Restricted Firearms, Accessories & Techniques at the English Pit Shooting Range

Shooting Range rules are tailored to each individual range with little to no regard whether or not a particular firearm, ammunition type, method of fire is deemed legal by any local, state or federal entity. Range Rules are created to ensure safe operation of the range as the range was initially designed. As new types of firearms, ammunition types and method of fire are introduced over time each range operator must determine whether or not the new firearms, ammunition types and method of fire are able to be used at the existing facility without modifying the facility to accommodate the new firearms, ammunition types and method of fire.

It is our responsibility to ensure the range remains safe for both users of the range and its neighbors. Our range rules, which are specific to the public English Pit Shooting Range not only describes acceptable behaviors but also restricts the use of certain firearms, accessories and techniques that we feel we cannot safely accommodate as the range is currently constructed and located. We understand that the following may be deemed legal, but, our premise is that the range, in its current location and configuration, does not provide an adequate margin of safety to allow them to be used.

We understand the position of some who would believe the following are perfectly safe, that they should be allowed to use them and that we are unreasonable for not allowing them to do so. To them we will say that we are responsible for the safe operations of this shooting range and are managing the risks at the existing facility.

We are considering these new types of firearms, ammunition types and methods of fire as we design a new public range to which the existing English Pit Shooting Range will eventually relocate. This is not to say, suggest or infer that all or any of the following will be allowed at the new range - some will likely not be allowed at the replacement range (sorry Rambo).

The following restrictions of use or outright ban apply to the English Pit Shooting Range

Firing From The Hip
OK, face it, you are not Rambo. You do not have a fully automatic belt fed rifle being used at our range. Neither, are you allowed to fire any firearm (handgun, rifle or shotgun) from the hip. The exception to this is if you are part of a training session that has been scheduled (by the instructor through the range) AND is being held on a PRIVATE RESERVED RANGE.

Drawing From A Holster Or Concealment
While you may be skilled at drawing from a holster or from concealment, others on the range may not be. To reduce the risk of an accident by those less experienced, we DO NOT allow practicing drawing a firearm from a holster or from concealment. The exception to this is if you are part of a training session that has been scheduled (by the instructor through the range) AND its being held on a PRIVATE RESERVED RANGE.

Short Barreled Rifles (SBR)
In 2014, Washington State Firearms laws were amended to allow the ownership, possession and use of Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs). While they are now legal, we consider the risk of someone failing to placing the bullet on target and overshooting the primary and secondary impact berms too great of risk to allow SBR's to be fired onto the standard 50 or 100 yard rifle ranges.

EXCEPTIONS
(1) SBR's are allowed to be fired onto the 10 & 20 yard handgun ranges ONLY if no other people are using those ranges (the amount of noise created by these are extremely punishing to others who are alongside the person firing).

(2) If a commercially manufactured suppressor is installed on the SBR it may be fired on the 10 & 20 yard handgun ranges even if there are others on the handgun range.

(3) If a commercially manufactured suppressor is installed on the SBR that causes the equivalent barrel length to meet or exceed 16" in length it may be fired on the 50 & 100 yard rifle ranges so long as the suppressor remains installed.

Rifles With Folding Stocks
Any rifle with a folding stock must have the stock fully open and locked before being shot. The rifle stock must be firmly placed against the shooter's should to fire.

This can be seen as a confusing restriction where the firearm itself is not necessarily banned, just HOW it is fired. The technique is banned.

'Bump Firing' & Trigger Accessories
We do not allow rapid fire at this range other than during a formal class. Any accessory designed to aid in rapid fire are in direct conflict with this prime range rule. These devices include motorized or other mechanical devices designed to rapidly engage the trigger, 'slide' or 'bump-fire' stocks that use recoil to rapidly fire (such as the SSAR-15 manufactured by Slide Fire Solutions'), etc.

Rifles With Wrist Braces
Any firearm equipped with a wrist brace that allows the weapon to be strapped to the arm or forearm and fired from that position instead of it being fired with the stock firmly held against the shoulder is without exception not allowed.

AK-47, SKS & AR-15 Pistols
We do not allow the firing of pistols onto the 50 or 100 yard ranges from the established firing lines.

EXCEPTIONS
(1) AK-47, SKS & AR-15 Pistols are allowed to be fired onto the 10 & 20 yard handgun ranges ONLY if no other people are using those ranges (the amount of noise created by these are extremely punishing to others who are alongside the person firing) AND they are NOT fired from the hip.

(2) If a commercially manufactured suppressor is installed on the AK-47, SKS & AR-15 Pistols it may be fired on the 10 & 20 yard handgun ranges even if there are others on the handgun range BUT they are NOT allowed to be fired from the hip.

50 BMG
Because of the amount of noise created when firing a 50 BMG we do not allow their use at our range.

Class III Fully Automatic Firearms
Fully Automatic Firearms are not legal to be used in Washington State by the general citizenry. Fully Automatic Firearms in their entirety are not allowed.