It's not hard,
Other sports have these rules, even ones that work inside square ranges with berms in 3 directions. The only difficulty I see is shooting over a target, because of the perception of that from an inexperienced observers point of view might appear farther over the top than it actually is.
As it stands most decisions are left to the MD as the Series does not really get involved in the running of a match only in the management of the scores. I personally think it is a mistake, the series should also manage the shooters too as competitors in their given series.
But if you really wanted to tackle safety on a broad scale you can do it with very little effort.
How about a 10-yard rule, any round impacting +/- 10 yards away from the plate is a stoppage and Stage DQ. Too much, too little, look at the practical application of the rule on a few different ranges, pick a big square range, a small square range and a field course and see what it looks like visually.
Seems like your point is to leave everything alone and just let guys do whatever until something happens that gives the entire industry a black eye.
I mean a quick look 3GUN Nation has rules laid out pretty detailed I am sure they evolved over time, but still look at few that might apply
Long Guns: When stipulated in the WSB the long gun MUST be shouldered from the strong side and fired from the strong hand only. The support hand is allowed to contact the firearm provided it’s shouldered and fired from the support side and hand.
The capitalized "MUST" was theirs, not mine.
The Abandon rules have a bunch of DQ situations
3.1.2 All 180-Degree rules apply and the competitor must be safely behind the firearm while handling or reusing abandoned firearms.
Note 1: An abandoned firearm breaking the 180-Degree safety plane WILL result in a match DQ.
Note 2: All long guns must be inserted into designated grounding containers muzzle down or a match DQ WILL be issued.
There is no wiggle room, which is something the PR Crowd tries to avoid, they want their cake and eat it too
6.0 PENALTIES
Penalties are actions that equate to additional time added to the score based on the severity of the action.
If issued a DQ the competitor will not be allowed to continue in the event, will not be eligible for prizes and will receive no score.
Note 1: Safety violations will NOT be subject to arbitration.
We have a ton of other sports in this space to look at and learn from,
More 3GUN Rules
6.6.2 FIREARM CONTROL:
6.6.2.1 A competitor that drops or loses control of a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at any time after the "Make Ready" command and before the "Range is Clear" command is issued will receive a match DQ.
Note: This includes any firearm, loaded or unloaded, that falls to the ground after being abandoned or grounded during the COF.
Exception: Dropping an unloaded firearm before the "Make Ready" command or after the "Range is Clear" command will not result in disqualification provided the firearm is retrieved and verified safe by an Range Official only.
Example: Range Officials can include Match Director, Range Master and Range Officers.
Here is their ND Policy
6.6.4 NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE:
6.6.4.1 A negligent discharge that occurs while loading, reloading, unloading, while transitioning a long gun off or back to the shoulder, during malfunction and remedial action, clearing a firearm, transferring a firearm between hands, or during movement (except while shooting at legitimate targets) will result in a match DQ.
Definition: An unintentional shot (including a slam-fire) which travels over a backstop, a berm, or impacts anything deemed by the event organizers to be unsafe.
Note: In the case of a negligent discharge, the RO will stop the competitor as soon as safely possible.
Exception: A competitor who fires a shot at a legitimate target, which impacts and travels in an unsafe direction, through ricochet or bounce will NOT result in a match DQ.
I personally don't think a guy who misses by 3ft committed an ND but a guy who slips and misses by 3ft committed an ND. Which is really the only gray area and why you need a experienced RO.
Last set of quotes
6.6.5 180-DEGREE SAFETY PLANE:
6.6.5.1 A competitor that allows the muzzle of a firearm to break the 180-Degree Safety Plane will be issued a match DQ.
Exception: Except with a pistol while holstered, drawing and reholstering.
Definition: The 180-Degree safety plane is defined by an arc both horizontal and vertical that is created when the competitor is standing facing squarely downrange and parallel to, the designated backstop used on the bay to define the 180-Degree safety line on that particular stage.
Note: Any position where the muzzle points back towards the mouth of the bay past the designated 180-Degree safety line is a violation of this rule and considered an unsafe action.
6.6.6 SWEEPING:
6.6.6.1 A competitor that allows the muzzle of a firearm to sweep over or past one’s self including but not limited to their hands, fingers, legs and feet while moving, shooting or reloading a firearm will be issued a match DQ.
Definition: Sweeping is defined as, allowing the muzzle of the firearm (loaded or unloaded) to cross or cover any portion of a person or an object a person might reasonably be assumed to occupy, such as a car, portable toilet, or structure that is not a prop within the current stage.
6.6.7 TRIGGER DISCIPLINE:
6.6.7.1 The competitor’s fingers must be visibly outside the trigger guard when moving, loading, reloading or unloading during a COF and while clearing a malfunction. Failure to comply with any Verbal Warnings will result in a Match DQ.
Exception: When actually aiming or shooting at targets or while complying with the “Make Ready” command to lower the hammer of a pistol without a de-cocking lever.
Why safety is even a discussion is a bit beyond me when you look at how others break down the rules of a shooting game.