Physically Disabled Competitors

A shooter who because of physical disability cannot fire from one or more of the prescribed shooting positions outlined in these Rules, or who must use special equipment when firing, is privileged to petition the NRA Protest Committee for permission to assume a special position or to use modified equipment, or both.

The petition shall consist of a form provided by the NRA and shall specify in detail the reasons why the special position must be assumed or the special equipment must be used.

The petition will be accompanied by pictures of the shooter in the position he desires approved and, if special equipment is required, the picture will show how this equipment is used.

The petition and all pictures must be furnished in exact duplicate.

The petition must be accompanied by a medical doctor's statement if the physical disability is not completely evident in the pictures submitted.

Each petition will be reviewed by the NRA Protest Committee. The Committee may require additional or supplementary statements, medical information or pictures.

Upon approval, the NRA Secretary will issue a special authorization certificate to individual concerned. Such certificates will have necessary pictures attached.

Competitors who have received special authorization certificates are required to carry them when competing in tournaments governed by the NRA rules, and to present the certificates when requested by officials of the tournament or by the NRA Official Referees, or Supervisors.

In the event of a protest involving the position or the equipment used by such competitor, the Official Referee or Jury (or Executive Officer in non-sanctioned matches) will compare the position or equipment in question with the certificate and photographs presented by the competitor.

If the competitor's position or equipment does not conform to that authorized by the NRA Protest Committee, or if the competitor has no authorization certificate or pictures, the protest shall be allowed and the competitor will be required to change immediately to the position or equipment which has been approved or to an otherwise legal position or equipment.

Should a protest be carried beyond the Official Referee or Jury the original protest must be endorsed by the Referee or Jury to show the action taken and forwarded to the National Rifle Association.

National Records may not be established with scores fired in positions or equipment authorized according to this rule.

Two types of authorization are issued: temporary, and permanent. Permanent authorizations are issued only to competitors who are permanently disabled.

Any persons who have a temporary physical disability, as sustained by a current written medical opinion which prevents them from using a specified position as defined in this rule, may assume the next more difficult position in lieu of that position.

In this manner, sitting may be used for prone, kneeling may be used for sitting, and standing may be used for kneeling.

Any substitute position must conform to the rule which defines it.

The Match Director must be informed of the substitute, and may require that the substitute position be demonstrated so the Match Director may be certain that it meets the definition of the appropriate rule.