Ensuring the safety of our shooters, coaching staff, visiting teams, and facilities is the highest priority of the Yale Skeet & Trap Team. In order to do so, we have implemented the following safety procedures and regulations:
NOTE: Our shooting program only uses environmentally-friendly biodegradable clay targets and non-toxic steel shot pellets.
1) As part of our interview/screening process, prospective team members are required to answer several questions about shooting experience and general rules of gun safety.
2) All new team members are supervised and taught by a qualified shooting instructor.
3) Each practice field must be supervised by the coach, assistant coach, team captain, or other designated qualified shooter. Competitions must be similarly supervised.
4) All firearms are kept clean and in good working order. Repairs are done by a professional gunsmith.
5) All firearms are signed in and out by the team captain for each practice and competition.
6) Detailed inventory records are kept for all firearms, including make, model, and serial number.
7) All firearms are stored in locked gun safes at a secured location off campus.
8) Team and personal target firearms are never stored in student dorm rooms or on the main Yale campus
9) Firearms are transported by the team coach in lockable metal gun cases.
10) NO reloaded ammunition is permitted at the Yale facilities - factory ammunition only.
11) Standard safe firearms handling procedures are required at all practices and matches. This includes open gun when not in use, muzzle always pointed in a safe direction, no loading of the firearm until it is the shooter’s turn to fire (and only when the shooter is on the station).
12) Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times on the firing range.
13) Only properly trained persons are permitted in the target-throwing houses. NO visiting team members or coaches are allowed in target houses.
14) No test firing of guns or shooting hats without permission and supervision by the Yale coaching staff.
15) No inflammable gun cleaning sprays, liquids, or oil rags are permitted in the clubhouse.