6 Rules Of Firearm Safety

By Clinton Courier | March 8, 2023 |

There are two main reasons for owning a firearm. You can use it for protection or take shooting as a sport. Whichever the purpose for holding a gun, you must know its impact on you and the people around you. Owning a firearm means following set rules and regulations to avoid getting yourself in trouble with the law.

If you must own a firearm, learning how it works and the safety requirements to safeguard you and your loved ones is crucial. If you’re a licensed firearm handler with several in your arsenal, getting a gun rack can help you secure your firearms and keep them away from unauthorized use. You should also get a license from the government to validate your firearm possession.

That said, here are six rules of firearm safety every gun owner, new or otherwise, must know:

Assume The Firearm Is Always Loaded

Firearms cannot give warnings, such as alarms, before discharging a round. And it becomes difficult to tell whether it’s a loaded or unloaded gun. Once you pull the trigger, whatever happens next cannot be undone. Always accord any firearm the respect it deserves, even when you know it’s safe.

You won’t go wrong with triple-checking your firearm beforehand for safety purposes. Also, don’t point the gun at yourself or anyone around you while checking if it’s loaded. It’s one safety practice for firearm handlers you must learn before you buy a gun.

Point The Gun In A Safe Direction

Bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings. Also, they can ricochet once discharged from a firearm. Therefore, it’s crucial to point your gun in a safe direction. The direction rule is superior to all the other firearm safety practices.

Pointing the firearm in a safe direction covers the possibility of intentional or accidental discharge. It gives you control of the gun and assures you of safety. You can avoid shooting yourself, the people around you, and your property when you handle your firearm correctly. In addition, you must ensure you point the muzzle in a safe direction, whether walking or traveling.

Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger

Firearms vary in design and user preference. These are some of the safety features that require regular training to master when handling a gun. Where you place your finger or index point in firearm terms matters. The trigger can discharge a bullet with the slightest touch, resulting in irreversible results. So, learning how to place your finger around the trigger is crucial.

Aside from controlling your finger or index point, firearms have a safety that protects you from accidental misfires. However, it can fail due to human error while handling a gun, and you cannot entirely rely on it to function. Some pistols have an integrated safety on the trigger and can mislead an untrained user. It won’t hurt you to take a gun safety course to learn the parts of a firearm and its safety features.

Don’t Pass A Loaded Firearm

A firearm is a weapon of distraction and can be risky if poorly handled. You cannot share or pass a loaded gun for fun or protection. It’s an unsafe practice that hurts anyone around you. Don’t be casual with a firearm, or try to pass or toss it to anyone. You’ll be violating the safe direction rule of handling a gun.

Use Safety Gear

Seasoned gun owners strongly recommend safety gear for a small or large caliber firearm. The primary reason for such a requirement is to protect your eyes and ears when firing a gun. When shooting a firearm, the ringing sound left behind can be deafening, and flying pieces of brass and unburned gun power can harm your eyes.

In addition, the firearm can become hot while in use, interfering with how you hold the gun. So, it’s crucial to have appropriate safety gear to help you control your firearm.

Be Mindful Of Your Target And Beyond

When handling your firearm, it’s crucial to look beyond your target. It ensures that whatever is beyond it is safe or intact after you hit your mark. The reason for such a consideration is that bullets come with force and can pierce through humans and objects. Look at what lies beyond the spot if you must point a firearm.

Conclusion

Firearms are a good protection tool but require psychological evaluation before buying one. It’ll ensure you can handle a gun in a private and public environment. Also, you must learn the various parts of a firearm and know what safety features exist. You’ll avoid accidents, such as shooting yourself and anyone around you.