NJROTC Marksmanship Training - Air Rifle Safety (Vocabulary)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, roles, and safety procedures from the NJROTC air rifle safety notes.

Muzzle

Forward end of the barrel where the projectile exits; on a range, the muzzle should be pointed in a safe direction (usually upward or downrange).

Action

The working mechanism of the gun that can be kept open when not firing; must be open with a safety flag inserted when not in use.

Trigger

The lever that releases the firing mechanism; keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire.

Trigger Guard

The protective part around the trigger that helps prevent accidental squeezing.

Safety

A device that blocks the trigger or firing mechanism when engaged to prevent discharge.

Safety Flag

An orange or bright-colored cord used to show the gun’s action is open and unloaded; inserted in the barrel and protrudes from both ends; mandatory on air rifles.

Clear Barrel Indicator (CBI)

A safety indicator (usually a synthetic cord) inserted into the bore so ends protrude; confirms the air rifle is unloaded and mandatory in some competitions.

Grounded Rifle

An unloaded rifle with the action open and a CBI inserted, placed on the firing point and not touched until authorized by the Range Officer.

Range Officer

The person in charge of firing on the range; issues commands and ensures rifles are safe (CBIs and open actions) before and after firing.

Ready Area

Area behind the firing line where competitors wait; not all ranges have one.

Firing Line

The line where shooters stand to fire; range safety procedures apply here.

Firing Point

A dedicated position for each competitor on the firing line.

Target Holder

Device that holds targets; includes a metal plate to catch pellets.

Backstop

A protective barrier (often Kevlar) behind targets to stop pellets.

Pellet

The projectile fired from the air rifle.

Pellet Discharge Container (PDC)

Container used to safely discharge pellets at the backstop or as directed; used in some procedures.

Muzzle-Action-Trigger (MAT)

Mnemonic for the three primary safety focus parts and the order in which to apply safety rules.

Unloaded

State in which there is no pellet in the barrel and the gun is safe to handle (action open, safety flag inserted).

Loaded

State in which there is a pellet in the barrel and the rifle is ready to fire; procedures require unloading after the firing cycle.

Load (range command)

Command that tells competitors to charge their rifles and close the action with a pellet loaded.

Start (range command)

Command that signals competitors may begin aiming and firing; firing continues until finished.

Stop (range command)

Command that ends the firing exercise; all must stop firing and await further instructions.

Unload (range command)

Command to unload rifles after Stop; competitors report to the Range Officer and follow unloading instructions.

Grounding (procedure)

Opening the action, inserting a CBI, and placing the rifle on the firing point; rifles may not be touched until authorized.

Line is Clear

Status indicating all shooters are behind the firing line and the line is prepared for live firing or firing has ended and rifles are grounded.

Downrange

Going forward of the firing line to place or retrieve targets; all rifles must be grounded and cannot be handled while downrange.

Relay

A group of competitors who shoot at the same time.

Emergency Safety Officer

A person who takes action during a safety hazard to ensure everyone’s safety.

Self-Discipline and Focus

The ongoing practice of safe muzzle control, checking for open actions, and keeping fingers out of the trigger guard.

Muzzle Direction

On a range, muzzles should be pointed upward or downrange toward the target; never toward people or behind the line.

Malfunction

A rifle failure to fire or function; stay in position, keep the muzzle downrange, raise a hand for the Range Officer, and follow pellet removal procedures.

Loaded Rifle (post-stop protocol)

A rifle with a pellet in the barrel; after Stop, the pellet must be cleared and the rifle grounded as directed.

PDC (Pellet Discharge Container) usage

Used to safely discharge pellets, often during unloading or malfunction procedures.

Safety Barrier

A clearly marked enclosure around the range to prevent unauthorized access.

Target Holders and Backstop details

Holders have a metal plate to catch pellets; backstop is a Kevlar blanket protecting the area behind targets.

Three Primary Safe Gun Handling Rules

Foundational rules focusing on Muzzle, Action, and Trigger as the keys to safe handling.

Three-Position Air Rifle Competition

A format that uses safety indicators (CBIs/Safety Flags) during a three-position event.

Pellet Removal

If a pellet is in the barrel after firing, it must be cleared following range officer instructions (often with a cleaning rod) before leaving the line.