Fundamental Rules for Safe Gun Handling
NRA Rules for Gun Safety
Basic Firearm Safety Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Rule 1: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the single most important rule of gun safety. This rule means that a gun must always be pointed so that even if it were unintentionally discharged, it would not cause injury or damage. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending upon the circumstances. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times.
Rule 2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
A pistol cannot fire if it is unloaded. Your trigger finger should always be straight, alongside the frame and out of the trigger guard, until you have made the decision to shoot. Unintentional discharges can be caused when the trigger of a loaded gun is press by a finger left in the trigger guard instead of being positioned straight along the side of the gun’s frame.
Rule 3: ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
A pistol cannot fire if it is unloaded. A firearm that is not being used should always be unloaded. For example, a firearm that is stored in a gun safe should be unloaded unless it is a personal protection firearm that may need to be accessed quickly for defensive purposes. As a general rule, whenever you pick up a firearm, you must immediately point it in a safe direction, with the trigger finger off the trigger open the action, and visually and physically inspect the chamber to determine if the gun is loaded or not.
Common major causes of firearm accidents are.
- Ignorance (lack of knowledge) regarding rules of safe gun handling and of the proper and safe way to operate a pistol.
- Carelessness (poor or improper attitude) leading to a failure to apply the rules of safe gun handling.
Knowing these rules, following them, and insisting other follow them at all times will help keep you and your family safe. But, gun safety goes well beyond the "Big Three." Here are eight other gun safety tips that you should know...and pass on to everyone in your family.
This short video Introduction to Range Safety and Etiquette - Firearm Safety is a great introduction to firearms safety rules and etiquette at the indoor range and for experienced shooters a great reminder.
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