Proper safety and handling prevent gun accidents.
Whether you choose to own a gun or not, you could find yourself
in a situation where knowing the basic procedures for safe
gun handling could become very
important. This pamphlet is designed to make you aware of the responsibility
involved, and provide some general guidelines for safe gun handling.
It is not intended to be a substitute for proper training
in gun handling and safety.
GUN SAFETY TRAINING
There are federal, state and local laws governing the purchase
and use of guns. Unfortunately, laws alone can't keep you,
your family,
or your friends safe
from firearms that are not handled safely.
Gun "accidents" are the result of untrained people handling guns,
or trained people being lax in proper handling procedures. The best way
to prevent accidents is for everyone, owners and nonowners alike, to know
and
practice safe handling procedures. Participate in a recognized gun safety
training program. Many programs are made available in most areas of the
country through
local law enforcement agencies, sportsmen clubs or the National Rifle Association.
Then, when you handle a gun, apply what you know.
Remember, this pamphlet is not a substitute for proper training. It
is intended to alert you to the need for training, and to provide hints
to help keep you,
your family, friends and community safer.
KNOW THE LAW
Law-abiding U.S. citizens and, in some states, legal resident aliens,
are entitled to own a gun. Federal, state and local laws govern gun
sales and define the
method for using them.
Many states require licenses to purchase, while others require licenses
to carry, a firearm. There are waiting periods and background checks
required
before you can own a gun.
Laws vary extensively from state to state, town to town, and
even gun to gun. If you own or plan to own a gun, know and
obey the laws that
apply to ownership.
Know the laws of neighboring states, too, in case you want to transport
your gun into one of them. If you are going to move to another state,
make law knowledge
part of your planning.
Gun dealers and law enforcement agencies can generally help
you comply. But knowing the laws yourself will help prevent
your breaking them.
Remember that
gun control laws are supposed to combat crime; breaking those laws
makes you a criminal.
TRANSPORT ONLY AN EMPTY GUN
Taking a gun outdoors? Before you do, make sure it is not loaded.
Look from the rear through the barrel bore and chamber(s) to see
if they
are clear. If
you are going to be shooting, be sure the guns are clean, dry and
free of oil.
Transport your empty gun separate from the ammunition. Carrying
a gun completely empty prevents it from being discharged accidentally.
This
gives you positive
control of the gun by letting you make a conscious decision as
to
when to load it.
Law enforcement officers going on duty load their guns according
to department guidelines.
There are also good general guidelines for private citizens.
When going to a shooting range, keep your firearm empty until
you get
on the range
and are
ready to shoot. Load only according to the safety rules of
the range. When leaving the range, unload your firearm before
leaving
your shooting
position.
Be absolutely sure it is empty by visually checking it.
HANDGUN HUNTING
When going hunting, wait until you are in place and starting
the hunt before loading. Climbing up to a tree stand, always
carry
the gun empty,
and carry
your handgun in a holster. Load your gun after getting securely
positioned in the stand.
NEVER POINT A GUN AT ANYONE
Always be aware of where you are pointing your gun. Wherever
you are, keep the muzzle pointing in a safe direction, away
from you
and from
other people.
On a shooting range, keep the muzzle pointing down range toward
the target, or at the ground when not in a firing position.
While hunting,
keep the
muzzle pointing at the ground until your target is in sight
and in range. Then THINK... “Where
will my bullet go if I miss? Could it travel a long distance? Could it go through
a wall? Could other people be close behind the target?” DON'T BE
SHORTSIGHTED ABOUT YOUR TARGET.
Know who or what is behind your target. If you have any doubts,
don't shoot.
You are the one responsible for safety once you have possession
of a gun. It's a big responsibility, so don't shirk it. Stay
safe and
keep
others safe.
SHOW OTHERS YOUR GUN IS SAFE
When handling a gun around other people, make them feel safer
and more comfortable by letting them see your gun is safe by
carrying
it open.
An open shotgun chamber,
the slide back on a pistol, the cylinder flipped out on a revolver
or an open bolt on a rifle provides that reassurance, especially
if the
chambers are also
empty.
If someone tries to hand you a gun, don't accept it without
having them open it so you can see it is not loaded. Offer
this same
safe courtesy
to others
before handing them your gun. If you don't want to handle the
gun, just refuse it and walk away, unless it's a child asking
for your
help.
INCREASE YOUR SAFETY MARGIN
To enjoy shooting, you and everyone around you must be safe
and feel safe. And for others to respect the sport, they must
see
it as a
safe activity that
does not threaten or interfere with them. Once you load a firearm,
it never leaves you and you never leave it. This is the only
way to keep
your loaded
gun out of the wrong hands. Unfortunately, there are those
who are less careful, and guns are sometimes left unattended.
When loading a revolver, leave one chamber empty and position
it in line with the barrel. Keeping an empty chamber in this
position means
the
revolver can
only be fired by intentionally pulling the trigger.
A semiautomatic pistol, rifle or shotgun should be treated
similarly. You may have ammunition in the gun, but keep the
chamber empty until
you are ready
to shoot. Then charge a round into it.
Once there is a round in the chamber, your ability to handle
the firearm is critical to everyone's safety.
Know your firearm.
There are many different kinds, each with their own characteristics.
To be safe, you must understand the one you are carrying. Before
you load a gun,
read the manual and ask for help if necessary.
IF YOU FIND A GUN
Please take note: Anyone may face the situation of finding
a gun... teachers, youth leaders, parents, hospital staff...
even
you. Children
could also
be in the position of finding or encountering a gun. Therefore,
you not only need
to know how to handle such a situation yourself, but you also
need to educate your children and those under your supervision.
Educate children.
Prepare children by teaching them these three steps:
