Essential Safety rules every gun owner should know
Congratulations on becoming a new gun owner. With this right comes a significant responsibility – the duty to handle and store your firearm safely. Gun safety is not just about protecting yourself; it’s about ensuring the safety of those around you and preventing accidents that could have life-altering consequences.
As a new gun owner, it’s crucial to internalize and practice essential safety rules. These rules form the foundation of responsible gun ownership and can mean the difference between a safe experience and a tragic accident. This blog post will guide you through the fundamental safety rules that every gun owner should know and follow religiously.
1. Always Treat Every Gun as if It’s Loaded
This golden rule of gun safety cannot be overstated. Regardless of whether you’ve just unloaded the gun or someone has handed it to you claiming it’s unloaded, always treat every firearm as if it contains live ammunition.This mindset is crucial because it creates a constant state of awareness and respect for the weapon.
Many accidents occur when people assume a gun is unloaded and handle it carelessly. By treating every gun as loaded, you maintain a heightened sense of caution that can prevent tragic mistakes.For example, in 2013, a man in Florida accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend when he thought he was handling an unloaded gun. Had he treated the gun as if it were loaded, this tragedy could have been avoided.
2. ALWAYS Keep Your Gun Pointed in a Safe Direction
A “safe direction” means that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurs, it will not result in injury or damage. This rule is all about muzzle awareness – always being conscious of where your gun is pointing.In practice, this might mean keeping the gun pointed at the ground when walking, or at the backstop when at a shooting range.
Inside a home, it could mean keeping the muzzle pointed at an exterior wall rather than an interior one where a bullet could potentially travel to another room.Maintaining muzzle awareness takes practice and constant vigilance. Make it a habit to always be aware of where your muzzle is pointing, even when you’re not actively using the firearm.
3. ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until You’re Ready to Shoot
This rule, often referred to as “trigger discipline,” is critical in preventing accidental discharges. Your finger should rest outside the trigger guard and along the side of the gun until you have made the conscious decision to fire.Developing good trigger discipline is largely about muscle memory.
When you first pick up a gun, make a conscious effort to keep your finger off the trigger. With practice, this will become second nature.A practical exercise to develop this habit is to practice picking up and handling an unloaded gun, focusing on keeping your finger off the trigger. You can also practice this with a rubber training gun or even while holding everyday objects.
The video below is an example of what not to do when it comes practicing safety. More than one rule was ignored:
