Gun Checklist

The NRA provides a list detailing every aspect of proper gun safety.

Proper gun safety is essential to ensure that nobody, including yourself, is hurt due to the misuse of your firearms. Thankfully for gun enthusiasts and their friends, as well as family members, the National Rifle Association has published an essential list of gun safety rules that should always be observed when in the presence of a firearm.

Pointing

Your firearm should remain pointed in a safe direction at all times; this is the number-one rule of the NRA's guide to gun safety. Firearm owners should use common sense when determining the safest direction to point their gun, which may differ for each situation and scenario.

Trigger

Fingers should never be touching the trigger of a gun until you are ready to fire the weapon. Utilize the trigger guard to rest your fingers when holding a gun, or rest them on the side of the firearm itself.

Ammunition

All guns should be kept unloaded until the owner is ready to use them. Owners should also be aware of the correct type of ammunition for each specific gun. You should never use ammunition that is not specifically designed for your make and model of firearm.

Targeting

Always be sure of your target before firing a shot. Confirm that you know what you are shooting at as well as what lies beyond your target. Missed shots, and even shots that hit their target, may continue to travel for some distance beyond your intended target.

Condition

Firearm owners should always ensure their gun is safe to operate. This requires regular cleaning, maintenance and proper storage on behalf of the gun owner.

Protection

Because debris and hot gasses are emitted from some firearms, users should utilize proper eye protection when necessary. Ear protection may also be necessary as some guns can be quite loud when firing.

Drugs and Alcohol

Guns should never be used by an individual after ingesting any amount of drugs or alcohol. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medications as well.

Storage

Proper storage of your gun is essential to make sure that it's there when you need it yet kept out of the hands of others. Furthermore, firearms should always be stored in a location that makes them inaccessible to unauthorized individuals, including children. Owners can utilize gun storage boxes, lockers or individual trigger locks if necessary.

Cleaning

Cleaning your firearm on a regular basis is crucial to maintaining the integrity and functionality of your gun. Guns should be cleaned immediately after use or when brought out of a long period of storage.

References

• The National Rifle Association: NRA Gun Safety Rules

Resources

• Remington: 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety