Section 7: Violations & Penalties
7.1 Equipment Violations
- Shooting jacket/trousers stiffness: Measured by ISSF stiffness gauge before competition. If material exceeds the stiffness limit, the garment must be replaced before the athlete can compete.
- Trigger weight below minimum: Firearm must be adjusted to comply before the athlete may start; if discovered during competition, the shot(s) fired may be annulled
- Unauthorized modifications: Any modification to the firearm not permitted by ISSF rules (e.g., adding weights, aerodynamic aids, optical sights in events that prohibit them) results in equipment disqualification until the firearm is corrected
- Ammunition violations: Use of ammunition exceeding the permitted load (shotgun) or calibre results in DSQ
7.2 Firing Violations
- Cross-fire: Shooting at another athlete’s target (rifle/pistol) — the shot is scored as a miss (0) for the shooter and the affected athlete receives a re-fire opportunity
- Exceeding time limit: Shots fired after the time expires are scored as misses (0)
- Premature firing (rapid fire): Raising the pistol before the targets turn — the series is scored as a warning; repeated offense results in a 2-point deduction
- Accidental discharge: First offense is a warning (yellow card). Second offense is a 2-point deduction (green card). Third offense may result in DSQ (red card).
- Slow fire: If an athlete delays unreasonably, the CRO may issue a warning; continued delay results in a time limit being imposed
7.3 Conduct Violations
- Disruptive behavior on the firing line (loud conversation, excessive movement, coaching): warning, then 2-point deduction
- Refusing to comply with Range Officer commands: immediate removal from the firing line and potential DSQ
- Unsportsmanlike conduct (protesting aggressively, damaging equipment): formal warning to DSQ depending on severity
- Doping violations handled per WADA code: provisional suspension and results invalidation
7.4 Protest Procedure
- Protests regarding scoring must be filed within 15 minutes of the score being displayed
- Protests regarding equipment or rule violations must be filed before the end of the competition
- Protest fee required (refunded if the protest is upheld); jury decision is final at the competition level
- Appeals beyond the competition jury may be made to the ISSF Jury of Appeal