Multi Gun qeustion re: Abandoning

[Anopsis]

I have not participated in a USPSA muli-gun match, but an acquaintance of mine asked me about a ruling. I have searched the rulebook and I believe I must be missing something obvious regarding the condition of an abandoned firearm as it relates to multigun rules.

The rules state that the gun must be in an "unloaded" condition, but I can find no strict description of "unloaded". My gut feeling is that if the shooter is actually abandoning the firearm (in this case, an AR-15), the magazine should definitely be out, but should the bolt be locked open? Must the RO see that the gun is clear before proceeding? Thanks for any help.

[outerlimits]

check the multigun addendum, 10.5.3-there are several options...

[mactiger]

I have not participated in a USPSA muli-gun match, but an acquaintance of mine asked me about a ruling. I have searched the rulebook and I believe I must be missing something obvious regarding the condition of an abandoned firearm as it relates to multigun rules.

The rules state that the gun must be in an "unloaded" condition, but I can find no strict description of "unloaded". My gut feeling is that if the shooter is actually abandoning the firearm (in this case, an AR-15), the magazine should definitely be out, but should the bolt be locked open? Must the RO see that the gun is clear before proceeding? Thanks for any help.

Unloaded would basically be the opposite of loaded, which is defined in the rules. However, as pointed out in the previous post, there are several options for abandoning a gun under MG 10.5.3.

Troy

MG 10.5.3:

Within the context of a multi-gun stage, a competitor may be required to

“abandon” a firearm in order to use another firearm. In this context, an

“abandoned firearm” is a firearm which the competitor has used, placed

on the ground or other stable object in accordance with course

requirements, and subsequently moved more than one (1) meter away

from. In a multi-gun stage, the provisions of 10.5.3.2 are waived to

allow specific ways in which a firearm may to be “abandoned” during a

course of fire.

There are three ways in which a firearm may be legally “abandoned”

during a course of fire:

Type 1) A stage may provide a device which retains the firearm in a

safe and stable position and orientation. Examples of

suitable devices include boxes (with or without lids) which

have sides high enough to prevent the firearm from being

dislodged; tubes or barrels arranged to hold the firearm in

place, etc. Any such devices must be securely fixed in a safe

position and orientation, so that a firearm placed within is

pointed towards a berm or other safe direction, cannot easily

or inadvertently be dislodged, and so that no person may

pass in front of the muzzle of a firearm placed in the device.

If a firearm is placed in such a device, the firearm may be

abandoned in any “ready condition” defined in Section 8.1

When a loaded firearm is safely placed within such a device,

the shooter may move downrange of the abandoned firearm

(subject to course instructions and constraints).

-- Abandoning a loaded firearm in the device in an

improper condition (eg, loaded and safety off) will

result in a Match DQ

-- Abandoning a loaded firearm outside of such a device

and subsequently moving downrange of it will result in

a Match DQ

Type 2) A stage may provide a location for the firearm which does

not provide positive retention. Examples of this type of

placement would include a marked location on a table, a flat

surface, a referenced location on the ground, etc., where

there are no raised sides or other devices designed to keep

the firearm from being inadvertently moved after placement.

If a firearm is placed in such a location, the firearm may be

abandoned in any “ready condition” defined in Section 8.1

When a firearm is abandoned in a non-retention location, theshooter may NOT move downrange of the abandoned firearm

(subject to course instructions and constraints) UNLESS the

firearm is UNLOADED (see Option 3, below).

-- Abandoning a loaded firearm in the location in an

improper condition (eg, loaded and safety off) will

result in a Match DQ

-- Abandoning a loaded firearm in a non-retention

location and subsequently moving downrange of it will

result in a Match DQ

Type 3) Whether or not the stage provides a specific device or

location for an abandoned firearm, a firearm may be

abandoned if it is in an UNLOADED ready condition (as

defined in 10.5.13 for each firearm type).

If an UNLOADED firearm is abandoned, the shooter may

move downrange of the abandoned firearm (subject to

course instructions and constraints).

-- Abandoning a loaded firearm in a non-retention

location and subsequently moving downrange of it will

result in a Match DQ

Note: UNLOADING a firearm in an unsafe manner, including but not

limited to 10.4.1 (shot in unsafe direction), 10.4.2 (shot hits ground

within 3 meters), 10.4.6 (shot while moving and not engaging targets)

will result in a Match DQ.

Note: If the shooter remains within 1 meter of the firearm as specified in

10.5.3.2, the firearm is not considered abandoned.

The options, simplified:

-- 1: loaded and (on safe or empty) and in a retention device =

free to move downrange.

-- 2: loaded and (on safe or empty) but NOT positively retained =

lateral movement only.

-- 3: UNLOADED = free to move downrange.

All abandoned firearms, whether loaded or unloaded, must always be

oriented with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction as defined in 10.5.2,

and safe muzzle direction for any abandoned firearms must be specified in

the course description. Abandoning a firearm in an unsafe location,

position or orientation (eg, pointing in an unsafe direction) will result in a

Match DQ. Props, markings or other devices may be used to indicate the

safe muzzle direction of an abandoned firearm.

[Anopsis]

Thanks for the help. In this case, the participant told me that he ran his AR dry; he abandoned it with the empty mag in it and the bolt locked open. The RO stopped him and had him remove the magazine. Was this correct or incorrect? Thanks again.

[mactiger]

Since he left it in an unloaded condition, I'd say there was no reason to stop him.

Troy