JROTC Rifle Safety Study

Vocabulary flashcards covering key safety terms, gun parts, and range procedures from the Air Rifle Safety & Range Procedures notes.

Muzzle

Front end of the rifle; the muzzle must be pointed in a safe direction at all times (usually upward or downrange).

Action

The mechanism that loads, cocks, and unloads the rifle; the action is kept open or closed as required to ensure safety.

Trigger

The lever that releases the firing mechanism; keep your finger off the trigger until you are aiming at a target.

M-A-T

Mnemonic for the three primary gun parts affecting safety: Muzzle, Action, and Trigger.

CBI (Clear Barrel Indicator)

Device that confirms the rifle is unloaded; must be in the rifle except during preparation and firing, and reinserted after firing.

Unloaded Rifle

Rifle with the action open, no pellet in the barrel, and CBI inserted.

Grounded Rifle

Rifle placed on the floor or bench, unloaded with CBI inserted.

Open Action

State where the action is open to loading or unloading; prevents firing and is visually verified.

Muzzle Control

Rule to control the direction the muzzle points; never point at a person; carry with muzzle above head level.

Rule 2 – Action Open

Keep the gun’s action open except when firing; verify open and that CBI is inserted.

Rule 3 – Finger Off Trigger

Keep fingers outside the trigger guard until aiming at the target.

Dry Firing

Cocking and releasing the trigger without charging the gas system; allowed only on designated points and with RO authorization; some rifles cannot be dry fired.

LOAD Command

Range command to charge the gas mech, insert a pellet, and close the action—not yet allowed to shoot.

START Command

Range command to begin or continue firing.

STOP Command

Range command to immediately stop firing; keep finger off the trigger.

UNLOAD Command

Range command to open the action and ground the rifle; RO confirms unloaded condition.

Pellet

Lead projectile used in air rifles; loaded with the skirt oriented to the rear when loading.

Lead Toxicity

Lead is toxic; wash hands after handling pellets; no food or drink on the range.

Safety Glasses

Eye protection; recommended for air rifle firing (required in some programs).

4.5mm/.177 Caliber

Standard target air rifles; velocity limited to 600 fps or less.

PDC (Pellet Discharge Container)

Container/backstop for pellet discharge; used to collect pellets after firing.

Range Officer (RO)

Adult in charge of the range; ensures safety rules are followed and procedures are correct.

Ready Line

Line for shooters waiting to fire; spectators must remain behind this line.

Firing Line

Line at which shooting occurs; no part of the body may touch the line or the floor ahead.

Target Holder/Backstop

Equipment at each firing point to hold targets and serve as a backstop for pellets.

Safe Loading Procedure

Procedure: open action, charge air, insert pellet (skirt to rear), close action, prepare to fire.

Pellet Handling Hygiene

Lead handling safety: wash hands after handling pellets; no food on range; avoid contamination.