a practice target under supervision of an RO. Once this is successfully done the RO may "sign them off". This is done by writing "new shooter" on their scorecard and the RO initialing it. If a shooter is a known experienced pistol competitor this requirement may be waived by the match director or designee on a case by case basis.

Young Shooters

• Due to safety concerns, children below the age of 13 will generally not be allowed to shoot in the competition. Young shooters between the ages of 13 and 18 will be identified as "Junior Shooters" on their scorecard and must demonstrate their gun handling skills to a Committee Member and be "signed off" before they can compete in an FNS event. Junior shooters must be in the direct presence of a parent or guardian during the event.

Illness or Injury

• Any injuries (due to firearms or otherwise) to competitors or observers that are experienced on the range or illness (such as heat related injuries) must be reported to the Match Director or a Committee Member immediately. We have first aid supplies and hydration therapy available at all times. We will have an air conditioned room available adjacent to the range if needed.

Brass Collection

• We are working on a brass recovery system for the firing points that will allow shooters to recover their spent brass quickly and easily. In the meantime recovery of a shooterÕs brass can be done when the range is inactive (no shooters on the line). The shooter is to recover only the brass he/she has fired or equivalent. No wholesale brass collection will be allowed unless authorized by a committee member. Unclaimed brass is the property of Friday Night Steel.

Handicap Event

• The FNS Committee has decided to not hold the annual Handicap Match in the future at Friday Night Steel. This was done for a variety of reasons including the fact that it made our game too inflexible because of the scoring and statistical requirements, as well as the fact that it deviates from the type of competition we want to foster. We will attempt to hold some "fun events" side matches, and cookouts during the year to keep the game interesting.

These rules are subject to change at the discretion of the FNS committee. It is the responsibility of all participants to be aware of all current rules.