Millions of law abiding citizens enjoy recreational shooting. Many own firearms for personal defense, hunting, collecting, and
competition. Both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges provide a safe controlled environment to practice, compete with and learn
about firearms. As with any activity we engage in, there is a certain amount of risk associated with discharging a firearm on
a shooting range. One of my jobs as a health and safety specialist is to assist range operators in assessing and managing that
risk.
Historically, shooting ranges have been and continue to be very safe. As a matter of fact there is a much higher
probability of an individual being injured driving to a shooting range than being injured as a result of shooting on a shooting range.
However, there are occasions when undesirable consequences result from range use.
Bullet escapement, which may result in injury
or property damage off the range, injury or property damage on the range and serious illness caused by overexposure to range contaminants
are all undesirable and avoidable with proper education, risk assessment, and risk management.
There have also be cases of shooting
ranges closed due to real or sometimes perceived environmental hazards. These cases are also very avoidable with proper attention
to environmental issues and understanding regulations.
Understanding Safety & Health Issues