What Commands are Used on the Range?

In addition to range safety rules, you should be familiar with the commands used on the firing range. Whenever you visit a new range, always communicate with the range personnel and ask for direction on their specific range procedures.

Some of the commands you will hear from our instructors:

RANGE IS CLEAR – Before and after each shooting sequence during student training, two sets of instructors will issue three loud confirmations.

  • CLEAR RIGHT – indicates an instructor has verified the right side of the range is clear of bystanders and that all is safe. This will be verified by the other instructor or RSO.
  • CLEAR LEFT – indicates an instructor has verified the left side of the range is clear of bystanders and that all is safe. This will be verified by the other instructor or RSO.
  • RANGE IS CLEAR – The Chief Instructor or RSO will issue this statement to notify the instructor on the firing line that the range is clear and he can readily engage his students.

LOAD – On the load command, students standing ON THE FIRING LINE may load their pistols. This command authorizes students to load only – nothing else. All fingers must remain off the triggers.

COMMENCE FIRING – When this command is given, students may begin firing when ready.

CEASE FIRE – When the cease fire command is given ALL shooting must stop IMMEDIATELY. Even a shooter in the process of squeezing the trigger must stop, remove his or her finger from the trigger while keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and wait for further instructions from the Range Officer. The Cease Fire command could include follow-up instructions such as:

  • UNLOAD
  • CYLINDERS OPEN
  • MAGAZINES OUT
  • SLIDES BACK
  • GUNS ON THE BENCH

CEASE FIRE IS THE ONLY COMMAND THAT CAN BE GIVEN BY ANYONE ON THE RANGE. IF ANYONE, WHETHER STUDENT OR INSTRUCTOR, SEES A DANGEROUS SITUATION DEVELOPING, THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY AND CLEARLY CALL A CEASE FIRE!

Posted in: Range Rules