Three Fundamental Rules For Safe Gun Handling:
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 Rules:
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
This information is not intended as a complete course in gun safety and is not a substitute for formal, qualified instruction in the handling, use, or storage of firearms
Safety with firearms begins with learning the rules outlined here acquiring the the skills to apply them in a responsible and conscientious manner. You can obtain hands-on training in the safe and proper use of different types of firearms by enrolling in a course of the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.
Many thousands of persons attend these courses annually and receive a solid foundation in the basics of safe firearm handling and shooting skills. NRA basic courses are conducted in communities throughout the Unites States by NRA Certified Instructors.