Many of you don't.
Either way, I would not do this blog any justice if I didn't start with these basic tips to avoid accidents.
The tips here are the same as the rules listed on the NRA website. There really is no better place to learn (or remind yourself of) basic firearms safety. It starts with three fundamentals that I recommend you cement into your brain whether you own a gun or not.
The fundamental rules for gun safety are:
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. When every other protective measure fails, this one detail is the difference between a bullet landing harmlessly and one that kills. Keep that muzzle aimed away from all living beings!
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. A modern firearm that is well maintained will not go off unless a deliberate trigger pull is performed. Keep that finger outside of the guard until you are aimed in a safe direction and know your target.
3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready for use. A fireman knows that to have a fire you must have heat, oxygen, and fuel... and if you take away any one of those three the fire goes out. Similarly, a gun is only lethal when loaded with ammunition.
I like to combine these three rules into one phrase that sums up gun safety and is easy to remember...
Jack's Rule #3a is: Always treat a firearm like it is loaded. Always means even if you believe it is unloaded, you still MUST act as if it could go off.
The rules above are considered to be the most important, but there are many other things to consider when handling a firearm.
Know your target and what is beyond. Whether shooting a target on a range or a person that is attacking you, you must be aware of where the projectiles may end up if you miss, there is risk of ricochet, or it passes completely through the primary target. It does you no good to shoot a perpetrator only to have the round go through him/her and strike your family member.
Know how to safely operate the gun. Before you even consider loading a firearm, you should be 150% familiar with the gun and all of its safety features. Learn how it operates and practice operating the gun with dry-fire exercises. If you don't think you could teach someone else about the gun in your hand, then you may not want to fire it yourself.
Be sure the gun is safe to operate. You want to be sure and do a full functions check and ensure cleanliness before loading and firing.
Use only the correct ammunition for the gun. Read the caliber on the gun and never attempt to use anything but that specific round. If using reloaded (a.k.a. non-factory or recycled) ammunition, never exceed the maximum load.
Wear eye and ear protection. Gunshots can harm your hearing and the burning powder can harm the eyes. If the firearm should have a critical failure, proper safety gear can protect you from fragments.
Never handle a firearm after drinking an alcoholic beverage, or taking ANY drug. Even over-the-counter medications can effect your physical reaction and mental capacity. Prescription and illicit drugs certainly will. This is not only a guideline, but also a law.
Store guns so that they are not accessible by unauthorized persons. Only persons that are of age, properly instructed, sober, and trustworthy should be able to access a firearm. Obviously, a gun should never be left within reach of a child, but even a house guest can represent a potential accident.
Maintain your firearm. Proper cleaning, lubing, maintenance, and inspections will ensure safety and protect your investment. As a reminder, be sure that your gun is unloaded, cleared, and that no ammunition is in the area while cleaning.
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