Anyone who intends to handle a gun, whether for sport or self-defense, must complete a gun safety course. Even if you don’t possess a gun, familiarizing yourself with how to securely handle and operate one is a smart idea.
Always Keep Guns Pointed in a Safe Direction
This is the most fundamental guideline of safety. There would be almost no guns mishaps if everyone handled a firearm so carefully that the muzzle never pointed toward something they didn’t plan to shoot.
Never point your gun towards something you don’t want to kill. When loading or unloading a rifle, this is very critical. As long as the muzzle is facing in a safe direction, no damage may occur in the case of an accidental discharge.
When considering ricochets and the fact that gunshots may pierce walls and ceilings, a safe route is one in which a bullet cannot conceivably harm someone. In some situations, the safe direction is “up,” while in others, it is “down,” but never at anybody or anything that isn’t intended to be a target. Even if you’re “dry shooting” with an empty gun, never direct it at a dangerous target.
When not in use, firearms should be unloaded
Firearms should only be loaded when you are ready to shoot in the field, on the target range, or in a shooting area. When not in use, guns and ammunition should be stored separately in a secure location. It is your duty to keep weapons and ammunition out of the hands of youngsters and unauthorized individuals.
As soon as you’re done, unload your rifle. In or near a car, truck, or structure, a loaded gun has no place. When you’re done shooting, unload your pistol as soon as possible before bringing it into a car, tent, or house.
Always open the action of a weapon immediately after handling it or handing it to someone else, and visually inspect the chamber, receiver, and magazine to ensure they do not contain any ammunition. When not in use, always keep activities open.
With a loaded rifle, never cross a fence, climb a tree, or do anything difficult. There will be occasions in the field when common sense and fundamental firearms safety regulations dictate that you empty your weapon for optimal safety. A loaded firearm should never be pulled or pushed toward yourself or another person.
Don’t rely on gun “safety”
Every gun should be treated as if it may discharge at any moment. Any gun’s “safety” is a mechanical device that, like any other equipment, might fail at the worst possible time. Furthermore, the safety may be “off” while you think it is “on” by accident. The safety is meant to support appropriate gun handling, not to take the place of common sense. You should never handle a gun carelessly or think that simply because the “safety is on,” the pistol will not discharge.
Know Your Target and What’s Beyond
No one can retaliate with a shot. When a gun goes off, you lose all control over where the bullet goes and what it hits. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly where your bullet will land. Make sure your bullet doesn’t hit anyone or anything other than your intended target. Firing at a movement or a noise without being confident of what you’re shooting at shows a disrespect for other people’s safety. No objective is so essential that you can’t take the time to double-check your target and where your shot will land before pulling the trigger.
Use the correct ammunition
You must take seriously the duty of only using the proper ammo for your handgun. All cautions, including those in the gun’s instruction manual and on the ammo boxes, should be read and followed.
Using the wrong ammo may ruin a gun and result in significant physical injury. It just takes one incorrect caliber or gauge cartridge to ruin your pistol, and it only takes a second to double-check each one when you load it. Make sure that the ammo you’re using complies with the gun’s instruction manual’s standards as well as the manufacturer’s marks on the rifle.
Firearms are developed, produced, and proof tested to factory-loaded ammunition specifications. Handloaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates from factory load pressures or component specifications given in reputable handloading guides can be hazardous, causing major gun damage and serious harm to the shooter. Use only appropriate reloads and ammo with recognized components.
Conclusion
Hunting and target shooting are two of the safest activities to participate in. This comprehensive list by Peak Firearms is designed to assist you in making them even safer by emphasizing the basic knowledge of safe gun handling and storage, as well as reminding you that you are the most important factor in weapons safety.