What must happen before anyone can go downrange during practice?

Before anyone can go downrange during practice, all rifles must be checked and grounded. This step is crucial for ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Grounding the rifles means ensuring they are placed in a safe position that prevents any possibility of unintentional discharge. This practice protects individuals who may be moving downrange to check or replace targets, as it eliminates any risk associated with live ammunition being present while individuals are in the area where the rifles are pointed.

The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not specifically address the immediate safety requirement of ensuring that firearms are rendered safe by being grounded before anyone can approach or move downrange.