2019 Texas Law Enforcement Multi-Gun Championship Rules
Revised June 4, 2019
1. Safety Rules
1.1 Participants are subject to event disqualification for violation of any rule or regulation in sections 1 or 2.
1.2 TXLEMGC will be conducted on a COLD RANGE.
COLD RANGE (definition): Participants firearms will remain unloaded at the event site except under the supervision and direct command of the Match Director, Range Master, or a Range Officer.
1.3 Designated Safety Areas
1.3.1 The Safety Areas will be clearly marked with signs.
1.3.2 Unloaded firearms may be handled and/or displayed only in the Safety Areas.
1.3.3 No ammunition may be handled in any Safety Area.
1.4 Rifles & Shotguns (carry from vehicle or between stages)
1.4.1 Rifles & shotguns must be cased, secured muzzle up or muzzle down in a stable gun cart/caddy, or carried vertically with the muzzle up or down.
1.4.2 Rifles & shotguns must be carried with actions open and detachable magazines removed.
1.4.3 Slung rifles may be carried empty with the bolt forward.
1.5 Handguns (carry from vehicle or between stages)
1.5.1 Handguns must arrive at the range in a case and remain in the case during transport to a designated Safety Area for initial holstering. A handgun may also be holstered initially under direction and supervision of a Range Officer.
1.5.2 Handguns must be cased or remain in holster, magazine removed except in designated Safety Areas, or under the direction of Range Officer(s) on a stage.
1.5.3 Handguns must be removed from the holster and cased at a designated Safety Area or under the direction of a Range Officer before the belt and/or holster is removed. Belts and/or holsters may not be removed or transported with a handgun still inside the holster.
1.5.4 Handguns must be carried with the “Hammer/Striker Down.”
1.6 No participants or spectators shall consume or be under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs at the event site. Any participant found to be impaired and deemed unsafe as a result of legitimate prescription drugs may be directed to stop shooting and requested to leave the range.
1.7 Eye protection is mandatory for participants, spectators & range personnel at the event site.
1.8 Ear protection is mandatory for participants, spectators & range personnel while on or near a course of fire.
1.9 Each course of fire starts with the “Make Ready” command and ends after the “Range is Clear” command.
2. Disqualifications:
2.1 Disqualification will result in complete disqualification from the event and the participant will not be allowed to continue. Participant will not be eligible for prizes. Final decision will be with the Match Director.
2.2 Disqualification for Accidental Discharge – A participant who causes an accidental discharge must be stopped by a Range Officer as soon as possible. An accidental discharge is defined as follows:
2.2.1 A shot, which travels over a backstop, a berm or in any other direction deemed by the event organizers as being unsafe.
2.2.2 Note that a participant who legitimately fires a shot at a target, which then travels in an unsafe direction, will not be disqualified.
2.2.3 A shot which strikes the ground within 10 feet of the participant.
(a) Exceptions:
(i) a bullet, slug, or shot which strikes the ground within 10 feet of the participant due to a “squib”; or
(ii) an otherwise legal shot at a target closer than 10 feet to the participant.
(b) In the case of a shot striking a prop where the bullet, slug, or shot is deflected or does not continue to strike the ground, if the Range Officer determines that the bullet, slug, or shot would have struck the ground within 10 feet of the participant had it not been deflected or stopped by the prop, then the shot shall be deemed and treated as a shot which strikes the ground within 10 feet of the participant.
2.2.4 A shot which occurs while loading, reloading or unloading any firearm after the “Make Ready” Command and/or before the “Range is Clear” command.
(a) Exception: a detonation, which occurs while unloading a firearm, is not considered a shot or discharge subject to an event disqualification, however, Rule 5.1 may apply.
(b) Detonation (definition): Ignition of the primer of a round, other than by action of a firing pin, where the bullet, slug or shot does not pass through the barrel (e.g. when a slide is being manually retracted, when a round is dropped).
2.2.5 A shot which occurs during remedial action in the case of a malfunction.
2.2.6 A shot which occurs while transferring a firearm between hands.
2.2.7 A shot which occurs during movement, except while actually shooting at targets.
2.3 Grounding a firearm in any condition not outlined in rule 7.1.13 will not result in event disqualification if it is otherwise grounded safely in a safe direction.
2.4 A participant may be disqualified for:
2.4.1 Retrieving a firearm dropped outside a course fire.
2.4.2 Dropping a firearm while loading/unloading.
2.4.3 Dropping a firearm before, during, or after transition, grounding, or anytime during the course of fire. This includes any firearm, loaded or unloaded, that falls after being grounded during the course of fire. If a competitor drops a handgun during the course of fire and the handgun is NOT part of the courseof fire, the competitor will be stopped and the RO and the competitor will verify the weapon is unloaded, then re-holstered. If the handgun is unloaded, the stage will be scored as fired. If the handgun is loaded, the participant will be disqualified.
2.4.4 Use of any ammunition prohibited or otherwise not allowed by Section 4.
2.4.5 Engaging a steel target in an unsafe manner, such as by:
(a) Engaging steel targets with handgun ammunition at a range of less than 23 feet.
(b) Engaging steel targets with shotgun birdshot ammunition at a range of less than 16 feet.
(c) Engaging steel targets with shotgun slug ammunition at a range of less than 131 feet.
(d) Engaging steel targets with rifle ammunition at a range of less than 164 feet.
2.5 A participant shall be disqualified for allowing the muzzle of his/her firearm to break the 180 degree Safety Plane.
2.5.1 In the case of a participant facing downrange, the muzzle of a loaded handgun may point slightly uprange while drawing or reholstering, so long as it does not point outside an imaginary circle of three (3) feet radius from the participant’s feet.
2.5.2 The 180 does not apply to a slung rifle that is empty.
2.6 Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point at any part of the participant’s body during a course of fire (i.e. sweeping).
2.6.1 Exception – an unloaded slung rifle and sweeping of the lower extremities (below the belt) while drawing or re-holstering of the handgun, provided that the Competitor’s fingers are clearly outside of the trigger guard.
2.7 A participant shall be disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct.
2.7.1 Cheating:
(a) Intentionally altering targets prior to the target being scored to gain advantage or avoid a penalty.
(b) Altering or falsifying score sheets.
(c) Altering the configuration of firearms or equipment to gain advantage (see rule 5.3 & 5.4).
(d) A course of fire must never require or allow a participant to touch or hold a firearm loading device or ammunition after the “Standby” command and before the “Start Signal” (except for unavoidable touching with the lower arms).
(e) Providing unauthorized assistance to a competitor during a course of fire will incur a procedural penalty for that stage or disqualification, at the Match Director’s discretion based on facts and circumstances of the incident. The Participant receiving unauthorized assistance will be required to re-shoot the stage.
2.7.2 Threatening or assaulting other participants or staff personnel.
2.7.3 Disruptive behavior in an attempt to disturb other participants while they are shooting.
2.7.4 Willful or grossly negligent disregard of event official’s instructions.
2.8 ALL disqualifications and re-shoots will be confirmed by the Range Master or the Match Director.
3. Sportsmanship & Conduct
3.1 Participants and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, sportsman-like manner at all times.
3.2 Clothing with any offensive or obscene logos, sayings, pictures or drawings will not be worn or displayed while at the event site/range.
3.3 A participant is expected to assist taping paper targets and resetting steel poppers and plates on a stage when her/his squad is shooting that stage. A shooter who just completed shooting or is on-deck is excused from the duty.
3.4 If inadvertent contact from the Range Officer or another external influence has interfered with the competitor during a course of fire, the Range Officer may offer the participant a re-shoot of the course of fire. The participant must accept or decline the offer prior to seeing either the time or penalties from the initial attempt. However, all safety provisions may still apply.
4. Ammunition
4.1 All types of tracer, incendiary, armor piercing, or steel/Tungsten core/penetrator ammunition is prohibited. Steel shot and slugs are prohibited. A magnet may be used to inspect ammunition. Steel or other bi-metal-jacketed ammo is allowed. However, at the discretion of the Match Director, any ammo which attracts a magnet may have a sample destructively tested to ensure it does not have a hardened core or penetrator.
4.2 Pistol/revolver ammunition shall be 9×19 or larger.
4.3 Rifle ammunition shall be .223 Remington (5.56 NATO) or larger.
4.4 Shotgun ammunition shall be 20 gauge or larger, #4 LEAD SHOT or smaller & SLUGS ONLY.
4.4.1 Buckshot is prohibited unless the Course of Fire specifically allows it, and a 5 second procedural is charged.
4.4.2 Where allowed buckshot, minimum will be 00 buck for 12 gauge and 3 buck for 20 gauge.
5. Firearms
5.1 All firearms used by participants must be serviceable and safe. Range Officers may demand examination of a participant’s firearm or related equipment, at any time, to check they are functioning safely. If any such item is declared unserviceable or unsafe by a Range Officer, it must be withdrawn from the event until the item is repaired to the satisfaction of the Match Director or Range Master.
5.2 If a participant’s firearm becomes unserviceable during competition, that participant may replace his/her firearm with another of the same model, caliber and sighting system approved by the Match Director or his designee.
5.3 For purposes of this ruling, a “firearm” consists of a specific caliber, receiver, barrel, stock and sighting system combination.
5.4 The same firearm system, for each gun, per Rule 5.3, shall be used during the entire event.
5.5 Participants will not reconfigure any firearm during the course of the entire event. (i.e. change caliber, barrel length, shotgun magazine tube length, sighting systems or stock style.) This will be considered Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
5.6 Unless otherwise stipulated in the stage briefing, required firearms will begin the stage in the following ready conditions:
5.6.1 Handgun: Loaded to division start capacity and holstered. In the case of single-action autos or double-action autos with manual override safeties, the safety catch must be in the “safe” position. In the case of double-action autos & revolvers, the hammer must be down/forward.
5.6.2 Rifle: Loaded to division start capacity and held in the low ready position at least 45 degrees from the eye line. Safety catch must be in the “safe” position.
5.6.3 Shotgun: Loaded to division start capacity and held in the low ready position. Safety catch must be in the “safe” position.
5.6.4 Participants may not touch or hold any firearm loading device or ammunition after the “Standby” Command and before the “Start Signal” (except for unavoidable touching with the lower arms).
6. Firearm Divisions—Tac Optics, Patrol, and Trooper
6.1 Tac Optics
6.1.1 Tac Optics Handgun
(a) Compensators or barrel porting are prohibited.
(b) Slide mounted red dot optics are allowed.
(c) Magazines length may not exceed 170mm in the case of single column magazines, and may not exceed 140mm in the case of staggered column magazines
6.1.2 Tac Ops Rifle
(a) Not more than one (1) electronic or optical sight is permitted
(b) A supplemental magnifier may be used with the permitted optical sight provided the magnifier does not contain an aiming reticle, cannot be used as an aiming device by itself, and remains mounted in the same location on the rifle for the duration of the event. A participant may use the magnifier in either the magnified or unmagnified mode without restriction
(c) Compensators and muzzle brakes may not exceed 1 inch in diameter and 3 inches in length (as measured from the barrel muzzle to the end of the compensator).
6.2 Patrol
6.2.1 Patrol Handgun
(a) Electronic sights, optical sights, extended sights, compensators or barrel porting are prohibited.
(b) Magazines must fit flush with the bottom of the grip. No extended magazines.
(c) Double stack handguns that are not striker-fired must begin with a double action first shot.
6.2.2 Patrol Rifle
(a) Not more than one (1) non-magnified electronic or optical sight is permitted. Electronic or optical sights originally designed to be capable of any magnification (whether used or not) are prohibited.
(b) Supporting devices (bipods, etc.) are prohibited.
(c) Compensators and muzzle brakes are prohibited; defined as any muzzle device with a baffle that redirects expelled muzzle gasses any direction other than forward.
(d) Rifle magazines may not hold more than 30 rounds.
6.3 Trooper – Same firearms rules as Tac Optics.
6.4 Handgun holsters and equipment – Tac Optics and Patrol
6.4.1 Holsters must be a practical/tactical carry style and must be able to safely retain the handgun during vigorous movement.
6.4.2 The holster material must completely cover the trigger on all semiautomatic pistols. Revolver holsters must completely cover the trigger and the cylinder.
6.4.3 The belt upon which the holster and magazine/speed loader pouches are attached must be worn at waist level. Vest mounted holsters may be allowed in a case-by-case basis provided the muzzle remains oriented in a safe direction.
6.4.4 Due to safety concerns shoulder holsters and cross draw holsters are disallowed.
6.4.5 Holsters in the Patrol Division must utilize active retention which must be engaged at the beginning of a course of fire.
6.5 Handgun holsters and equipment – Trooper
6.5.1 A plate carrier containing at least front and back rifle rated armor plates must be worn for the duration of the match day.
6.5.2 All firearms and ammunition utilized during any course of fire must be worn for the duration of the match day.
6.5.3 Duration of the match day is defined as the time the first shooter on the squad begins his first course of fire until the last shooter on the squad has finished the last course of fire for that day.
6.5.4 Tac Optics holster and equipment restrictions also apply to Trooper.
7. Scoring
7.1 Time and Penalties for Time-Plus Stages.
7.1.1 Cardboard Targets:
(a) Any IPSC cardboard target, designated as a “shoot” target requires two A-zone hits to avoid a penalty.
(i) B/C zone hit = .5 second penalty
(ii) D zone hit = 1.5 second penalty
(iii) Miss = 2.5 second penalty
(iv) Best two hits on targets with three or more hits will be scored.
7.1.2 Only holes made by bullets will count for score/penalty. Evidence of the actual bullet must be present on the target, i.e. crown or grease ring (mark) on the hole. Holes made by shrapnel, fragments or flying debris will not count for score/penalty.
7.1.3 Designated “No Shoot” targets that are hit will incur a 5 second penalty for each hit.
7.1.4 Knock down style targets (i.e. poppers) must fall to score.
(a) Knock down pistol targets will be calibrated with a 9mm pistol using factory ammunition.
(b) Knock down shotgun targets will be calibrated with a 12 gauge shotgun. Any action type. Maximum barrel length 26 inches.
(c) Knock down shotgun targets will be calibrated with a 12 gauge shotgun using factory 2 ½ dram, 7/8 ounce load, #7 1/2 or #8 birdshot.
(d) The Range Master must designate specific supplies of 9mm and 12 gauge ammunition and one or more handguns and shotguns to be used as official calibration tools to be used only by the Range Master or designated testing personnel.
(e) Designated pistol(s), shotgun(s) and the test/calibration ammunition are not subject to challenge by competitors.
(f) If a knock-down target fails to fall when hit by a calibration shot, a re-shoot is required.
7.1.5 Engaging a frangible, knock-down, swinging style, or other reactive target but not breaking it (one BB hole is a break), knocking it down, or causing the target to react will result in a 5 second penalty pertarget. The written stage description may specify additional penalties for a miss on knock down or swinging style targets at distances over 100 yards. A Range Officer may call hits as required or allowed by the written stage description, provided that such calls are provided to all competitors.
7.1.6 Procedural penalties, 5 seconds per shot, may be assessed for failing to follow the stage directions as written in the stage description.
7.1.7 Procedural penalties, 5 seconds, may be assessed for failing to follow stage procedures.
7.1.8 Stage Not Fired (SNF) penalty, 500 seconds per stage not fired.
7.1.9 Maximum time for any stage (including target penalties) is 500 seconds.
7.1.10 The Match Director may specify a time limit for completing any stage by stating it clearly in the stage briefing. A participant exceeding the time limit will be stopped by an Event Official and the stage will be scored as shot with all applicable miss penalties. No hits will be scored on shots fired past the time limit. Time will be recorded on the last shot fired with no time recorded greater than the time limit.
7.1.11 Unless otherwise specified in the written stage description, a competitor’s raw time begins with the audible start signal and ends with the last shot fired.
7.1.12 Grounding Firearms – During the course requirements of a multi-gun stage, a participant may be required to ground a firearm in order to transition to another. The location and position of the grounded firearm will be specified in the written stage description. A participant shall transition firearms by safely grounding a firearm using either of the following acceptable and safe methods:
(a) Loaded, safety engaged.
(b) Unloaded. Note: For purposes of TXLEMGC, “unloaded” means:
(i) Empty chamber and empty source (tube or magazine); or
(ii) Empty chamber and magazine completely removed.
(c) Rifles may be grounded on the shooter’s person using a sling in either of the above conditions, but the 180 still applies if the rifle is not empty.
(d) Grounding a rifle in a condition other than described above will result in a 30 second penalty.
7.2 Stage Points.
7.2.1 Time-plus stages.
(a) The written stage description of each time-plus stage will designate the maximum number of points that may be awarded to a competitor for that stage.
(b) The points awarded to a competitor for a stage will be based on that competitor’s total raw time and penalties imposed for the stage (the “adjusted time”), in accordance with Section 7.1. The competitor(s) with the lowest adjusted time for the stage will be awarded 100% of the maximum points for that stage. Stage points will be awarded to other competitors according to their adjusted time relative to the lowest adjusted time for that stage, as follows: Competitor’s stage points= (maximum stage points) x (fastest adjusted time / competitor’s adjusted time).
7.3 A competitor’s match score will be the sum of the points the competitor earns for each of the stages per Section 7.2. The highest match score wins, and the remaining competitors shall be ranked according to decreasing match scores
7.4 Teams
7.4.1 Teams will consist of four (4) competitors and must be declared before the match begins.
7.4.2 Team scores will consist of the sum of each team member’s total match points.
8. Prizes
8.1 Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each division along with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams.
8.2 Prizes will be awarded by random draw.
9. Eligibility
9.1 Law Enforcement – Full time, certified, sworn Peace Officer (or out-of-state/federal equivalent) of a municipal, county, state, or federal government agency or retired with retired ID.
9.2 Military – Active duty military, or reserve that has deployed or is scheduled to deploy into any active war zone or retired with retired ID.
9.3 Invitational – Does not meet the Law Enforcement or Military eligibility but may participate at the discretion of the Match Director.
9.4 Retiree – Honorably retired competitors that would have met the requirements of 9.1 or 9.2 before retiring.