Firearms Safety
Safety First and Foremost
Firearms safety depends solely on the user.
Firearms are safe when in the hands of properly trained individuals,
and the proper safety measures in place. Firearm safety and safe
handling is a high priority.
National Rifle Association (NRA) and National Shooting Sports
Foundation (NSSF) are cornerstones of firearms safe handling.
With permission from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the 10
rules of safe gun handling. For other valuable firearms safe
handling information visit the NSSF and NRA websites www.nssf.org
and www.nra.com.
1. Always Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction
This is the most basic safety rule. If everyone handled a firearm so
carefully that the muzzle never pointed at something they didn't
intend to shoot, there would be virtually no firearms accidents.
It's as simple as that, and it's up to you.
Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This is
particularly important when loading or unloading a firearm. In the
event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as the
muzzle is pointing in a safe direction.
A safe direction means a direction in which a bullet cannot possibly
strike anyone, taking into account possible ricochets and the fact
that bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings. The safe direction
may be "up" on some occasions or "down" on others, but never at
anyone or anything not intended as a target. Even when "dry firing"
with an unloaded gun, you should never point the gun at an unsafe
target.
Make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is
pointing at all times, and be sure that you are in control of the
direction in which the muzzle is pointing, even if you fall or
stumble. This is your responsibility, and only you can control it.
2. Firearms Should Be Unloaded When Not Actually In Use
Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the
target range or shooting area, ready to shoot. When not in use,
firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place, separate
from each other. It is your responsibility to prevent children and
unauthorized adults from gaining access to firearms or ammunition.
Unload your gun as soon as you are finished. A loaded gun has no
place in or near a car, truck or building. Unload your gun
immediately when you have finished shooting, well before you bring
it into a car, camp or home.
Whenever you handle a firearm or hand it to someone, always open the
action immediately, and visually check the chamber, receiver and
magazine to be certain they do not contain any ammunition. Always
keep actions open when not in use. Never assume a gun is
unloaded—check for yourself! This is considered a mark of an
experienced gun handler!
Never cross a fence, climb a tree or perform any awkward action with
a loaded gun. While in the field, there will be times when common
sense and the basic rules of firearms safety will require you to
unload your gun for maximum safety. Never pull or push a loaded
firearm toward yourself or another person. There is never any excuse
to carry a loaded gun in a scabbard, a holster not being worn or a
gun case. When in doubt, unload your gun!
3. Don't Rely On Your Gun's "Safety"
Treat every gun as though it can fire at any time. The "safety" on
any gun is a mechanical device which, like any such device, can
become inoperable at the worst possible time. Besides, by mistake,
the safety may be "off" when you think it is "on." The safety serves
as a supplement to proper gun handling but cannot possibly serve as
a substitute for common sense. You should never handle a gun
carelessly and assume that the gun won't fire just because the
"safety is on."
Never touch the trigger on a firearm until you actually intend to
shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading or
unloading. Never pull the trigger on any firearm with the safety on
the "safe" position or anywhere in between "safe" and "fire." It is
possible that the gun can fire at any time, or even later when you
release the safety, without your ever touching the trigger again.
Never place the safety in between positions, since half-safe is
unsafe. Keep the safety "on" until you are absolutely ready to fire.
Regardless of the position of the safety, any blow or jar strong
enough to actuate the firing mechanism of a gun can cause it to
fire. This can happen even if the trigger is not touched, such as
when a gun is dropped. Never rest a loaded gun against any object
because there is always the possibility that it will be jarred or
slide from its position and fall with sufficient force to discharge.
The only time you can be absolutely certain that a gun cannot fire
is when the action is open and it is completely empty. Again, never
rely on your gun's safety. You and the safe gun handling procedures
you have learned are your gun's primary safeties.
4. Be Sure Of Your Target And What's Beyond It
No one can call a shot back. Once a gun fires, you have given up all
control over where the shot will go or what it will strike. Don't
shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike. Be
sure that your bullet will not injure anyone or anything beyond your
target. Firing at a movement or a noise without being absolutely
certain of what you are shooting at constitutes disregard for the
safety of others. No target is so important that you cannot take the
time before you pull the trigger to be absolutely certain of your
target and where your shot will stop.
Be aware that even a 22 short bullet can travel over 11/4 miles and
a high velocity cartridge, such as a 30-06, can send its bullet more
than 3 miles. Shotgun pellets can travel 500 yards, and shotgun
slugs have a range of over half a mile.
You should keep in mind how far a bullet will travel if it misses
your intended target or ricochets in another direction.
5. Use Correct Ammunition
You must assume the serious responsibility of using only the correct
ammunition for your firearm. Read and heed all warnings, including
those that appear in the gun's instruction manual and on the
ammunition boxes.
Using improper or incorrect ammunition can destroy a gun and cause
serious personal injury. It only takes one cartridge of improper
caliber or gauge to wreck your gun, and only a second to check each
one as you load it. Be absolutely certain that the ammunition you
are using matches the specifications that are contained within the
gun's instruction manual and the manufacturer's markings on the
firearm.
Firearms are designed, manufactured and proof tested to standards
based upon those of factory loaded ammunition. Handloaded or
reloaded ammunition deviating from pressures generated by factory
loads or from component recommendations specified in reputable
handloading manuals can be dangerous, and can cause severe damage to
guns and serious injury to the shooter. Do not use improper reloads
or ammunition made of unknown components.
Ammunition that has become very wet or has been submerged in water
should be discarded in a safe manner. Do not spray oil or solvents
on ammunition or place ammunition in excessively lubricated
firearms. Poor ignition, unsatisfactory performance or damage to
your firearm and harm to yourself or others could result from using
such ammunition.
Form the habit of examining every cartridge you put into your gun.
Never use damaged or substandard ammunition—the money you save is
not worth the risk of possible injury or a ruined gun.
6. If Your Gun Fails To Fire When The Trigger Is Pulled, Handle With
Care!
Occasionally, a cartridge may not fire when the trigger is pulled.
If this occurs, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep
your face away from the breech. Then, carefully open the action,
unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.
Any time there is a cartridge in the chamber, your gun is loaded and
ready to fire even if you've tried to shoot and it did not go off.
It could go off at any time, so you must always remember Rule #1 and
watch that muzzle!
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms
or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other
substances known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other
serious physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times.
Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
7. Always Wear Eye And Ear Protection When Shooting
All shooters should wear protective shooting glasses and some form
of hearing protectors while shooting. Exposure to shooting noise can
damage hearing, and adequate vision protection is essential.
Shooting glasses guard against twigs, falling shot, clay target
chips and the rare ruptured case or firearm malfunction. Wearing eye
protection when disassembling and cleaning any gun will also help
prevent the possibility of springs, spring tension parts, solvents
or other agents from contacting your eyes. There is a wide variety
of eye and ear protectors available. No target shooter, plinker or
hunter should ever be without them.
Most rules of shooting safety are intended to protect you and others
around you, but this rule is for your protection alone. Furthermore,
having your hearing and eyes protected will make your shooting
easier and will help improve your enjoyment of the shooting sports.
8. Be Sure The Barrel Is Clear Of Obstructions Before Shooting
Before you load your firearm, open the action and be certain that no
ammunition is in the chamber or magazine. Be sure the barrel is
clear of any obstruction. Even a small bit of mud, snow, excess
lubricating oil or grease in the bore can cause dangerously
increased pressures, causing the barrel to bulge or even burst on
firing, which can cause injury to the shooter and bystanders. Make
it a habit to clean the bore and check for obstructions with a
cleaning rod immediately before you shoot it. If the noise or recoil
on firing seems weak or doesn't seem quite "right," cease firing
immediately and be sure to check that no obstruction or projectile
has become lodged in the barrel.
Placing a smaller gauge or caliber cartridge into a gun (such as a
20-gauge shell in a 12-gauge shotgun) can result in the smaller
cartridge falling into the barrel and acting as a bore obstruction
when a cartridge of proper size is fired. This can cause a burst
barrel or worse. This is really a case where "haste makes waste."
You can easily avoid this type of accident by paying close attention
to each cartridge you insert into your firearm.
9. Don't Alter Or Modify Your Gun, And Have Guns Serviced Regularly
Firearms are complicated mechanisms that are designed by experts to
function properly in their original condition. Any alteration or
change made to a firearm after manufacture can make the gun
dangerous and will usually void any factory warranties. Do not
jeopardize your safety or the safety of others by altering the
trigger, safety or other mechanism of any firearm or allowing
unqualified persons to repair or modify a gun. You'll usually ruin
an expensive gun. Don't do it!
Your gun is a mechanical device that will not last forever and is
subject to wear. As such, it requires periodic inspection,
adjustment and service. Check with the manufacturer of your firearm
for recommended servicing.
10. Learn The Mechanical And Handling Characteristics Of The Firearm
You Are Using
Not all firearms are the same. The method of carrying and handling
firearms varies in accordance with the mechanical characteristics of
each gun. Since guns can be so different, never handle any firearm
without first having thoroughly familiarized yourself with the
particular type of firearm you are using, the safe gun handling
rules for loading, unloading, carrying and handling that firearm,
and the rules of safe gun handling in general.For example, many
handgun manufacturers recommend that their handguns always be
carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber. This is
particularly true for older single-action revolvers, but applies
equally to some double-action revolvers or semiautomatic pistols.
You should always read and refer to the instruction manual you
received with your gun, or if you have misplaced the manual, simply
contact the manufacturer for a free copy.
Having a gun in your possession is a full-time job. You cannot
guess; you cannot forget. You must know how to use, handle and store
your firearm safely. Do not use any firearm without having a
complete understanding of its particular characteristics and safe
use. There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.