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, air guns, 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 certified BSA or National Rifle Association firearms instructor.
Gun-shooting sports are not an approved part of the Cub Scout program except at a council-approved Cub Scout day camp, Cub Scout resident camp, or Cub Scout family camp. At camp, Cub Scouts may have an opportunity to take part in a BB-gun (rifle) safety and marksmanship program under the direction of a certified BB-gun range officer.
Cub Scouts are not permitted to use any other type of handgun or firearm.
Boy Scouts are permitted to fire .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.
The following guidelines relate to the use of handguns within the program of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Handgun use is limited to the Venturing program only.
- All training and shooting activities must be under the supervision of an NRA-certified instructor or the firearms instructor of a local, state, or federal agency.
- 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.
- 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 instructor or firearms instructor of a local, state, or federal agency.
- Care must be taken to comply with federal, state, and local laws.
The following standards are established for shotguns to be used by Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers:
- It is recommended that either 20-, 16-, or 12-gauge semiautomatic shotguns be used. Gas operated shotguns are recommended.
- Ammunition containing No. 8 shot or smaller is recommended on ranges with a protected down range of 600 feet. Additional down range distance of 150 feet (total 750) is required for No. 6 shot size. Shot larger than No. 6 is not to be used.
- Shooting safety glasses and ear protectors must be worn on shotgun ranges.
- All training and shooting activities must be supervised by a currently NRA-certified shotgun instructor or coach who is 21 years of age or older.
Primary reference: Camp Program and Property Management (Shooting Sports, Section V)
The following standards for muzzle-loading long guns are to be used by members of the BSA:
- Muzzle-loading rifles must be recently manufactured, percussion only. BSA recommends those that are .45- or .50-caliber. Rifles made from kits must be checked by an expert gunsmith.
- Recommended loads of .FFFg blackpowder are not to exceed 1 grain per caliber. One-half of this amount is frequently sufficient for target shooting.
- Shooting safety glasses and ear protectors must be worn.
- All training and shooting activities must be supervised by a currently certified NRA/NMLRA muzzle-loading rifle instructor who is at least 21 years of age.
- Each pupil must have one instructor or adult coach under instructor supervision when loading and firing.
Primary reference: Camp Program and Property Management (Shooting Sports, Section V)
The following standards are established for rifle use in Boy Scout and Varsity Scout activities:
- 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-WRF rifle (which uses a more powerful cartridge). Air rifles are also permitted.
- Semiautomatic rifles will not be permitted.
- Repeating rifles having a tubular magazine will not be permitted.
- Repeating rifles having a removable clip-type magazine will be permitted but must be used as single-loaders.
- 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.
- 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.
