There has been a heated debate regarding gun owners’ rights and how they should be protected; on the other hand, there has been an increase in shootings, including accidental ones. The only way to put an end to these accidental shootings is to follow some simple gun safety rules.
This article will go over 12 golden gun safety rules, which are essentially the basic criteria one should follow when handling firearms.
Here are the 12 golden rules of gun safety;
1) Point a gun in a safe direction
Perhaps the most fundamental rule of gun handling is to avoid pointing at a target that you would never intend to shoot. If a gun accidentally goes off, be sure it does not hit a target, such as a loved one, which would make you regret it.
2) Keep your finger away from the trigger
Double and triple verify that your finger is not anywhere near the trigger until you are ready to fire. Keeping your finger away from the trigger will prevent you from accidentally pulling it.
3) Make sure there is a safe backstop
A backstop is what lies beyond your target, ensure that incase you fire and miss the target, the stray bullet doesn’t end up harming what you didn’t intend to. Also, hard surfaces existing as backstops may result in injury from ricochets.
4) Use the correct ammo
Every firearm is chambered for a specific round that fits the required specifications. Using different ammo than prescribed increases the potential of significant injury to the shooter, especially if the pressure of the ammo exceeds what the firearm itself can take.
5) Handle firearms only when sober
Being sober means one should be free of drugs, alcohol, and medication that may cause dizziness, and even negative emotions. This is because a lack of sobriety greatly impacts your judgment.
6) Learn how to handle a falling firearm
Poor handling of a weapon, as it falls, may create an accident that wasn’t there because one may accidentally squeeze the trigger or guide the firearm in the wrong direction after it triggers itself.
7) Use only firearms that you can physically handle.
It’s quite easy to lose control of a firearm since it carries a lot of force when it starts firing. High-caliber rifles, for example, require appropriate strength to be able to control them, especially given their powerful recoil.
8) Store Guns Safely and Securely
When not in use, firearms should be unloaded, stored in a secure location, and kept out of reach of unauthorized individuals, particularly children.
See Also: Best gun safes for rifles and shotguns
9) Regularly Clean and maintain your firearms
Clean your firearm properly and regularly to ensure its reliability and avoid any mishaps while in use. When cleaning, make sure to lubricate all relevant parts.
10) Keep your gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it
This will not only prevent you from accidentally injuring others, but it will also keep others from harming themselves if they access a firearm without sufficient knowledge of how to handle it.
11) Wear protective gear
While most people do not wear eye and ear protection when shooting, it is strongly advised that you do so. Consistently exposing your ears to loud sounds may cause hearing impairment, and the eyes may be accidentally injured by flying debris when not in eye protection wear.
12) Get the best training
You should get proper training from someone with extensive experience in handling firearms to get practical advice on the do’s and don’ts.
Conclusion
After going over the 12-gun safety rules outlined in this article, make sure to follow them and reread them regularly to develop muscle memory to practice them consistently. Always remember that firearms are deadly, and wrong handling of them can result in serious injury, legal action, or even death.
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