This is from Shamrock Sadie, a noted expert of our rules, and Frank Stilwell, ACSA's new TG. Neither are on this forum because publicly, it does not exist. So I decided to post this as the first post when this forum goes on-line.

Pale Wolf Brunelle posted a clarification on the Wire regarding the hammer back on the rifle. It’s a clarification of the recent rule change, folks; the RO Committee did not change a rule. Here ya’ go:

1) Shooter stages cocked rifle with live/unfired round in the chamber.

SDQ for moving from the Loading Table (LT) to the stage w/rifle in that condition.

SDQ for staging rifle in that condition (as soon as it leaves the shooter's hands) = MDQ for “Two SDQ violations on the same stage” – Shooter's Hand Book (SHB) p.24

2) Shooter stages cocked rifle with empty chamber.

SDQ for staging the rifle with the hammer cocked (as soon as it leaves the shooter’s hands).

No additional penalty for "changing location" (moving from the LT) under the rule change.

3) Shooter has cocked rifle "in hand" to start.

Drop the hammer
If chamber empty = NO CALL
If chamber loaded = SDQ

Applicable rules:

- Staging or discarding a long gun containing a live round in the chamber (once it leaves the shooter’s hands).

- Changing location/moving with a live round under a cocked hammer or firearm with the hammer down on a live round.

- Changing location with a long gun with the action closed and the hammer cocked (exception for rifle from the loading table to the stage with no round chambered).

SHB p.23 "STAGE DISQUALIFICATION PENALTY"

Safety & Handling Conventions – Rifles

- Rifles may be staged with the magazine loaded, action closed, hammer fully down on the empty chamber (NOT the safety notch), with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction (adheres to the 170° rule).
SHB p.15

Cocked – hammer not fully down (full, half-cock or safety notch).
Hammer down – hammer fully down at its final resting position.
SHB pp.44-45 “Glossary of Terms”

find the thread on the SASS Forum HERE.

So that's clear now, right?