The Boy Scouts of America adheres to its longstanding policy of teaching its youth and adult members the safe, responsible, intelligent handling, care, and use of firearms, airguns, and BB guns in planned, carefully managed, and supervised programs.

Except for law enforcement officers required to carry firearms within their jurisdiction, firearms shall not be brought on camping, hiking, backpacking, or other Scouting activities except those specifically planned for target shooting under the supervision of a currently certified BSA or National Rifle Association firearms instructor.

Cub Scouting Standards

Youth members of Cub Scouting are permitted to participate in the shooting activities named in here only.

Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, council-managed family camping programs, or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the pack level.

Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of handgun or firearm.

Boy Scouting Standards

Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts are permitted to participate in shooting activities outlined in the Cub Scout standards and in the standards listed here.

Boy Scouts are permitted to fire bows and arrows, BB guns, .22-caliber bolt-action, single-shot rifles, air rifles, shotguns, and muzzle-loading long guns under the direction of a certified instructor, 21 years of age or older, within the standards outlined in current Scouting literature and bulletins. BSA policy does not permit the use of handguns in the Boy Scouting program.

Shotguns

Primary reference: Camp Program and Property Management (Shooting Sports, Section VI)

Rifles

1. Breech-loading rifles will be single-shot, bolt-action of the .22-caliber rim-fire type only. They may be chambered for the .22-short or .22-long rifle, but not for the .22-WMR rifle (which uses a more powerful cartridge). Air rifles are also permitted.
2. Semiautomatic rifles will not be permitted.
3. Repeating rifles having a tubular magazine will not be permitted.
4. Repeating rifles having a removable clip-type magazine will be permitted but must be used as single-loaders.
5. All rifles used in BSA shooting sports shall have a trigger pull in excess of 3 pounds, and shall be tested with a 3-pound weight or scale at least once a week while in use. If the trigger mechanism is activated by the 3-pound pull, the rifle should be immediately removed from service.
6. Shooting safety glasses and ear protectors must be worn on the range.

All training and shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified rifle instructor or coach who is 21 years of age or older.

Muzzle Loaders

The following standards are for muzzle-loading long guns.

Primary reference: Camp Program and Property Management (Shooting Sports, Section VI)

Handguns

1. Handgun use is limited to the Venturing program only.
2. All training and shooting activities must be under the supervision of a currently NRA-certified pistol instructor or a pistol instructor of a local, state, or federal agency who is 21 years of age or older.
3. All participants must complete a basic pistol marksmanship course prior to range firing. The NRA basic pistol marksmanship course (or equivalent training course) conducted by a law enforcement agency, a civilian gun club, or a U.S. military department is acceptable.
4. With the approval of the local council, handgun shooting may be conducted on BSA camp ranges, provided the shooting is done under the auspices of an NRA-certified pistol instructor or pistol instructor of a local, state, or federal agency.
5. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on pistol ranges.
6. Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.

Venturing Standards

The following guidelines relate to use of firearms within the Venturing program only. Safety should be the primary consideration when firearms are used as part of the Venturing program.

Venturers may do all activities listed as approved in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout sections and must follow guidelines in those sections. In addition to those activities, Venturers may do the following:

Rifles

Venturers may use center-fire rifles (large caliber rifles).

Handguns

1. Handgun use is limited to the Venturing program.
2. All pistol shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified pistol instructor and when on the range, must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified range safety officer.
3. When on the range, there must be a ratio of no more than three shooters per adult coach or instructor. the adult coaches or instructors must be close to the shooters for close supervision. The adult coaches/instructors must be supervised by the range safety officer.
4. All participants must complete an NRA basic pistol marksmanship course prior to range firing.
5. With the approval of the local council, handgun shooting may be conducted on BSA camp ranges, provided the shooting is done under the supervision of a currently NRA-certified range safety officer.
6. Shooting safety glasses and ear protection must be worn on pistol ranges.
7. Compliance with federal, state, and local laws is required.

To locate an NRA-certified range safety officer or instructor in your area, contact the NRA Training Department at 703-267-1430 or at www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp.

Primary reference: Venturing Leader Manual, No. 34655D

The Boy Scouts of America

http://www.scouting.org/