Gun Safety Rules
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This rule is referred
to as "muzzle control". 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.
The safest direction is usually at the ground. NEVER point the gun at any
part of yourself or another person unless you are intending to harm them.
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.
Again, unless the target is in your sites, keep your finger off of the
trigger. See #1.
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.
Continue to treat an unloaded gun as if it is loaded. See
#1.
4. Safe handling. When taking a firearm from it's case, check that it
is unloaded. Before and during cleaning, check that it is unloaded.
When you hand a firearm to another person, check that it is unloaded, then hand
it to them. Remind them to immediately check it as well and show them how
if necessary. If you need to hand a loaded firearm to someone, clearly
state, "it's loaded and ready to fire, be careful". If you are
showing your firearms to friends, take the opportunity to teach them safe
handling. See #1.
5. Pistols. Although pistols are less powerful than most long guns,
they are far more dangerous than a long gun because of the ease of
mishandling. Drill this into yourself and other shooters. Even the
most experienced and careful people frequently mess up on this one, it's just
too easy to inadvertently point it in an inappropriate direction. See #1.
6. Did you read #1?
When Using Or Storing A Gun, Always Follow These NRA Rules:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
