Learn firearm safety rules, proper handling, and shooting fundamentals. Practice marksmanship with rifles or air rifles to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Safety and Responsibility

    Do the following:

    Do all
    1. a.

      Projectiles and Why They Demand Respect

      Explain what a projectile is, and why any device that shoots a projectile at high speed must be handled with care and respect, and used only in approved locations.
    2. b.

      The Four Rules of Safe Gun Handling

      Explain the basic rules of safe gun handling that apply to all firearms.
    3. c.

      A Friend Asks to See the Gun

      Describe how you would react if a friend visiting your home asked to see your or your family’s firearm.
    4. d.

      Eye and Hearing Protection

      Explain the need for, types, and use of eye protection and hearing protection.
    5. e.

      Gun Laws in Your Community and State

      Explain the main points of the laws for owning and using guns in your community and state.
    6. f.

      Hunting and Wildlife Resources

      Explain how hunting is related to the wise use of renewable wildlife resources.
    7. g.

      Hunter Education and State Hunting Laws

      Do all
      Successfully complete a state hunter education course, or obtain a copy of the hunting laws for your state, then do the following:
      1. 1.

        Explain the main points of hunting laws in your state, and any special laws on the use of guns and ammunition, AND

      2. 2.

        List the kinds of wildlife that can be legally hunted in your state.

    8. h.

      Hygiene on the Range

      Explain to your counselor the proper hygienic guidelines followed while shooting.
    9. i.

      Range and Target Activities Near You

      Identify places in your community where you can join or be a part of range and target activities.
    10. j.

      Sources of Information on Firearms

      Discuss with your counselor a list of sources you could contact for information on firearms and their use.

  2. 2. Choose Your Shooting Option

    Pick Your Option

    Choose 1
    Working under the supervision of a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) rifle instructor and a certified range safety officer, at a nationally authorized camp property or at a commercial firearm range (as defined in the Scouting America National Range and Target Activities Manual ), do ONE of the following options:

    1. Option A Overview

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. a.

        Three Main Parts of a Rifle

        Identify the three main parts of a rifle, and tell how they function.
      2. b.

        Safe Storage and Handling

        Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling a rifle.
      3. c.

        Two Types of Cartridges

        Identify the two types of cartridges, their parts, and how they function.
      4. d.

        Misfire, Hangfire, and Squib Fire

        Explain to your counselor what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are, and explain the procedures to follow in response to each.
      5. e.

        The Five Fundamentals of Shooting

        Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting a rifle: aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control, and follow-through.
      6. f.

        Range Procedures and Commands

        Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a rifle on a range, including understanding and following range procedures and commands.
      7. g.

        Cleaning Safety Rules and Materials

        Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning a rifle, and identify the materials needed.
      8. h.

        Clean a Rifle Properly

        Demonstrate how to clean a rifle properly and safely.
      9. i.

        Selecting a Rifle

        Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a rifle.
      10. j.

        First Grouping Exercise: Zeroing

        22 caliber rimfire rifle, and shooting from a benchrest or supported prone position at 50 feet, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be touched by a quarter. Using these targets, explain how to adjust sights to zero a rifle.
      11. k.

        Scored Grouping Exercise

        Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor determines it is not practical to adjust the sights—for instance, on a borrowed rifle—you may explain (rather than doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire five groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be touched by a quarter. According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: A-32 targets: 9; A-17 or TQ-1 targets: 7; A-36 targets: 5. Note: Other suitable NRA targets may be used based on availability.

    2. Option B Overview

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. a.

        Three Main Parts of an Air Rifle

        Identify the three main parts of an air rifle, and explain how they function.
      2. b.

        Safe Storage and Handling

        Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling an air rifle.
      3. c.

        Two Types of Air Rifle Ammunition

        Identify the two most common types of air rifle ammunition.
      4. d.

        The Five Fundamentals of Shooting

        Explain and demonstrate the five fundamentals of shooting an air rifle: aiming, breath control, hold control, trigger control, and follow-through.
      5. e.

        Range Procedures and Commands

        Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot on a range, including understanding and following range procedures and commands.
      6. f.

        Cleaning Safety Rules and Materials

        Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning an air rifle, and identify the materials needed.
      7. g.

        Clean an Air Rifle Properly

        Demonstrate how to clean an air rifle properly and safely.
      8. h.

        Selecting an Air Rifle

        Discuss what points you would consider in selecting an air rifle.
      9. i.

        First Grouping Exercise

        Using a BB gun or pellet rifle and shooting from a benchrest or supported prone position at 15 feet for BB guns or 33 feet for pellet rifles, fire five groups (three shots per group) that can be touched by a quarter.
      10. j.

        Scored Grouping Exercise

        Adjust sights to center the group on the target and fire five groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor determines it is not practical to adjust the sights—for instance, on a borrowed air rifle—you may explain (rather than doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire five groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be touched by a quarter. According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: BB rifle at 15 feet (or 5 meters) using TQ-5 targets: 8; Pellet rifle at 25 feet using TQ-5 targets: 8; Pellet rifle at 33 feet (or 10 meters) using AR-1 targets: 6. Note: Other suitable NRA targets may be used based on availability.

    3. Option C Overview

      Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. a.

        History of Muzzleloading Rifles

        Discuss with your counselor a brief history of the development of muzzleloading rifles.
      2. b.

        Principal Parts and How They Work

        Identify principal parts of muzzleloading rifles and discuss how they function.
      3. c.

        Safe Storage and Handling

        Identify and demonstrate the rules for safely storing and handling a muzzleloading rifle.
      4. d.

        Grades of Black Powder

        Identify the various grades of black powder and explain their proper and safe use.
      5. e.

        Black Powder Storage Safety

        Discuss proper safety procedures pertaining to black powder storage.
      6. f.

        Components of a Load

        Discuss proper components of a load.
      7. g.

        Loading Procedures and Accessories

        Identify proper procedures and accessories used for safely loading a muzzleloading rifle.
      8. h.

        Misfires, Hangfires, and Squib Fires

        Identify the causes of a muzzleloading rifle’s failure to fire, and explain what a misfire, hangfire, and squib fire are. Explain and demonstrate proper preventive measures, and the procedures to follow in response to each.
      9. i.

        Range Procedures and Commands

        Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely shoot a muzzleloading rifle on a range, including understanding and following range procedures and commands.
      10. j.

        Cleaning Safety Rules and Materials

        Explain the basic safety rules for cleaning a muzzleloading rifle, and identify the materials needed.
      11. k.

        Clean a Muzzleloader Properly

        Demonstrate how to clean a muzzleloading rifle properly and safely.
      12. l.

        Selecting a Muzzleloading Rifle

        Discuss what points you would consider in selecting a muzzleloading rifle.
      13. m.

        First Grouping Exercise

        Using a muzzleloading rifle of .45 or .50 caliber and shooting from a benchrest or supported prone position, fire three groups (three shots per group) at 50 feet that can be covered by the base of a standard-size soft drink can.
      14. n.

        Scored Grouping Exercise

        Adjust the sights to center the group on the target and fire three groups (five shots per group). In the event that your instructor determines it is not practical to adjust the sights—for instance, on a borrowed muzzleloading rifle—you may explain (rather than doing) how to adjust the sights, and then fire three groups (five shots per group) in which all shots can be covered by the base of a standard-size soft drink can. According to the target used, each shot in the group must meet the following minimum score: at 25 yards using NRA A-23 or NMLRA 50-yard targets: 7; at 50 yards using NRA A-25 or NMLRA 100-yard targets: 7. Note: Other suitable NRA targets may be used based on availability.

  3. 3. Careers and Goals

    Pathways, Training, and Goals

    Identify how you could apply the skills and knowledge of safe and responsible use of firearms you learned in this merit badge to pursue a career or personal hobby. Research the additional training and experience you would need, expenses you may incur, and the affiliation with organizations that could help you maximize the positive impact and enjoyment you gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor, and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.