How to Practice Gun Safety

If you are a gun owner then gun safety is very important. Not only is it important for your own safety, but the safety of your friends, family, and the general public. While some accidents are not always fatal you will have to assume that any accident involving a gun will certainly be fatal. As a result you should know how to practice gun safety in order to avoid a tragedy that can’t be undone. Let’s discuss some gun safety ideas that will make you a better caretaker of your weapon or weapons.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• trigger lock
• gun cleaning kit

1. Always treat your gun or guns as if they are loaded. Even if your weapon is not loaded you should always treat the weapon as if it is loaded. Whenever you handle a gun or hand someone a gun always check to see if the weapon is loaded. If the weapon is loaded when you handle it that is fine, but never hand a loaded weapon to another person. If it is an automatic remove the clip and check the breach and if it is a revolver check the cylinder.

2. Make sure to store your weapon safely. You should always make sure that your gun is stored in a safe and dry place. If you can afford a safe, that is the best way to store your guns, especially if you have children. If you do not have a safe them store them out of reach of your children, and use a device like a trigger lock to make sure they don’t go off accidentally. Make sure to safely store your ammunition also.

3. Make sure to keep your guns clean. Always make sure that your guns are kept clean. You should clean your guns at least once every two weeks whether you have fired them or not. You should also do this even if they are stored in cases, pouches, or holsters. The reason for this is because dust and particles even from their storage containers can foul or clog them rendering them useless or more dangerous to your person. Always make sure to clean a weapon after you fire it as well.

4. Always make sure to handle the gun with safety in mind. What ever type of firearm you have always keep it pointed down until you are ready to shoot. When you are holding your gun always keep your finger off of the trigger and the gun on safe until you are ready to fire it. Wait until you have your target in sight and know what is around it before you raise the weapon to fire it. Once you are ready to fire the weapon disengage the safety. Do not put your finger on the gun until you are ready to fire the weapon, but once you are ready place your finger and the trigger and squeeze not pull the trigger.

Tips & Warnings

• For the experienced gun handler it should be common knowledge that an empty weapon is no good for anyone but the person who is intent on causing you bodily injury or death, so always keep your weapon loaded. This will also teach those that know you that your weapon is always loaded, and that you will not be an easy target. So remember always store it loaded, but keep it secured against its being used against you.

[unclepaul]

on 11/26/2009 Good advice and timely reminders to some of us old timers who forget that guns don't have a self-cleaning switch. I might add: More people get shot with "unloaded" guns than loaded ones.("I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS LOADED")

[johngriggs]

on 6/20/2009 This was an excellent article. It is definitely important to be knowledgeable about gun safety. There are too many accidents with guns. If more people practiced operating firearms safely, there would be less fatalities and injuries. 5* and recommended.