Gun safety

Gun Safety

It's an attitude. There are people who take gun safety seriously and those who don't give it much thought. You are reading this so I presume you lean towards the first group...GOOD! Give yourself a quick pat on the back.

I would be remiss to have a website about rifles and not encourage safe usage. I encourage you to always think safety first when handling any firearm. Never let your guard down. Resolve to form safe gun handling habits and insist others around you to do the same. Let's look out for one another.

A few years ago, when I was a teenager, my father and I were at a friends house visiting. His two year old son walked up to me with his newest toy in hand, a live .30-06 cartridge! You should have seen his facial expression when I quickly snatched it from his hand. Nobody could explain how he got hold of it but you can bet his mama was not happy!

Not long after, I was grouse hunting with a buddy. We had finished hunting and were walking side by side on a two track road, headed for home. As we chatted, I looked toward him and noticed his shotgun muzzle pointed at my face. He graciously complied with my request to aim elsewhere. Moments later, however, I again found myself staring down the muzzle of his 12 gauge! You take gun safety quite seriously when the victim could be you!

Gun Safety Rules

The National Rifle Association has three safety rules that it considers basic. The fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling are:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

The NRA's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe^® program has taught millions of children four simple rules for kids. STOP... DON'T TOUCH... LEAVE THE AREA... TELL AN ADULT. If you have children please take a minute and teach them this.

Other Gun safety rules

Always assume a firearm is loaded. How many times after a shooting accident do we here the shooter say "I didn't think it was loaded"? Did he check? Of course not. Which leads into the next rule.

Always open the action and check to see if a gun is loaded before handling. Do it yourself. When handing the gun to someone else open the action so they can check for themselves.

Always be 100% sure of your target before shooting.

Always be aware of what is behind and near your target. When target shooting always use a soft earth backstop or hill to 'capture' your bullets. Never shoot toward a hard flat surface or water surface. The bullet will skip off water or frozen or hard packed soil. Be sure there are no people, pets, livestock, dwellings or vehicles beyond your intended target. Don't forget a bullet can easily travel more than a mile.

Make sure you understand how to properly use the gun before handling.

Never drink or use drugs when handling firearms.

Make sure your firearm is in good safe working condition before using. If unsure, have a gunsmith check it for you.

Check to see that there are no obstructions inside the barrel before firing. Do this of course while the gun is unloaded.

Do not rely totally on a mechanical safety. It could malfunction. Refer back to fundamental rule #1.

Be sure you are using the correct ammunition for your firearm. Not sure? Ask someone knowledgeable.

Wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

Store guns (unloaded) and ammo where children cannot access them. Please observe this rule even if you don't have children at home. You could have unexpected visitors!

This is not an exhaustive set of gun safety rules. There are particular situations not covered here. Let's use common sense and look out for each other.

"Am I my brothers keeper?" - Genesis 4:9

Learn about shooting range etiquette and safety.

Gun safety- M1 Garand
...It has some unique features that deserve special attention.

SBI!