Members & visitors

Member Handbook & Code of Conduct

Version 1 — updated July 21, 2026

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Milverton & District Rod & Gun Club — Member Handbook

Revision 1.0, April 2024

Welcome

We pride ourselves on our facility and our safety records. This handbook is designed to allow any member or participant to fully enjoy our facilities and to feel safe while participating in the various firearm activities.

Firearm Ranges in Ontario are monitored and inspected by the Chief Firearms Office of Canada, and minor infractions can jeopardize our ability to participate in our activities. We must also maintain a good relationship with our community to continue to enjoy our facilities.

The intent of this manual is to provide the information you need to familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations of our facility, the Firearms Office of Ontario, the Canadian Sport Shooting Association, and other regulating bodies — and to keep you, others, and our facilities in the safest possible condition.

This manual and its rules, regulations, and codes of conduct apply to all members, visitors, and guests.

Emergency Information

In the event of an emergency call 911 and provide the following information:

Location: Milverton & District Rod & Gun Club, 4660 Line 61, Milverton, ON, N0K 1M0. Specify your location on the property.

Facilities Emergency Contact: milvertonrodngun@yahoo.ca — 519-595-8045

Membership Approval Process

  • All new member applications must be submitted along with annual membership payment and the one-time new member fee to the Board of Directors for approval. Fee amounts are determined at the Annual General Meeting.
  • Members are requested to provide volunteer hours (or pay a non-active volunteer fee) as determined at the Annual General Meeting.
  • All applications will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors before acceptance.
  • Once accepted, the member is probationary; length of probation is determined by the Board of Directors, Range Safety Officer, and/or Range Safety Instructor.
  • A Range Safety Officer and Range Safety Instructor (or two Range Safety Officers) must sign off on the probationary member's competency before full membership privileges are authorised.
  • Probationary members caught using the facilities without proper authorization may have their membership revoked by the Board of Directors with no compensation.

Code of Conduct

The code of conduct ensures a safe, friendly, and respectful place for members, visitors, guests, and staff. Members and their guests are expected to behave in a manner that does not contravene any laws, club bylaws, club rules, range rules, or policies. Those who fail to comply may face expulsion, temporary or permanent loss of membership, and possible legal action.

  1. All members shall conduct themselves in a manner that is not injurious or detrimental to the interests, congeniality, or good order of the Club.
  2. All members must at all times be respectful towards the Club's members, volunteers, directors, and staff.
  3. A member is responsible for the conduct of their guests at all times.
  4. Conduct that is injurious or detrimental to the Club includes, but is not limited to:
    • Unsafe action(s) including unsafe firearm handling;
    • Financial delinquency in payment for services within the Club;
    • Cheating during a competition;
    • Overt use of foul language in a common area;
    • Aggressive, abusive, or unnecessarily loud communication with fellow members, guests, visitors, or staff;
    • Threats of harm or violence, acts of violence, or attempted acts of violence;
    • Harassment of any kind, including criminal harassment, bullying, or sexual harassment;
    • Lewd or inappropriate behaviour;
    • Inappropriate use of Club property including reckless operation of club equipment;
    • Parking in non-designated (or reserved / handicapped) spots without proper validation.

Executive members, directors, and members should always be professional and ethical in their actions when conducting club business. Nepotism should be avoided to maintain a diverse climate on the board.

To report a code infraction, submit a detailed letter or email to the club Secretary. (Enacted 2019-10-09)

General Club Rules

  • A probationary member may only use the firearm ranges while an approved Range Safety Officer or Range Safety Trainer is present.
  • A Director, Range Safety Officer, or Range Safety Instructor may temporarily revoke a member's range privileges until a review by the Board of Directors.
  • Never allow horseplay, careless handling of firearms, or any other distraction while shooting is in progress.
  • Before a member may use any range they must be authorized and approved by a Range Safety Instructor or Range Safety Officer.
  • Members must wear suitable eye protection and hearing protection.
  • Range Rules must be followed as listed in this handbook and as posted at the specific range location.
  • Members must always maintain a safe muzzle direction.
  • Misfire cartridges must be placed in approved storage containers.
  • The Range Officer controls entrance and exit from the range areas while the firing line is active.
  • No one shall enter or exit a live range (RED flag or RED light) without prior Range Officer permission.

PROVE — before handling any firearm:

  • P — Point the firearm in the safest direction
  • R — Remove all cartridges
  • O — Observe the chamber(s) or cylinder
  • V — Verify the feed path
  • E — Examine the bore

Indoor Range Rules

  • Range is available for use 24 hours a day.
  • Range exterior doors are to remain closed while the range is in use.
  • On a "CEASE FIRE" command: maintain muzzle control, unload your firearm, perform ACTS & PROVE, place the firearm on the bench/table with muzzle pointed downrange, action open, and magazine removed. Magazine placed on the bench.
  • Step back behind the YELLOW line. Do not cross back over the YELLOW line until instructed to do so by the Range Officer.
  • Members are expected to change backstop boards when boards are damaged.
  • Remove all targets, sweep floors, and clean off benches and tables before exiting the range area. Leave it in better condition than you found it.

Outdoor Range Rules

  • The range is only open between 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset, Monday to Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm to 30 minutes before sunset.
  • When a person is forward of the shooting positions (less than the 100-yard position): a RED flag MUST be displayed AND a YELLOW flag MUST be displayed. The Range Officer will control and monitor the firing line and range area at all times.
  • All firearms must be unloaded and safe.
  • All people shall be ahead of the shooting position or at the side of the range away from the shooting stations.
  • Only slugs may be fired from the 100-yard line.
  • Firearms shall not be discharged closer than the 10-yard marker.
  • Firearms shall not be discharged between the 100-yard and 50-yard lines.
  • When the range is GREEN, no persons shall be forward of the RED line (within the Firing Area).
  • On "CEASE FIRE" command: stop firing immediately, maintain muzzle control, step back behind the RED line if up range. If down range, proceed to the side of the range. Do not cross back until instructed to do so by the Range Officer.
  • Absolutely NO TARGETS ON BERM.

Holster Policy

  • Use of a holster is not permitted unless the shooter is approved to do so by the range manager / range committee.

Acknowledgement

Cease fire — Any shooter may call at any time on a firing line. Must be repeated by line shooters when heard and obeyed by all shooters immediately.

Any shooter may call Cease Fire at any time for any reason. If a shooter experiences any malfunction, the Range Officer is to be notified by raising one hand while maintaining safe muzzle control. Once receiving acknowledgement from the Range Officer, the shooter may safely clear the firearm at the shooting bench. If you cannot clear the malfunction at the line, wait for instruction from the Range Officer before moving from the firing line.

Safety Orientation

All members must complete a Safety Orientation with a Range Safety Instructor (theory and practical) before range privileges are granted. This form must be signed by both the member and the safety trainer.