An Informative Guide to Firearm Safety
A recent survey found that around 32% of adult Americans own firearms, which amounts to over 81.4 million people. You may not have even been interested in guns previously, but with the rising number of shootings, you’re considering getting a gun for self-defense.
Owning a firearm legally and knowing how to operate one are two different subjects though. Just because you have the right to own a gun doesn’t mean you can whip it out whenever you wish to fire off a few bullets.
Proper firearm safety is a must. Read on to find a quick guide.
Treat Every Gun Like It’s Loaded
This is the most important rule when it comes to gun safety. Even if someone tells you a firearm is unloaded, or you know that it is from the last time you fired it, it’s always better to be safe than to be sorry. This will help you keep your guard up and ensure you’re always responsible and disciplined when holding a gun.
Ways to treat guns like it’s loaded are to point them in a safe direction and keep your finger off of the trigger until you’re aiming at a target and are ready to shoot.
Know Your Target
You should be looking straight at your target, so this might sound like an obvious tip. However, you need to think beyond that.
The fact is, bullets can and will go through targets. Plus, there’s a chance you’ll miss, especially if you’re not an experienced shooter.
Because of the above points, you’ll need to know your target thoroughly. Make note of what’s behind and around it to be completely safe when you shoot. If you’re less than 100% sure, don’t shoot.
Learn How Your Gun Works
Shooting can seem easy, but do your due diligence and learn about your gun before carrying it. Even if you’ve shot or owned another firearm, don’t skip this step, as operations can vary between guns.
Find out how to load and unload your gun, as well as clear malfunctions. You should also learn what type of ammunition to use. View these ammo casings to see what’s available.
Store Your Gun Securely
All it takes is one brief moment for an unauthorized person to find and discharge your gun. And in the worst-case scenario, they can take a life.
You should keep your firearms and ammunition separate and use a locked container. Before putting your guns away for storage, you should practice firearm maintenance, as well as unload them and put a cable or trigger lock on.
Practicing Good Firearm Safety Is Vital
If you’re even considering a gun purchase, then you need to know firearm safety. These are powerful weapons, so responsibility is a must.
So if you think that firearms are nice toys, then think again. If you’re not ready to be diligent about gun safety and firearm care, then perhaps being a gun owner isn’t for you.
If you found this post on gun safety helpful, then keep reading our blog page for more informative articles.
