Editing Gun safety (section)

==Shooting range management==
{{Main|Shooting ranges}}

'''Shooting ranges''' augment physical design features with supervisory measures to ensure safe operation. In addition to generic gun safety rules, local rules or "Range Standing Orders" may be implemented to address specific features of a range.

Ranges will typically be operated under the command of a "Range Conducting Officer" (RCO or RO) or "Range Safety Officer" (RSO) who issues start and stop commands and checks that firearms are clear before being removed from the firing point, or before participants go forward to change targets. At competitions, the RCO may have a secondary responsibility of enforcing rules and fair play.

===Safety flags===
'''Safety flags''' or '''breech flags''' are commonly mandated on shooting ranges to demonstrate that the firearm's bolt or action is open and no round is chambered. For firearms with magazines, the flag may also indicate that the magazine well is clear. Most competition rules mandate the usage of flags whenever a firearm is not directly in use.<ref name="ISSF-flags">{{cite web |title=ISSF - Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations |url=https://www.issf-sports.org/getfile.aspx?mod=docf&pane=1&inst=455&file=ISSF_Rule_Book_2023_Approved_Version.pdf |publisher=[[International Shooting Sport Federation]] |access-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227211527/https://www.issf-sports.org/getfile.aspx?mod=docf&pane=1&inst=455&file=ISSF_Rule_Book_2023_Approved_Version.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2024 |pages=182–183 |language=en |date=1 January 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=RULES AND REGULATIONS for the conduct of SMALL-BORE AND AIR RIFLE, SMALL-BORE AND AIR PISTOL AND CROSSBOW COMPETITIONS |url=https://www.nsra.co.uk/home/downloads/1-reference/82-rules?download=32:rules-and-regulations |publisher=[[National Small-bore Rifle Association]] |access-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626193237/https://www.nsra.co.uk/home/downloads/1-reference/82-rules?download=32:rules-and-regulations |archive-date=26 June 2024 |language=en-gb |date=1 April 2023 |quote=1.9.3.1.4 In addition the bolt or action of a rifle or pistol must be open and the chamber entrance either open to view or have a breech flag inserted. |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''Safety lines''' or '''clear barrel indicators''' are mandated for air rifles and air pistols under [[ISSF World Shooting Championships|ISSF]] rules.<ref name="ISSF-flags"/> Safety lines typically consist of a nylon cord which shows the action is open and that no pellet is present in the breech or barrel.

In clay pigeon shooting, break-barrel shotguns are typically carried in a "broken" state to show that they cannot be fired. Semi-automatic shotguns are typically required to use a breech flag.<ref name="ISSF-flags"/><ref>{{cite web |title=INTERNATIONAL SPORTING RULES - Chapter 8 - Rules of conduct / Safety |url=https://www.fitasc.com/upload/files/Rglts_PCH_01012013_ENG.pdf |website=fitasc.com |publisher=[[Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse]] |access-date=2 July 2024 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160126114957/https://www.fitasc.com/upload/files/Rglts_PCH_01012013_ENG.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2016 |pages=12–13 |language=en |date=1 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed>
Grunig & Elmiger Racer 3 with breech flag.jpg|Rifle with a red breech flag inserted
File:Green Safety flag.jpg|Safety line inserted in a Steyr Evo 10
File:1LT Amber English wins gold in skeet at 2020 Summer Olympic Games (51347892087).jpg|Skeet shooter carries a shotgun "broken", indicating it is in a safe state
</gallery>

===Safety areas===
In [[practical shooting]] sports, a '''safety area''' or '''safety zone''' is a bay where competitors can handle unloaded firearms without the supervision of a [[shooting range|Range Officer]] (RO).<ref>{{cite web |title=IPSC Safety and Orientation |url=https://www.ipsc.org/safety-and-orientation/ |publisher=International Practical Shooting Confederation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406112115/https://www.ipsc.org/safety-and-orientation/ |archive-date=6 April 2024 |language=en-us |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2024 }}</ref> Safety areas are used in dynamic shooting sport disciplines such as [[International Practical Shooting Confederation|IPSC]],<ref>[http://www.ipsc.org/pdf/RulesCombined.pdf IPSC 2015 Combined Rules, Rule Section 2.4 Safety Areas]</ref> [[Precision Pistol Competition|PPC 1500]] and [[Steel Challenge]],<ref>[https://dssn.no/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Regler-Steel-challenge.pdf Nordic Steel Challenge Rule Book - April 2019 Edition]</ref><ref>[https://albertonsportsshootingclub.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Intro2PS1.pdf Intro to Pistol Shooting - Safe Shooting - Techniques and the Requirements for a "B" Endorsement]</ref> where the lack of a fixed firing point (where firearms would be unboxed in most target disciplines), necessitates provision of a safe location for firearms to be unboxed and holstered before a competitor starts a stage. They may be used to pack, unpack or [[handgun holster|holster]] a gun,<ref>[Vidar Nakling (1993, Myopics) - Praktisk pistolskyting - slik blir du bedre, 4th Edition, p. 154 {{ISBN|82-993331-0-5}}]</ref> cleaning or repair,<ref>{{cite web |title=USPSA Competition: Speed, Power And Accuracy |url=https://www.ssusa.org/content/uspsa-competition-speed-power-and-accuracy/ |website=Shooting Sports USA |access-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620165633/https://www.ssusa.org/content/uspsa-competition-speed-power-and-accuracy/ |archive-date=20 June 2024 |language=en-us |date=29 April 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[dry fire|dry firing]] and training with empty magazines.<ref>{{cite web |title=Safety Area, Boxing/Un-boxing |url=https://ipsc-online.com/en/chapitre/safety-area-boxing-un-boxing/ |publisher=International Practical Shooting Association |access-date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618153104/https://ipsc-online.com/en/chapitre/safety-area-boxing-un-boxing/ |archive-date=18 June 2024 |language=en-US |date=3 June 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://enps.us/match-info/match-safety-procedures Eastern Nebraska Practical Shooters > Match Info > Match Safety Procedures]</ref>