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Firearm Safety

DHonovich

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Firearm Safety

From the time an individual picks up a firearm, that person becomes a part of a system over which he has complete control. He is the only part of the system that can make a gun safe - or unsafe.

Hunting and target shooting are among the safest of all sports. A firearm owner's manual is intended to make them even safer, by re-emphasizing and reaffirming the basics of safe gun handling and storage, and by reminding shooters that they are the key to firearms safety.

You can help meet this responsibility by enrolling in hunter safety or shooting safety courses. You must constantly stress safety when handling firearms, especially to children and nonshooters. Newcomers in particular, must be closely supervised when handling firearms with which they may not be acquainted.

Don't be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe anyone violating any safety precautions, you have an obligation to suggest better handling practices. Please read these rules carefully and follow the safety procedures outlined. Firearm safety is up to you. Make no mistake about it.

1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.
3. Don't rely on your gun's "safety."
4. Be sure of your target and what's behind it.
5. Use correct ammunition.
6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.
7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
8. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
9. Don't alter your gun and have your guns serviced regularly.
10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

Courtesy of Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc.
 
http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
NRA

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.

When using or storing a gun, always follow these NRA rules:

* Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

* Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

* Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

* Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

* Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.

* Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

* Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

* Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

* Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.

A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.

Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
 
There's 4 rules we lived by in the Army:

1. Always keep your finger off the trigger and the weapon on safe until you are ready to shoot.
2. Never point your weapon at anything you don't want to be held accountable for.
3. Be sure of your targets surroundings 540 degrees around it. First 360 around it then 180 from horizon to horizon.
4. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

I was taught these rules after having been in for about 4yrs. They depend mostly on the maturity of the individual holding the weapon. Always remember, SAFETY FIRST.
 
as they say, guns don't kill people, people kill people. these rules are solid.

i like how you mentioned to be aware of what's around your target, not just the target.
 
Indeed, if you don't pay attention and you get jumpy it would almost be better to not shoot. It's direly important to realize when it's ok to shoot and when not to shoot. Bystanders, victims, your teammates in the way, DON'T shoot. If you're workin a street howitzer, high power rifle or penetrating rounds then you don't wanna shoot at your tgt if there is something behind it, unless you're willing to put yourself behind the tgt while someone shoots at you, because you'll become a tgt as well
 
ALL of the above Plus my favorite

"KEEPYOURBOOGERHOOKOFTHETRIGGERANDIFYOUSWEEPMEAGAINIMKICKINYOURASS"

yelled as one word to a new member of an entry team, lol
 
Good points all the way around.

* Know how to use the gun SAFETY.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

Changed this just a bit. Some friends and I were out on the Eglin AFB reservation back in the '80's. One of my friends had my 20 ga pump. We had already fired the guns several times prior so everyone should have been familiar with the gun they carried. As we crossed a stream the lead guy says "snake in the water". Of course, we all started looking for it thinking it was a moccassin. After we got out of the water my friend with my SG asks "the Red on the safety button means safe, right?". I about crapped because he had been right behind me crossing the stream. I took the gun away, safed it and emptied it. We had ANOTHER class on weapons safety right there in the mud. So know your safety!
 
The rules are easily learned but the practice takes a long time.

Muzzle control and trigger finger discipline is usually quick indicator as to who has had experience and subconciously follows the rules vs having just memorized the text.

Good thread

Sent from my Mossberg 930 using Tapatalk2
 
Just took two people out shooting, two different occasions. The hardest part for them was the trigger control. They picked up on the safety pretty quick, and the functions of the guns. But when they would take the safety off, the finger went right on the trigger. I had to keep telling them to take their fingers off the trigger till they were on target. I thought it was interesting that two people, separated by two different range days had the same general safety issues. Something to watch out for on new shooters. Both loved shooting (they had never been).

Frank
 
its a good idea, to read that 10 safety firearm rules. tanks sir for that rules,
that,s useful for many peoples having high power guns.
 
pricejunix said:
By now, you probably know what guns are and what can happen if they fall into the wrong hands. Even though guns are featured in many television shows, video games, computer games, and movies, it's important to know that real guns are dangerous. Guns are so dangerous that they can hurt or even kill someone you know — including other kids.

^Sounds fishy to me... Troll alert
 
pricejunix said:
By now, you probably know what guns are and what can happen if they fall into the wrong hands. Even though guns are featured in many television shows, video games, computer games, and movies, it's important to know that real guns are dangerous. Guns are so dangerous that they can hurt or even kill someone you know — including other kids.

You do know you're talking to experts, right? Take your preaching elsewhere. :roll:
 
,,,,,get ready,,,,,
 

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There is one particular circumstance where most of these rules don't apply. That being in a combat, or potential combat, situation. Since most folks will never be in combat, the rules are good ones. In combat they can get you killed. It's important to know when you are in a combat situation and when you aren't, and use the rules that apply to that circumstance.
 
I know even I still have to remind myself of the rules sometimes, because it's very easy to becom complacent when you handle and shoot firearms often. Thanks for posting Dan, it's a good reference for those that might not be as "fluent" with firemars as the rest of us.
 
I have a job that requires me to be gone all week, and home every other weekend. We are moving the family this summer, but for now my job is in another state from my home. My wife is just now getting slightly interested in guns. She has a 9mm that we got for her and she carries it sometimes when she thinks about it. The problem is she is very short sighted, she will leave it in her purse by the back door of the house overnight (you're welcome, Mr. Burglar), or in the van overnght (you're welcome, Mr. Car thief) or out on the headboard, in plain sight all day (again, you're welcome Mr. Burglar).
I have tried to impress on her the importance of securing it, but she does not get it. I am thinking seriously about taking it away until she shows more maturity with it. But I don't want to leave her without some sort of home and personal protection while I am traveling with my job.
Money is short now as a result of our job situation, so professional training is not in the cards right now. Any ideas out there on how to make her understand that a gun is not a cell phone or a set of keys that don't need special security? She is very safety conscious when handling and shooting it, just not so much with securing it.
 
I think the best approach would to get some other gun owning women friends to bring the subject up with her about it from time to time at lunch or some other girl get together. Sort of a support group thing. It's not unusual for a woman to listen more to other women than to their husband/boy friend.
 
That would be a great idea, but my wife's girlfriends don't own guns. Most of her friends are divorced church group ladies that have no want or need for them.
My wife was against my guns totally when I first met her until I told her that I had grown up with guns, that they had been here long before her, and would be here long after she was gone.
That was the end of that conversation and we have been together now for over 20 years.
When I got back from Cincinnati Thursday, my wife's gun was in it's case, put away, but accessible. I talked to her for awhile about the safety and security issue and I think she will be better. Time will tell.
 
Next time you see it out where it's not supposed to be, take it and put it away somewhere. Then ask her where it is. Not being able to find it should bother her enough to get the point across when you explain to multiply that feeling by 1000% if she can't find it when she NEEDS it...
 
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