Safety Policy

Firearm Mentorship Network ("FMN") — https://firearmmentorshipnetwork.com

1. Purpose and Scope

Safety is the foundation of responsible firearms training. This Safety Policy sets minimum expectations for everyone who uses the Firearm Mentorship Network ("FMN" or the "Platform")—Participants, Guardians, Instructors, and Mentors—and explains FMN's safety tools and limits. It is part of FMN's Terms of Service.

Important: FMN is a networking platform. FMN does not provide, supervise, or attend Training and cannot guarantee anyone's safety. Instructors and Mentors ("Providers") are independent and are solely responsible for the safe conduct of their Training. Every participant remains responsible for their own safe conduct. In any emergency, call 911 first.

2. Universal Firearm Safety Rules

All users must follow these fundamental rules at all times during any Training arranged through the Platform:

1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded until you have personally verified it is unloaded—and then continue to handle it as if it were loaded.
2. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until your sights are on the target and you have made the decision to fire.
4. Be sure of your target and what is in front of it and beyond it.
5. Use the correct ammunition for the firearm, and never use a firearm you believe may be damaged or malfunctioning.
6. Wear appropriate eye and ear protection whenever firearms are being fired, and wherever required by the range or Provider.
7. Never handle firearms while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, drugs (including prescription medications that affect judgment or coordination), fatigue, or illness.
8. Follow all range commands and the instructions of the Provider and range safety officer (RSO) immediately. Anyone may call "CEASE FIRE" if they see an unsafe condition.
9. Store and transport firearms safely and lawfully, unloaded and secured as required by law and range rules.

3. Provider Safety Responsibilities

Providers must, at a minimum:

• Hold and maintain the qualifications they represent, and teach only within the scope of their training and experience;
• Conduct a safety briefing before any live-fire or hands-on activity, including emergency procedures, the location of first-aid/trauma supplies, and how to call a cease fire;
• Use only lawful, approved ranges or facilities and follow all range rules; never conduct live fire in unapproved or unsafe locations;
• Maintain an appropriate instructor-to-participant ratio for the activity and experience level (recommended: 1:1 or 1:2 on the firing line for new shooters and all Minors);
• Inspect any Provider-supplied firearms and equipment for safe function; use dummy/inert rounds for classroom manipulation; keep live ammunition out of classroom areas;
• Have a trauma/first-aid kit (including a tourniquet) readily available and a plan for contacting emergency services, including the range address and nearest trauma center;
• Refuse or remove anyone who appears impaired, behaves unsafely, ignores commands, or who the Provider reasonably believes is prohibited by law from possessing firearms or ammunition;
• Follow all federal, state, and local laws, including laws concerning minors and firearms (e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 922(x)) and laws on temporary transfers or loans of firearms; and
• Report any incident involving injury, negligent discharge, or threat to safety@firearmmentorshipnetwork.com within 24 hours, in addition to any reports required by law or the range.

4. Participant Safety Responsibilities

Participants must:

• Disclose relevant experience honestly and accurately, and disclose any physical or medical condition that may affect safe participation (to the Provider, not in public content);
• Attend the safety briefing and follow every instruction of the Provider and RSO;
• Arrive sober and fit to participate;
• Bring firearms only as permitted by the Provider and range, and transport them unloaded, cased, and in compliance with law;
• Not participate if legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition; and
• Stop and ask whenever unsure.

5. Youth Safety

Minors may participate only in Youth Classes booked through a Guardian account under the Parent/Guardian Consent and Minor Participation Agreement. In addition:

• The Guardian must attend, or remain responsible for the Minor as described in that agreement;
• Minors must be under direct, continuous, arm's-length supervision on the firing line (1:1 recommended);
• Providers must use age- and size-appropriate firearms and equipment and comply with all laws on minors and firearms;
• Providers may not communicate with a Minor privately, transport a Minor, or be alone with a Minor out of view of other adults; all communication goes through the Guardian; and
• Providers offering Youth Classes must satisfy any additional youth-screening requirement FMN adopts, such as a reported background check.

Any suspected abuse or neglect of a Minor should be reported to law enforcement or your state child-protective services agency, and to safety@firearmmentorshipnetwork.com.

6. Meeting Safely

• Keep communications on the Platform until you are comfortable; never share financial account passwords or send money by wire or gift card.
• Train at established ranges or public, reputable facilities, especially for first meetings.
• Tell a friend or family member where you will be and when.
• Verify credentials independently (for example, by contacting the certifying organization) and ask about insurance and range arrangements.
• Trust your instincts. You may cancel or leave any Training that feels unsafe.

7. Prohibited Conduct

The following are prohibited and may result in immediate removal and, where appropriate, a report to law enforcement:

• Unsafe handling of firearms, or willfully ignoring safety rules or commands;
• Any use of the Platform to arrange a sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition;
• Threats, violence, harassment, stalking, sexual misconduct, or grooming behavior;
• Training intended to facilitate crime, violence against others, or unlawful firearm modification;
• Impairment during Training; and
• Misrepresenting credentials, insurance, or background-check status.

8. FMN's Safety Tools and Their Limits

FMN offers application review for Providers, optional background-check status display, message moderation, reviews, blocking, and reporting. These tools help but are not a guarantee. FMN does not verify every claim and does not monitor Training in person. Please use your own judgment.

9. Reporting and Response

• Emergencies: Call 911.
• Safety reports: safety@firearmmentorshipnetwork.com or the "Report" button on any profile, message, or class.
• What happens next: FMN will review reports promptly, giving priority to safety reports, may contact the parties, may restrict accounts during review, and may remove users, content, or classes. FMN may preserve records and cooperate with law enforcement as described in the Privacy Policy.
• No retaliation: Retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith is prohibited.

10. Changes

FMN may update this Safety Policy at any time. Material changes will be announced on the Platform.

Questions: safety@firearmmentorshipnetwork.com