FIREARM SAFETY RULES
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
o
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 firearm accidents. It's as simple
as that, and it's up to you.
o 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.
o A safe direction when loading or
unloading, 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.
o 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.
FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT ACTUALLY IN USE
o
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.
o
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.
o 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!
o 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!
DON'T RELY ON YOUR GUN'S "SAFETY" CATCH
o
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."
o
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 catch
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.
o
Never place the safety in between positions, since half-safe is
unsafe. Keep the safety "on" until you are absolutely ready to fire.
o
Regardless of the position of the safety catch, 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.
o
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.
BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT
o
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.
o
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.
o Be aware that even a .22 short bullet can
travel over 1 ¼ 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.
o You should keep in mind how far a bullet will travel if it misses your intended target or ricochets in another direction.
USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION
o
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.
o Using improper or incorrect ammunition can
destroy a gun and cause serious personal injury. It only takes one
cartridge of improper calibre 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.
o Firearms are designed, manufactured and
proof tested to standards based upon those of factory loaded ammunition.
Hand loaded or reloaded ammunition deviating from pressures generated
by factory loads or from component recommendations specified in
reputable hand loading 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.
o
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.
o
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.
IF YOUR GUN FAILS TO FIRE WHEN THE TRIGGER IS PULLED - HANDLE WITH CARE!
o
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.
o
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 No. 1 and
watch that muzzle!
o 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.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING
o
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 variety of eye and ear protectors
available. No target shooter or hunter should ever be without them.
o
Most rules of shooting safety are intended to protect you and having
your hearing and eyes protected will make your shooting easier and will
help improve your enjoyment of shooting sports.
BE SURE THAT THE BARREL IS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTION BEFORE SHOOTING
o
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 obstruction 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.
o
Placing a smaller gauge or calibre 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.
DON'T ALTER OR MODIFY YOUR GUN AND HAVE GUNS SERVICED REGULARLY
o
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!
o
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.
LEARN ABOUT THE MECHANICAL AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING