Note to Members: This is a major revision of the club policies, procedures and rules. Accordingly, individual changes were not highlighted. You are encouraged to take the time to read the entire booklet.

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization shall be The Newport Rifle Club Incorporated.

ARTICLE II, Object (Revised 4-00)

The purpose of the Newport Rifle Club, Incorporated, is

1. To promote public safety, law and order, and the national defense by providing education and training to people of good repute in marksmanship and the safe handling and efficient use of small arms;



2. To foster and promote the shooting sports, including the advancement of amateur competitions in marksmanship at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels;



3. To forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

ARTICLE III, Membership:

Any citizen of the United States, twenty-one years of age or older, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, or national origin may become a member of the organization on vote of the Executive Committee and on payment of the usual initiation fees and dues and shall be a member of the National Rifle Association. Individuals under twenty-one years of age may be accepted as junior members.

ARTICLE IV, MEMBERSHIP CLASSES and DUES (Revised 9-97)

The classes of membership are as follows-

R- Regular Adult Member.

An adult member age 21 or older

S- Senior Member.

An adult member age 60 or older with ten years membership.

J- Junior Member.

A member under 21 years old. Junior status is retained until 31December of the calendar year of the twentieth birthday.

The annual dues of the organization shall be determined as follows:

The Treasurer shall, at the 1997 Annual Meeting, propose an Operating Target Budget for the coming fiscal year. The budget will be voted on by the members present at the annual meeting for approval. This will be the basis for the dues for that fiscal year. The Treasurer shall include in his proposal the dues for the coming fiscal year. Dues will be determined by dividing the approved Operating Target Budget by eighty per cent of the number of Regular Adult Members, rounded up to the nearest $5.00.

Example

Approved Operating Target	Number of Regular Adult Members	Calculation	Dues
$30,000.00	274	$136.861314	$140.00

Adult Members, membership class S, over the age of 60 years with 10 years consecutive membership will receive a discount of $40.00. In the case of married couple club members, one member shall pay the normal dues for his/her class of membership, the spouse' dues shall be discounted 50%, rounded up to the nearest $5.00. If the couple is not is in the same membership class, the member with the lesser amount payable will be discounted.

Current Permanent Life Members will retain their classification. However no further PLM's will be created.

Junior members of this Organization are exempt from club dues and fees; they must maintain membership in the NRA. Junior members maintain this status until 31 December of the calendar year in which they turn 20 years old. The annual date of payment of the dues shall be January 1st of the calendar year.

Key Cards remain the property of the Newport Rifle Club, Incorporated, and the deposit for the card shall be $25.00, which shall be refunded at termination of membership.

No member of the organization in arrears shall be eligible to any of the benefits offered by this organization.

ARTICLE V, MEETINGS

Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of this Organization shall be held in May of each year. If the meeting shall not take place at the time fixed it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter and the officers shall hold over until their successors shall have been elected.

Regular Meetings

The regular business meeting of the organization for the transaction of ordinary business shall be held on the first or fourth Tuesday of each month at such time and place as may be fixed by the executive committee.

Special Meetings

A Special meeting of the organization may be held at any time upon call of the President or on call of the Executive Committee or upon demand in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by no less than twenty per cent or the members entitled to vote. Notice of the time, place, and object of such special meeting shall be given all officers and all members in good standing in writing by United States Mail not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the holding of the meeting. The place of such meeting shall be fixed by the Executive Committee.

Quorum

Ten per cent of the members of the organization present and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

ARTICLE VI, Officers

The elected officers of the organization shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Instructor, and an Executive Officer, who acting together with the preceding years President shall constitute the Executive Committee. They shall be elected by majority vote by ballot at the annual meeting of the organization, and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected.

The affairs of the organization shall be managed by the Executive Committee, who shall have general supervision of the activities of the club. The Executive Committee shall develop and maintain a Policies and Procedures Manual which shall define in more detail the day to day operations of the club under the bylaws.

ARTICLE VII. Duties of Officers

President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the Executive Committee. He/she shall be a member Ex-0fficio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform other duties as usually pertain to his/her office.

Vice-President

The vice-president shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence or at his/her request.

Secretary (Revised 7-97)

The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence pertaining to the proper preparation and forwarding of all reports required by the National Rifle Association of America. He / she shall notify the members of the Executive Committee of all meetings, and shall notify all members of special and annual meetings as required in ARTICLE V. He/she shall keep a true record of all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the organization and maintain a complete file of all the books, papers of the club, and any other official documents.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the organization and place the same in such bank or banks as may be approved by the Executive Committee. He/she shall keep a detailed account of all transactions and render a detailed report with vouchers at any meeting of the Executive Committee when requested and a monthly financial report at the regular meetings as well as an annual report to the organization at its annual meeting. The Treasurer shall be responsible for submitting National Rifle Association dues and membership applications to the National Rifle Association.

Executive Officer

The Executive Officer shall have charge of the maintenance of the ranges of the club. He/she shall be responsible for the arranging of competitions. He/she shall contract no bills without authorization of the Executive Committee.

Chief Instructor

The Chief Instructor shall instruct all prospective Rifle or Pistol shooters in the proper and safe use of firearms. He/she shall recommend approval of Match Directors and/or Range Officers to the Executive Committee. He/she shall be a NRA Certified Instructor at the time of his/her election or shortly thereafter.

Succession of Officers

In the event of resignation or inability of any officer to perform the duties of his / her officer, the next subordinate officer in the line of succession shall assume those duties. The order of succession is:

1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. Treasurer
5. Executive Officer
6. Chief Instructor

ARTICLE VIII, Expulsion of Members

Any member whose conduct shall be decided, by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, to have been injurious to the interest or welfare of the club shall immediately forfeit his/her membership and privileges. He/she may appeal from a decision of the committee to the club at a special meeting called for that purpose, but it shall require a two - thirds (2/3) vote of those present to reverse the committees decision.

ARTICLE IX, Match Rules (Revised 7-97)

Unless otherwise noted, all rifle and revolver or pistol Competitions held by the club shall be governed by the rules and regulations prescribed by the National Rifle Association of America, the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearm Safety, the United States Revolver Association, or other recognized National Governing Body, as approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE X, Amendments (Revised 7-97)

Any amendment to these bylaws shall be presented at any meeting of the club after having been sent to each member by United States mail at least ten days previously. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present shall be necessary to pass it. The Secretary shall send to the National Rifle Association of America the revised bylaws.

ARTICLE XI, Nominating Committee (Revised 7-97)

The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members, not holding office, appointed by the presiding officer at the regular April meeting, to present at least one slate of nominees at the Annual meeting.

ARTICLE XII, Action Upon Dissolution of the Corporation (Added 4-00)

Upon dissolution of the Newport Rifle Club, Inc., the assets shall be liquidated and the proceeds distributed to an exempt organization with a purpose and goals consistent with those of the Newport Rifle Club, Inc.

1. General

Live firing conducted at the Milton Farrow Indoor Range is designed to provide authorized personnel access to a facility where they can become proficient with privately owned firearms.

2. Facilities for Use.

The Executive Committee schedules range availability. Live-fire shooting is normally limited to the following ranges and equipment:

a. Outdoor Range-

Rifles and pistols of any caliber or gauge. (No tracer or armor-piercing ammunition.) Members qualified to use the outdoor range with centerfire rifles may shoot shotguns only for sighting in slug guns and patterning shotguns.

b. Indoor Range-

Air rifles, air pistols, .22 caliber rimfire rifles only; handguns up to .45 caliber. (No tracer, armor-piercing ammunition, handguns chambered in a rifle caliber, or rifles chambered in a handgun caliber.)

3. Range Limitations and Safety Requirements.

Live-fire shooters and guests will:

a.	Fire only on scheduled ranges and have a Range Safety Officer (RSO) present, unless qualified to use the range without supervision.
b.	Fire only authorized firearms and ammunition.
c.	Fire at authorized targets only.
d.	Fire only after completing a "Hold Harmless" agreement. (Renewal is required annually for members. Guests much complete a "Hold Harmless" agreement each visit.)
e.	Ensure all projectiles impact within the established range safety limits.
f.	Ensure range flags are displayed when firing at the outdoor range.
g.	Call "Cease firing" and make safe all firearms when a shooter moves forward of the firing line or during any unsafe condition.
h.	Call "Cease firing" if a firing line becomes staggered (one shooter forward of another) anywhere on the range complex.
i.	Use appropriate ear protection. Double hearing protection (earplugs and circumaural muffs) is recommended on the indoor range.
j.	Wear appropriate eye protection.
k.	Notify the Club Executive Officer or Chief Range Safety Officer (CRSO) of any safety infractions.
l.	Police all brass, paper, and other debris that accumulates on the range. Dispose of them in the containers provided.

4. Authorized & Prohibited Firearms.

Class 3 firearms and devices are not permitted, i.e., fully automatic firearms.

5. Authorized Personnel.

The following persons are allowed to fire without a Range Safety Officer posted:

a.	Current members of the club.
b.	Invited guests of the above, provided the sponsoring member is present and assumes full responsibility for the conduct of his or her guest(s). Guests must complete a "Hold Harmless" agreement prior to entering the range. Guests are not permitted on the outdoor range.
c.	Personnel approved by the Executive Committee, Executive Officer, or CRSO on a case-by-case basis.

6. Personnel Responsibilities.

a. Executive Officer (EO)

1. Maintain the range facility.
2. Maintain the Official Range Schedules, to include matches, recreational fire, and any special instructions.

b. Shooting Club Members

1. Be familiar with and follow all club rules for range use.
2. All shooters and guests must fill out "hold harmless" agreements.
3. Shooters will conduct themselves in an orderly manner at all times and will be responsible for the conduct of any guests they bring.
4. All shooters are responsible for their guns and ammunition while on the complex.
5. Keep firearms cased until at a firing point or in the kitchen.

7. Hours of Operation and Scheduling.

The EO develops a special event live-fire schedule based on requests received and posts it monthly. All range requests will be approved based on range availability.

8. Alcoholic Beverages and Drugs.

Shooters may not consume alcoholic beverages or drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter medications) before or during live firing. The EO will deny range access to anyone in violation.

9. Medical Support.

In the event of a medical emergency, call 911 and notify the EO immediately.

10. Hold Harmless Agreement Form.

A "hold harmless" agreement form will be completed annually by each club member annually as part of membership renewal. Guests must complete an agreement each time they shoot.

1. To use the indoor range without the supervision of a Range Safety Officer, members must complete the prescribed course of instruction under the supervision of the Chief Instructor or a designated NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.



2. The National Rifle Association FIRST Steps for Pistol Owners or The Basics of Pistol Shooting courses from the Basic Firearms Education Program are the prescribed courses of instruction.



3. FIRST Steps for Pistol Owners is normally offered to new members on the Friday evening following the regular monthly meeting. For new members needing alternate arrangements contact the Chief Instructor.



4. Graduates of The Basics of Pistol Shooting course or the FIRST Steps for Pistol Owners who join the club within sixty days need not repeat the course.

1. Use of Range

   
   
   

   Only members authorized by the Chief Instructor of the Newport Rifle Club may use the indoor range without supervision. The range is open twenty-four hours daily except when scheduled for team or other organization use. Prior to shooting, members must sign in the range log and pay the appropriate range fee. Guests' names must also be entered in the log, a Hold Harmless Agreement completed and put in the box along with the range fee. Only one guest at a time may shoot. Guests may use the range four times per year.

   
   
   

2. Firearms brought Into the Range

   
   
   

   Firearms brought into the range must be completely unloaded. Firearms must be enclosed in a gun case, kit, or box until at an actual firing point, except firearms may be uncased in the kitchen for cleaning, maintenance, etc. Persons holding a permit under Title 11, Chapter 41, Section 18 of the Rhode Island General Laws of 1956, as amended, are exempt from this requirement, however, they must keep their pistol or revolver holstered until at a firing point. Uncased firearms must ALWAYS be pointed in a safe direction.





3. Firearms Permitted

   
   
   

   a.	.22 caliber rim fire rifles.
   b.	All handguns except those chambered for centerfire rifle ammunition.
   c.	Air guns and CO2 guns are permitted, except those that use BB's.





4. Ammunition Restrictions

   
   
   

   a.	Commercial and reloaded ammunition is permitted. Do not use +P or Magnum loads in centerfire calibers if other shooters are in the range.
   b.	The following types of ammunition are prohibited Steel jacketed / metal piercing. Centerfire Rifle. Tracer, incendiary, or explosive ammunition.





5. Firing Line Occupants

   
   
   

   a.	No eating, smoking, or drinking in the range area.
   b.	Persons under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult, acting as a coach, and must remain with the under age shooter at all times. (This does not apply to Organized events such as junior / subjuniors.)
   c.	Only one shooter or one shooter and one coach are permitted per shooting point, and only one uncased firearm is permitted per point. Range Officers and Instructors may waive this for organized events such as Basic Pistol Shooting classes.
   d.	Persons not Coaching or Shooting are not permitted on the range, except on the observers' benches.
   e.	No person shall go forward of the firing line until all firearms are laid on the bench with slides locked back and open, magazines out, cylinders open and shooters away from the bench. Firearms may not be handled while persons are forward of the firing line.




6. Muzzles must remain pointed downrange at all times.



7. Shooters must load and unload their own firearm. Loaded firearms are not to be passed to another person. Do not change shooting points with a loaded firearm.



8. Only line of sight firing is permitted. So-called Snap shooting, quick draw, hip shooting, etc. are permitted only for specially organized events. No fanning the hammer (machine gun style) is permitted.



9. Only standard paper targets may be used. The NRA Bianchi Cup style targets and the USRA Double Action Revolver Target are acceptable.



10. Do not shoot forward of the target line. If you wish to shoot at less than fifty (50) feet, reel the target toward you. Take special care not to shoot the ceiling.



11. Turn on the ventilation system prior to shooting. It takes about one minute for the system to become fully operational. After turning off the system, allow one full minute before restarting.



12. Report any damage caused or observed to the Executive Officer.

1. To qualify to use the outdoor range for rifle shooting members must first complete the National Rifle Association FIRST Steps Rifle Orientation or The Basics of Rifle Shooting course of instruction under the supervision of an NRA Certified Rifle Instructor or NRA Certified Rifle Coach. Members will be required to pay for instructional materials. Except for club sponsored shooting events, guests are not permitted to use the outdoor range.



2. The course of fire for rifle qualification is completed in the following stages on Official NRA SR-1 Rifle targets
   
   

   Smallbore Rifle

   (a) 100 yards - ten (10) shots offand
   Satisfactory performance is all rounds on the paper
   

   
   

   Center fire Rifle

   100 yards - ten (10) shots from each of the following positions:
   

   1. Prone
   2. Kneeling or sitting
   3. Offhand

   
   Satisfactory performance is 6 rounds on the paper on the second string.
   
   

   
   

   Members qualifying using a smallbore rifle must requalify (course of fire only) if they wish to shoot a high power rifle.

   
   
   

3. The course of fire for handgun qualification is completed in the following stages on Official NRA B-6 or B-8 targets
   
   (a) Twenty-five (25) yards - ten (10) shots. Satisfactory is all rounds on the paper.
   (b) Fifty (50) yards - ten (10) shots. Satisfactory is all rounds on the paper.
   

**NRA Certified Pistol Instructors may use the Outdoor Range to administer the qualifying course of fire to Pistol Permit applicants. The Instructor shall contribute $5 per person to the club for this use. The course of fire for Pistol Permit applicants may NOT be fired indoors at the Newport Rifle Club.

1. Use of Range

   
   
   

   Only members authorized by the Chief Instructor of the Newport Rifle Club may use the Outdoor range without supervision. The range is open from 0900 to sunset daily, except when scheduled for team or other organization use. Prior to shooting, members must sign in the range log, pay the appropriate range fee, and raise the range flag. Guests are not permitted to use the outdoor range, except during organized events.





2. Firearms brought onto the Range

   
   
   

   All firearms brought onto the range must be completely unloaded. They must be either carried with the action open and the muzzle pointed down or they must be enclosed in a gun case, kit, or box until at an actual firing point. Persons holding a permit under Title 11. Chapter 47, of Rhode Island General Laws of 1956, as amended, are exempt from this requirement; however, they must keep their pistol or revolver holstered until at a firing point. Uncased firearms must ALWAYS be pointed in a safe direction.

   
   
   
   

   Firearms Permitted

   
   
   

   a.	Rifles of any caliber.
   b.	All handguns.
   c.	Black powder handguns and long guns are permitted. Only one flask and one priming flask per shooting point are allowed.
   d.	Air guns and CO2 guns are permitted.

   
   
   
   

   Firearms Not Permitted

   
   
   

   a.	Shotguns, except for patterning and zeroing slug guns. The shooter MUST be qualified on the outdoor range with a center fire rifle.





3. Ammunition Restrictions

   
   
   

   a.	Commercial and reloaded ammunition is permitted.
   b.	Tracer. Incendiary, or explosive ammunition are prohibited.





4. Firing Line Occupants

   
   
   

   a.	No eating, smoking, or drinking in the range area.
   b.	Persons under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who will act as coach and must remain with the under age shooter at all times while shooting. (Not applicable to organized shooting such as juniors and sub juniors).
   c.	Only one shooter or one shooter and one coach are permitted per shooting point, and only one uncased firearm is permitted per point. This may be waived by a Range officer or Instructor during organized events.
   d.	Persons not Coaching or Shooting are not permitted on the range, except on the observers' benches.
   e.	No person shall go forward of the firing line until all firearms are laid down with magazines out and actions open and shooters standing away from the guns. Bolt open indicators are required.
   f.	Muzzles must remain pointed toward the ground or at the berm at all times. Do not raise the muzzle of a rifle above the midpoint of the berm. (This is inapplicable to muzzleloaders being loaded.) Do not prime a muzzleloader until AFTER it is charged with powder.
   g.	Shooters must load and unload their own firearm. Loaded firearms are not to be passed to another person. Do not change shooting points with a loaded firearm.
   h.	Only line of sight firing is permitted. So-called Snap shooting, quick draw, hip shooting, etc. are permitted only for specially organized events. No fanning the hammer (machine gun style) is permitted.
   i.	Only standard paper targets may be used. The NRA Bianchi Cup style targets and the USRA Double Action Revolver Target are acceptable.