When women get together in the spirit of building community, wonderful things happen! That spirit of our community is what makes A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League (“AG & AG”) very different. We hope you will share your ideas, successes, failures and everything else that makes you who you are! Anyone with a cheerful and willing attitude to learn as well as a warm attitude when assisting others is welcome. You may or may not need correction, but if someone offers you a suggestion, tip, or technique we ask that it be taken with the understanding it comes from good intentions in the spirit of learning from each other.
The Golden Rule
Historically, the Golden Rule has been quoted as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This philosophy has long been recognized as a motto of integrity and honor and as such, AG & AG has incorporated this motto as a core value of our organization. One of the main goals of AG & AG is to always remain a highly regarded organization. We welcome women from all walks of life and help each achieve her own personal goals. Our ethics are based upon maintaining high standards that will ensure our status as an organization of character.
AG & AG Members & Facilitators
A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League cannot possibly enumerate all the possible scenarios in which you might find yourself, nor can the AG & AG dictate the details of every decision you might make, which is why the Golden Rule is so important. In the event you find yourself unsure about the correct course of action, please consider the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule calls for all AG & AG Facilitators and Members to treat each other as they would like to be treated. Facilitators will lead their chapters in a courteous and professional manner, guided by integrity. This also applies to the way members and event participants treat each other and the leadership of the organization.
Participation
All facilitators, members, and guests who attend AG & AG events are required to sign Participation Waivers. It is important that all participants understand the league’s expectations so that everyone can have a fun and safe time. If you have any questions about these waivers, please talk to your chapter facilitator or an HQ representative.
Firearm Safety
All participants at AG & AG events are expected to demonstrate safe handling of all firearms at all times and follow rules of the host range, as well the AG & AG policy. If you are a new shooter and do not know the safe handling rules, there are many resources available to you on this website, from your facilitator or available online, in a book, or by taking a class.
NRA Guidelines
- ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger till ready to shoot.
- ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
When using or storing a gun, always follow these NRA guidelines:
- Know your target and what is beyond.
- Know how to use the gun safely.
- Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
- Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
- Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
- Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Range Policies
The National Sports Shooting Foundation has a wonderful video on range etiquette. Although it is based in an indoor range, it can also be applied when using outdoor ranges.
Every range will have its own rules and policy for their facility, especially in regards to rapid fire, drawing from the holster, approved targets, and procedures for live fire and cease fire. In the interest in making sure our events are consistently safe and well run, we have an additional set of rules to be followed at our events, regardless of the event or range facility is being used.
Shooting Safely
SAFETY FIRST! Every shooter has the personal responsibility to make sure that each bullet fired impacts safely in a backstop or bullet trap. Every Member has a DUTY to report any safety rule violations or unsafe acts as it applies to the range facility and in consideration of the events taking place.
- Eye and Ear Protection: All Shooters and spectators in the immediate vicinity of the firing line are required to wear eye and hearing protection at all times.
- The Chapter Facilitator or AG & AG safety officer in charge of any scheduled AG & AG event has complete authority over both shooters and spectators that are participating.
FIREARMS SHALL ONLY BE HANDLED ON THE FIRING LINE IN THE LIVE FIRE AREAS. This means DO NOT walk around with a gun in your hand pointing it in unsafe direction, or take your gun out of the case or range bag, regardless if it is unloaded.
- Static Shooting Stations. Firearms should be taken out or put back the range bag only at the firing line. If you are using a loaner gun and a proper carrying case is not provided to you, have a second person witness the gun is unloaded, keep it in slide lock or open cylinder before moving with the gun in your hand. Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Using a Holster. If the event allows you to use holster, you must use a safe table or designated safe area if you need to handle your pistol (example- securing the gun in the range bag when you are don shooting). DO NOT under any circumstance handle the pistol away from the firing line or designated safe area at any time.
- Loading Weapons. NO LOADING OR UNLOADING OF THE FIREARMS ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON THE FIRING LINE. You may load magazines off the firing line if you are sharing a station and are waiting for your next turn.
- Age Requirements. Participants 17 years and younger may participate in AG & AG events only when under the direct supervision of their guardian who shall be responsible for them and keep them behind the firing line and out of danger zones.
- Brass Collection. Unless otherwise stated by the range facility, AG & AG participants have permission to pick up their brass.
Anyone causing damage to any equipment or range facilities shall be personally and monetarily liable for such damage. The club including volunteers, safety officers, administrative staff and the range staff shall not be responsible for personal property or equipment left on the premises. AG & AG Participants are requested to help set up or break down range equipment as needed for the event.
In the event a participant commits a grossly unsafe action with the firearm, that participant will be “DQ’d from the event. To be “DQ’d” means to be disqualified from participating in the event. The participant will be done shooting for the day, but is not required to immediately leave the range. The “DQ’d” participant may stay to observe the remainder of the event. Reasons a participant may be disqualified:
- Repeated inappropriate use of finger on trigger
- Dropping a gun, regardless if it is loaded
- Breaking the 180 rule or repeated unsafe direction of the muzzle
- Negligent discharge under any circumstance
- Any unsafe/negligent activity (horse play)
In the Event Your Gun Malfunctions Guns can malfunction for various reasons. Most common malfunctions happened due to user error and are easy to fix. Other malfunctions that happen with ammo or failure of the firearm may need extra help to clear them. If your gun does malfunction, keep the gun pointed down range at all times while you correct the problem. If you know how to clear the malfunction then do so. If you do not know what to do, simply put the firearm down in a safe direction and call for assistance. Common malfunctions are:
- Misfires/Hang Fires: Wait 30 seconds in case you have a hang fire. If nothing happens and you have a dud round, TAP, RACK, and BANG.
- Fail to Operate: TAP, RACK, and BANG
- Squib Round: If you shoot your gun and a round gets lodged in the barrel, DO NOT FIRE AGAIN. Keep your gun pointed down range and raise your hand so a safety officer can assist you with a squib rod or appropriate tool.
- Any Other Malfunction: Should your gun malfunction and you don’t know what is wrong, keep your gun pointed down range and raise your hand so a safety officer can assist you.
Range Commands There is a language within the shooting industry that is fairly consent and used in the shooting sports, at private and public ranges, and training classes you might attend:
- COLD RANGE: This applies to ranges/events that do not permit you to have a loaded gun in your holster.
- HOT RANGE: This can also apply to a range or event that does permit you to have a loaded gun in your holster.
- GOING HOT: Guns may be loaded on the line and Live Fire is permitted.
- LOAD: put ammo in cylinder for revolvers or put magazine in your gun for semi-autos
- MAKE READY: Close your cylinder for revolvers or chamber a round for semi-autos
- LOW READY: Your gun is loaded, ready to fire, but pointed down range at a lowered position, FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER, in preparation to transition to a shooting position.
- FIRE/SHOOT: Your gun is on target and you shoot when you are ready
- CEASE FIRE: Stop shooting and resume a low ready position.
**ANYONE CAN CALL A CEASE FIRE IF HE/SHE SEES SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SAFE.
Cancellation of Events
If an AG & AG event is cancelled for any reason, we will make every effort to notify our membership as soon as possible via email and/or social media. Local matches and other events that are not sponsored AG & AG: we are not responsible for planning, promotion, fees and communication regarding events that are hosted by other clubs, ranges, instructors etc. You are responsible for signing up for email/newsletter/social media communications from the hosting party to be notified of cancellation or changes to the event. However, we will do our best to relay all necessary information as we receive it.
Membership
You may participate at 1-2 AG & AG events as a guest, but we encourage you to officially register as a member! In most cases, members pay lower range fees and receive discounts from reputable vendors on range equipment and ammunition. Members also will receive personalized name tags to identify members and help everyone learn names and build our community. You can learn more about membership benefits and opportunities here: Become a Member! Thank you for participating in AG & AG events and we hope that you will join us at many events in the future!
