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Basic Firearm Safety Rules
by Cate Rushton
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Overview
Basic Firearm Safety Rules
According to the National Safety Council there were 830 accidental deaths caused by firearms in 2007. Firearm injuries and deaths are preventable with proper education and adherence to basic firearm safety rules. If you own a gun it is your responsibility to handle it safely and to keep it out of reach of children. While firearms can be great fun when used for sport or hunting, they are also deadly weapons that should be treated with care and respect.
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Loaded or Unloaded?
Always treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Never point a weapon at a person, even if you believe it to be unloaded; many people are injured or killed this way.
Do not pull the trigger of a gun unless you have the intent to shoot what you are aiming at. Never joke around while holding a gun.
Do not use the scope on a rifle as a replacement for binoculars; a scope is meant to be used only when pointing your gun at a target.
Do not discharge your gun into the air; bullets can travel as far as a mile and a half and still hold enough energy to be fatal.
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Storage
Store firearms under lock and key, unloaded and with the action open or clip removed.
Loaded guns should not be kept in a home where children may access them. Trigger locks are one safety mechanism that will decrease your likelihood of unintended discharge, but you should not rely solely on them.
Ammunition should be stored separately from firearms, preferably in a locked case or safe.
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Familiarity
Be thoroughly familiar with your firearm before engaging in target practice or hunting. Know how to load and unload the weapon, and be familiar with the location of the safety mechanism and its use.
Make sure that holsters or grips do not interfere with the operation or removal of the gun and be familiar with snaps or releases.
Work with an instructor to learn proper technique and shooting skills.
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Shooting
Do not fire at any hard surfaces, including water. The shot may ricochet and severely kill or injure you or someone else.
Identify your target before pulling the trigger.
Be careful traversing terrain with your weapon. Do not climb a fence, jump a ditch or climb a tree with a loaded gun. Never lean a loaded gun up to a vehicle, tree or building, and always unload your gun before putting it in its case.
Do not discharge your firearm in a residential area, or any area where you do not know what is beyond your intended target.
Use only the intended ammunition for your firearm.
Alcohol and drugs are not compatible with loaded weapons. Do not use these substances before or during the time you handle your gun. The same rule applies to prescription medication.
Wear protective eyewear and earplugs on the shooting range.
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Maintenance
Maintain your firearm. Keep it clean and in good working condition.
Before cleaning your gun, make sure that it is unloaded.
If your firearm jams, do not attempt to fire it. If there is an obstruction inside the gun, the barrel may explode.
