Safety Rules for the New Mexico Civil War Commemorative Congress
(As of January 21, 2004)
The worst thing that can happen at any reenactment is an accident. Therefore, it is the intent of the Event Sponsors for all participants to be extremely safety conscious at all times. The rules listed below are the "minimum guidelines." Unit Commanders will be held responsible for their groups' compliance with these rules, and each participant is expected to go beyond the minimums in considering the safety of others during each activity. The New Mexico Civil War Commemorative Congress has appointed safety officers who have the authority to ban anyone, or their equipment, from the camps and/or battles due to safety considerations. These safety officers will be obeyed in matters of safety, regardless of the respective ranks or unit affiliations of the persons involved.
1) ALL PARTICIPANTS must register prior to any involvement in the Event.
2) SAFETY: A Safety Inspection of all weapons, charges, and loading procedures will be held each day. For inspection, all weapons must be unloaded and all participants must attend inspection.
3) WEAPONS: Only Civil War period weapons may be brought into the encampment and demonstration areas. No projectiles of any kind shall be brought to the Event. Non-disintegrating wadding shall be prohibited. No wadding of any kind will be introduced into the barrel of any weapon during opposition firing. Anyone wishing to participate in any battle scenario must be at least 15 years of age. Children under the age of 15 who are participating as members of the field music (playing an instrument), will be the only exception to this age limit. No one shall carry a weapon who is not fully trained in its safe use, and be able to demonstrate firing and loading procedures at the request of a provost or any NMCWCC member (civilians included).
4) WEAPONS/GEAR-UNAUTHORIZED HANDLING: Touching or handling of weapons or personal gear of another reenactor without permission is strictly forbidden. There will be no cartridges containing powder given to spectators for any reason.
5) POWDER: All powder and primers shall be under constant, direct supervision of a member of each unit at all times or locked in a spark proof container. A 25 foot "no smoking” zone will be maintained around any black powder magazine. All powder cartridges must be prepared prior to the Event in accordance with the national Safety Rules. (No more than 2 ounces of cannon grade powder per inch of bore diameter for the artillery pieces. For small arms, the maximum charge will be the service charge). Artillery cartridges must be wrapped in at least four layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Loose powder may not be brought unless contained in period flasks. There will be no direct loading from flasks.
6) EDGED WEAPONS: All edged weapons (bayonets, swords, knives, etc.) will remain sheathed during all combat situations, however, Officers and NCOs may use swords for command and direction of troops, but not for fighting.
7) HAND-TO-HAND-COMBAT: There will be no hand-to-hand at any time "unless" pre-choreographed and approved by the safety officer.
8) UNIT AND INDIVIDUAL FIRE: During tactical and scripted battles: THE USE OF RAMRODS WHILE ON THE BATTLEFIELD IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED. Participants found to be using ramrods will be removed from the field.
9) DIRECT FIRE - SMALL ARMS FIRE: The following range restrictions will be followed at all times. No direct firing at combatants will occur at distances less than:
1. Long Arms (Shotguns, Rifles, and Muskets) - 50 feet
2. Handguns - 30 feet
10) THE SITE: Artifacts and /or structures are not to be disturbed.
11) CAVALRY: Cavalry charges are prohibited. Persons bringing horses are responsible for the care and safety of their own animals as well as the safety of humans in the vicinity of their animals.
12) HORSES: Horses are the property of other people and should not be touched or bothered. (See rule 4.)
13) ARTILLERY: Only authorized personnel assigned to that gun shall touch an artillery piece. Artillery pieces will not be loaded or fired if anyone is within a 45° "cone" on each side and 75 yards in front of the muzzle, or if any spectator is within a 50' radius centered on the lunette. No powder shall be introduced into the muzzle unless at least three minutes have elapsed since the last shot was fired. In the case of a misfire, both rammers shall be placed on the tops of the wheels and crossed to mark the gun as "hot".
14) SPECTATOR INTERFERENCE: Watch for wayward spectators entering the field of engagement. All hostile activity must cease until they have been safely removed.
15) TACTICALS: Tactical battle is limited to designated hours and areas. Participation is optional.
16) CHILDREN: Although children are welcome at our Event, they must remain under the control of a responsible adult. Unsupervised or "rowdy" children will not be tolerated. Parents or guardians who do not control children in their care will be asked to leave the Event with their children.
17) FIRES: Burning Campfires must be attended AT ALL TIMES. A supply of water must be kept in the vicinity of any campfire. Locate fire pits a safe distance from tents and awnings. Keep all vegetation and bedding straw away from fire pits.
18) ALCOHOL: Drunkenness will not be tolerated. There will be no firing, of any type, of weapon within eight (8) hours of consuming alcohol.
Nmcwc Congress Safety Rules Are To Be Read To The Units/Troops Following Each Safety Inspection During The Event.
Officers And Nco's Shall Have A Copy Of The Congress Safety Rules On Their Person At All Times During The Event.
All Nmcwc Congress Members Have The Authority Of Safety Officer For The Duration Of Congress Events.
Be Advised That The Public Battles Are Scripted And That Charges And Hand-To-Hand Combat Must Be Cleared In Advance With The Camp Commanders And Clearly Addressed At Officers Call.
Be Advised That The Nmcwc Congress Safety Rules Are In Force During The Whole Event; Including The Tactical And/Or Such Related Activities.
The Safety Rules May Be Amended Or Revised, Prior To The Event, To Meet Congress Needs.
The Safety Officers Will Have Specific Safety Concerns For Cavalry And Artillery That May Not Be Included In This Event Packet.
Nmcwc Congress Has Appointed Camp Commanders And All Participants, Including Civilians, Shall Recognize Them And Their Officers Authority During The Entire Event.
Be Advised That The Museum Has Placed Limits On Access To Some Of Their Structures And Property. This Concern Will Be Defined At Officers Call.
Mandatory Attendance For Officers Call: Agenda Will Include Specifics For Event Planning/Schedules, The Safety Concerns For The Event, Museum Restrictions, And Any Event Issues/Resolutions, Etc.