Meta: Guns are outstanding
tools if you know how to use them properly and in a safe manner. Here are 12
critical safety rules you need to follow.
H1: 12 Critical Gun Safety
Rules You Can't Ignore
Guns
are outstanding tools, both for pleasure and business. But before you purchase
or use a gun, it’s essential that you understand how to do it safely. Knowing
the safety rules will allow you to enjoy your gun in a responsible manner. It
will also prevent you and those you care about from getting injured.
In
addition to learning these rules yourself, you should also teach these to
anyone who will be shooting with you. This ensures maximum safety for everyone.
Here
are 12 critical gun safety rules you can’t afford to ignore.
#1 - Understand How To
Properly Use A Gun
It’s
the classic movie scene. Someone holds a gun for the first time and begins
swinging it around, randomly pointing it at things. “Woah, watch you’re
pointing that thing!” someone will yell.
It’s
a scene that always good for a few laughs, but it also touches on reality. Too
many people don’t know how to safely operate a gun. They don’t understand how
to properly load and unload ammunition, hold a gun, or operate the safety. Or,
they rely too heavily on the safety, forgetting that there’s always a
possibility it could fail.
The
first and most important gun safety rule is to learn how to properly use a gun. The number one cause
of accidents is always going to be improper use of firearms. Learning how to
properly use guns goes a long way toward creating safety.
#2 - Ensure The Gun Is Safe
To Use
When
was the last time you performed maintenance on your firearm? Remember, guns are
just like every other tool. They require consistent maintenance to function
properly. You wouldn’t endlessly use a saw without ever sharpening the blade. A
dull blade can lead to the saw malfunctioning, which in turn can cause injury.
The
same goes for guns. If you don’t regularly clean, repair, and maintain your
firearms, there’s a good chance something will go wrong at the worst time. You
certainly don’t want your gun to malfunction when you, a family member, or a
friend is using it.
If
you don’t know how to perform effective gun maintenance, consider using a
gunsmith.
Here’s
a length tutorial about gun maintenance:
#3 - Only Use The Proper
Ammunition
Not
all ammunition is created equal. You can’t pop bullets out of one gun, stick
them in the magazine of another, and then begin shooting. Well, you can do
that, but it’s a terrible idea.
Why?
To state the obvious, different firearms require different ammunition. Just
like you can’t use diesel fuel in a standard car, you can’t interchange
ammunition between different guns.
Only
use the ammunition intended for your firearm. Most guns have the ammunition
type stamped on the barrel. Boxes of ammunition have the type listed on the
side and the cartridges themselves usually have the type of ammo stamped on
them.
EMBED:
https://youtu.be/nFrymxhFj7c
#4 - Always Keep Your Muzzle
Pointed In A Safe Direction
This
is one of the most basic rules of gun safety. In fact, if people always
followed this rule, the number of accidents would be dramatically reduced, if
not completely eliminated.
Pointing
your muzzle in a safe direction means never
pointing your gun at a target you don’t intend to shoot. You should even
maintain this habit while loading and unloading your gun or dry firing it.
This
is your number one responsibility when using a firearm, even if you stumble.
You must control your muzzle and keep it pointed in a safe direction.
#5 - Know What You’re
Shooting At
You
know the old maxim that says, “Measure twice, cut once”? It similar for firing
a gun. Always look twice (or many more times) before you shoot. You absolutely
must establish your target, especially if you’re in an area where it’s
difficult to see. The last thing you want is to fire at what you think is an
animal, only to realize it’s a person.
That’s
every gun owner’s worst nightmare. Every year, approximately 1,000 people are accidentally
shot by hunters, which is a relatively small number given the millions of
people who hunt. But still, this shows the necessity of knowing your target.
Additionally,
it’s crucial to know what’s beyond your target. Remember, your bullets can
travel an enormous length beyond your target. If you don’t know what lies
behind, there’s a chance you could accidentally strike a structure or even a
person.
#6 - Keep Your Finger Off The
Trigger Until You Are Ready To Fire
As
long as your finger is away from the
trigger, you won’t accidentally shoot the gun. By observing this rule, you can
always avoid a negligent or accidental discharge.
When
you pick up your gun, do so with your finger off the trigger. When you point at
your target, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
This,
along with always keeping your muzzle in a safe direction, will significantly reduce the risk of injury.
#7 - Wear Ear and Eye
Protection As Appropriate
Most
guns create loud noises when firing, which can lead to ear damage if
appropriate precautions aren’t taken. Firearms cans also discharge gases and
debris, which have the potential to hurt your eyes. Depending on your target,
bullets striking things can also cause debris to fly through the air.
When
appropriate, you should wear ear and eye protection. There are a large variety
of ear and eye protectors to fit just about any person.
#8 - Check Your Barrel Before
Using Your Gun
Ideally,
you should clean your gun barrel prior to shooting. Just a small bit of debris,
such as snow, oil, or dirt can cause increased pressure in the barrel, leading
to a bulge or explosion. If you fail to clear obstructions, you or bystanders
could be hurt when you shoot.
Don’t
rush to fire your gun. Take the time to open the action, check the barrel, and
then clean your barrel with a cleaning rod. Yes, it will take a few extra
minutes, but it’s worth it.
Here’s
a simple guide to regularly cleaning your gun barrel:
EMBED:
https://youtu.be/ymyw7CLFWOk
#9 - Use Caution If There Is
A Misfire
There
will be times when you pull the trigger but the gun does not fire. When that
happens, do NOT continue pulling the trigger in an effort to fire the gun.
There could be a cartridge jammed in the barrel.
If
the gun misfires, point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your face away
from the breech. Carefully open the action, withdraw the cartridge, and then
throw it away. Muzzle direction is just as important here. A bullet is still in
the gun even though it didn’t fire.
If
the gun continues to misfire, stop using it and perform maintenance on it when
you get home.
#10 - Alcohol and Guns Don’t
Mix
You
should NEVER use firearms when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Guns require close attention to detail and safety. They require eye hand
coordination and the ability to think clearly. You also need crystal clear
judgment when using firearms.
For
these reasons, it’s essential to never use firearms while intoxicated. It’s an
absolute recipe for disaster. You should have the same attitude toward shooting
under the influence as you do driving under the influence.
Plus,
it’s almost always illegal to possess
a firearm while under the influence. Not only could it have a tragic outcome,
you could also end up in prison.
Guns
and alcohol simply don’t mix.
#11 - Don’t Alter Your Gun
There
are several reasons you shouldn’t alter your gun. First, it usually voids the
factory warranty, meaning you won’t get any compensation if the gun is damaged
or faulty.
More
importantly, it’s just not safe. Guns are complicated tools with numerous
interrelated parts. They were specifically designed by experts and work in a
very particular manner. Altering your gun can cause malfunctions, which can be
dangerous.
Additionally,
you should only let a qualified, trained person repair your gun. You risk more
damage and danger by letting a novice try to fix a complicated problem.
#12 - Store Your Guns Safely
When
not in use, your guns should be stored in a safe, secure location. Thankfully,
there is a wide variety of gun storage lockers and safes, as well as locking
mechanisms for triggers. This is especially crucial if you live in a house with
young children who could access a gun.
Before
storing your guns, remove all ammunition from the barrels and magazines. You
may want to lock your ammunition in a different location as an additional
precaution.
Conclusion
These
safety rules should be followed at all times. Neglecting them can lead to bad
outcomes for you and those around you. By taking the time necessary to properly
handle, maintain, and store your firearm, you can be confident that you’ll have
years of safe, enjoyable shooting.
This
article originally appeared here at http://gunnewsdaily.com/12-critical-gun-safety-rules/
and has been republished with permission from http://gunnewsdaily.com
