There are certain rules of gun safety that you should follow at all times to minimize any potential accidents. As a gun owner, you have committed to knowing the rules and following them. Responsible gun ownership requires you to learn and practice these behaviors to ensure that accidents, theft, and injuries are avoided.
Always Treat Your Gun Like It Is Loaded
At the range, you will be considered a responsible and knowledgeable gun owner if you inspect and show that your gun is clear before you handle it any further. You need to take the time to treat every gun you have as if it is loaded. You should never assume that someone has given you an unloaded gun.
Take the time to inspect the gun safely before you handle it any further. You should also never accept any gun that you are unfamiliar with and assume you can tinker with it until you have figured it out. You should never be afraid to ask for assistance or a demonstration on how to safely handle and use the gun that you are unfamiliar with.
Never Let The Muzzle Cover Something You Are Not Willing To Destroy
One of the critical factors of firearm safety is situational awareness. Before you have made contact with your firearm, you need to take in your environment and determine what your safe direction is. If you are unsure in an indoor or outdoor range, you need to ask.
You are responsible for point your gun in a safe direction at all times whether you are loading, reloading, setting up the work area, showing clear, shooting or simply laying down the firearm. When you transport the gun, the muzzle will need to be up or down and it should be unloaded. Keep your gun safe during transportation by using a backpack designed with safety in mind. If you are unsure of the rules at the range for transportation with respect to muzzle direction, you need to ask.
Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger
Trigger finger discipline is a skill that you need to learn and is vital to maintaining safe conditions when handling a firearm. Your trigger finger needs to be your safety finger as well. Your finger should be kept straight from the moment you make contact with the firearm and should rest on the side of the frame.
This is the indexed position that your finger needs to stay in through all the administrative actions you complete including loading, picking up, fixing malfunctions and resting. Your finger should only move from this position when it is appropriate to shoot. You should also only move your finger once your target is in sight and you are ready to pull the trigger.
Be Sure Of The Target And What Is Beyond It
You are responsible for everything that your round comes into contact with. This means that you need to take the time to determine your surroundings before you make the choice to shoot. Particularly when long range shooting. The height of your target should be taken into account as well as the angle that you are going to shoot at.
If the round is likely to go through your target and will come into contact with something other than a bullet safe berm, you should not take the shot. This means that you should never fire or point your gun at something that you cannot clearly identify as a target. You should also not do this if there is any danger of your bullet straying or over penetrating.
