SO YOU WANNA BECOME A RED MOUNTAIN RENEGADE HUH?

The following is based on ensuring maximum Safety and Fun. We believe that if everyone is aware of the safety rules, it increases the Fun. Shooters should possess the knowledge, skill, and attitude essential to ensure safety at all SASS and Cowboy Action Shooting events including practice. 

A prospective shooter of RMR will commit to attending three monthly shoots (consecutive is preferred) under the supervision of an approved mentor. (a list of RMR Approved Mentors can be obtained from the Cowboy Chair) The prospective shooter will be required to wear a yellow arm band during this time.

If the mentor or prospective shooter feels it necessary, the mentor may accompany the prospective shooter to the shooting line and be the Timer Operator (TO) for the prospective shooter. 

The shooter and mentor will be focused on the following items. 

Loading:

• Knowledge of loading and unloading of firearms safely
• No dry firing
• No rounds under the hammer in any firearm
• Hammer down on an empty chamber
• Once the firearms are loaded, they MUST be checked by the mentor or loading officer 
• DOES NOT leave the loading area with loaded firearms unless called to the Shooting Line by the TO.
• Once called to the Shooting Line, pistols are holstered and long guns are carried safely with the muzzles pointed vertically so there is no chance of the long guns sweeping anyone.

At the shooting line:

• Listens to the instructions of the Timer Operator (TO), asks for clarification if needed
• Places the firearms safely wherever the scenarios indicate, always keeping muzzles pointed either vertically or down range
• Always uses the firearms in a safe manner
• Draw the pistols in a safe manner, extra care needs to be taken if the member is using the cross-draw method. Shooting ‘gunfighter’ style may not be used until the shooter wishing to shoot gunfighter style obtains separate coaching to make sure they can draw and fire the firearms safely. (a list of RMR Approved Gunfighter Mentors can be obtained from the Cowboy Chair)
• If the shooter has gun problems, they should know how to clear the affected firearm safely or call the firearm ‘dead’ and place it in the appropriate area safely. 
• Once the shooting string is complete, ensure the shooter safely picks up their firearms and safely carries them to the unloading area

At the unloading area:

• ·Safely unloads all firearms
•  Does not leave the unloading area until all firearms are deemed safe (empty) by the mentor, unloading officer 
• Carries the firearms safely to the rifle rack or to a cart. 

Other 

• Shows willingness to learn and listen
• Exemplifies good sportsmanship ‘Spirit of the Game’
• Has read the SASS Shooter Range Officer Level 1 Handbook

After successfully completing three monthly shoots, the mentor will make recommendations to the Cowboy Chair indicating if the shooter shows proficiency in safely using firearms and is familiar with safety rules. Once the mentoring is successfully completed, the shooter will receive a MDRGC sticker which will enable them to access the Cowboy range during normal club range hours.

After successfully completing the mentoring process and attending 3 monthly shoots, the shooter will be eligible to compete in major matches.

Once the shooter has successfully completed the SASS RO1 course, the shooter will get keys to the wooden shed and target box.* This ensures that the shooter can safely set the targets for practice and shoots. 

*If the shooter has already successfully completed the RO1 course, the shooter must still be mentored as it is one thing to know the rules it is another to actually handle firearms safely especially when drawing pistols from a holster. The length of mentoring time may be flexible depending on the proficiency of the shooter. 

RMR Approved Mentors and Gunfighter Mentors: contact the Cowboy Action Chair for the most recent list