FIREARMS SAFETY – TOP 5 MOST IMPORTANT RULES OF SAFE GUN HANDLING
Everywhere you are if you handle a firearm, safety always comes first. Here is a list of the top five most important rules of firearms safety.
1. ALWAYS KEEP THE FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE POSITION.
This is the foremost basic safety rule. Handling a weapon carefully by not directing it to places that you shouldn’t lead to the conclusion that there would be fewer gun accidents. It’s that easy, and it’s up to you.
Never directed your firearm at something you do not plan to shoot. This is especially important when loading or unloading a gun. In the event of an unplanned discharge, no injury can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe position.
A safe position is a position in which a bullet cannot possibly attack anyone. Taking into account possible ricochets and the fact that bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings.
The safe position could also 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 ought to never point the gun at an unsafe target.
Make sure to know exactly where the muzzle of your gun is pointing at all times. And make certain that you are in control of the direction in which the muzzle is pointing, albeit you fall or stumble. This is your responsibility. And only you’ll be able to control it.
2. FIREARMS SAFETY – ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN UNLOADED WHEN NOT ACTUALLY IN USE
The weapon must be loaded only when you’re ready to shoot on the target range or shooting area. When not in use, guns and ammunition should be secured in a safe place, set apart from each other. It’s your responsibility to prevent children and unauthorized adults from gaining access to firearms or ammunition.
Unload your gun as soon as you’re finished. A loaded gun shouldn’t be in or near a car, truck, or building. Unload your firearm as soon as you have finished shooting, well before you bring it into a car, camp, or home.
Every time you handle a firearm or hand it to somebody, always open the action immediately and visually check the chamber, receiver, and magazine to be sure they do not contain any ammunition. Never pretend a gun is unloaded — check for yourself! This is considered a symbol of a practiced gun handler!
Never cross a fence, climb a tree, or do any awkward activity with a loaded firearm. While in the field, there’ll be many times when common sense and the elementary rules of gun safety will require you to unload your arm for max safety. Never pull or push a loaded gun toward yourself or another person. There’s no excuse to hold a loaded gun in a scabbard, a holster not being worn, or a gun case. When in doubt, unload your gun!
3. BE CERTAIN OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT LIES BEYOND IT
No one can call a shot back. When you shoot, you have given up all the gun control over where the shot will go or what it’ll strike. Don’t shoot unless you know precisely what your shot is going to strike. Make sure that your bullet won’t injure anyone or anything beyond your target. Shooting at a movement or a sound without being utterly certain of what you’re shooting at constitutes disregard for the protection of other people.
No target is so crucial that you cannot take the time before you pull the trigger to be utterly certain of your target and where your shot will end.
Remember that also a short bullet can travel kilometers 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 variety of over half a mile.
4. FIREARMS SAFETY – USE CORRECT AMMUNITION
You must assume the intense responsibility of using only the right ammunition for your firearm. Read carefully and heed all warnings, including those that appear in the firearm’s handbook and on the ammunition boxes.
With numerous kinds of guns and types of munition, it’s not always simple to match the correct ammunition to your firearm exactly — but getting it right is critical. If you match the incorrect ammo to your fire gun, you can cause an explosion, hurting or perhaps killing yourself, or somebody. Be fully certain that the ammunition you’re using matches the specifications that are contained within the gun’s handbook and the manufacturer’s markings on the firearm.
Guns are tested to standards-based upon those of factory-loaded ammunition. Don’t use improper reloads or ammunition manufactured from unknown components.
The munition that has been submerged in water and wet must be disposed of safely. Don’t spray oil or solvents on ammunition or place ammunition in excessively lubricated firearms. Poor ignition, unsatisfactory performance, or harm to your gun and injury to yourself or other people could result from using such ammunition.
Form the habit of examining every cartridge you set into your gun. Never use ammunition that doesn’t look good, which means damaged or substandard — the cash you save isn’t worth the risk of possible serious hurt or a destroyed weapon.
5. LEARN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GUN YOU ARE USING
Not all firearms are similar. The tactic of carrying and handling guns differs according to the mechanical characteristics of each gun. Weapons are so diverse. So never handle any firearm without first having familiarized yourself with the actual kind of firearm you’re using. The safe gun handling rules for loading, unloading, carrying, and handling that firearm, and therefore the rules of safe gun handling generally.
For instance, many firearm manufacturers suggest that their handguns always be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber. Always read the handbook you received along with your gun, or if you have lost the manual, simply contact the manufacturer for a free copy.
Having a gun in your possession could also be a full-time job. You cannot guess; You cannot forget. You want to know how to use, handle, and store your firearm safely. Don’t use any firearm without having an entire understanding of its particular characteristics and safe use.
Hunting and target shooting can be classified as the safest of all sports. This list of most important rules is meant to help you to make them even safer by emphasizing the basics of safe gun handling and storage. You are the key to gun safety.
You must stress safety when handling guns, especially to children and non-shooters who are learning. Beginners, especially, must be closely supervised when handling firearms with which they may not be acquainted.
Don’t be timid when it involves gun safety. If you observe anyone violating any safety precautions. You have an obligation to enforce safer handling practices, like those on this site.
Remember the safety procedures, develop safe shooting habits, and always remember, firearms safety is up to you.