When a security incident occurs at the range, the collective imagination immediately points to the moment of firing: finger on the trigger, shot fired, poor aiming.
However, the analysis of accidents and near-misses shows a very different reality.
The majority of incidents occur outside of the shooting phase.
During handling, movement, interruptions, or moments deemed "safe".
The false sense of security outside shooting
Once the shooting is over, vigilance drops sharply.
The shooter thinks they are "safe" because they are no longer shooting.
This is precisely where errors appear:
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quick handling without complete verification
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neglected barrel orientation
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accelerated movements to "make room"
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conversations during handling
The danger does not disappear when shooting stops.
It simply changes form.
The most accident-prone moments
The risky phases are surprisingly recurrent:
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setting up at the shooting line
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magazine change
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quick disassembly/reassembly
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end of session
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storage and transport
These moments often combine:
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fatigue
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decreased attention
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implicit social pressure
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automation
A perfect cocktail for error.
The classic error: confusing calm with safety
The absence of noise and recoil creates an illusion of control.
Yet, a weapon remains dangerous:
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loaded or not
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cocked or not
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in use or not
Effective safety does not depend on the intensity of the action but on the rigor of the protocol.
The influence of the collective
Outside the shooting phase, social interactions increase:
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advice exchanged
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external observations
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conversations
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distractions
The shooter becomes partially distracted while continuing to handle a weapon.
This is one of the most underestimated contexts in terms of safety.
Securing the “calm” phases
The most rigorous shooters often apply a simple rule:
- The same level of requirement outside shooting as during the shooting phase.
This implies:
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deliberately slowing down
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verbalizing actions
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mentally isolating the handling
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refusing any haste
Conclusion
Security incidents do not occur when everyone is focused…
They appear when the tension drops.
Understanding that the main danger lies outside the shooting phase allows for refocusing vigilance efforts where they are truly needed.
In sport shooting, safety is not played out in the spectacular moment of firing, but in ordinary, repetitive, and silent actions.
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