What constitutes a "range rule violation"?

A "range rule violation" is defined as any action that compromises safety or undermines the established protocols. This definition encompasses a wide array of unsafe behaviors and actions that could potentially lead to accidents or dangerous situations on the range. The primary focus of range rules is to ensure the safety of all participants, and any deviation from these rules that puts individuals at risk constitutes a violation.

In contrast, the other choices represent specific behaviors that may be inappropriate or undesirable on the range but do not fully encapsulate the broad range of actions that can compromise safety. For instance, while failing to wear hearing protection is a safety concern, it is a specific issue rather than a general principle of safety compromise. Similarly, arriving late to the range may disrupt planning and operations but does not directly threaten the safety of individuals or the integrity of range protocols. Using unauthorized ammunition can be serious, but the underlying principle of a violation is the broader impact on safety and regulations, making the first choice the most accurate representation of what constitutes a range rule violation.