BASIC FIREARM SAFETY

If you can't handle it safely, don't handle it at all. 

Owning a firearm is a great responsibility. Please, before you acquire a gun, make sure that you can handle this responsibility. If you are subject to uncontrollable fits of anger, maybe you should learn to calm down before acquiring a firearm. If you are addicted to controlled substances, including drugs or alcohol, you should straighten things out before owning a gun. Guns are tools, and like any other tools, they require sane, smart, and responsible owners to function properly.                

1. Always treat every gun as if it was loaded. Always. Every gun. Many accidents that are reported involve people who did not grasp this simple rule. Always. Every. You should never have to ask if a gun is loaded because, yes, it is. Understand this, and learn how to safely unload EVERY firearm that you ever touch. Do not be afraid to ask someone, and if nobody is around to teach you or show you what you need to know to safely clear and unload a gun, do not touch it.

2. Always point the gun in a safe direction. Refer to rule number one, above. Again, most of the gun related accidents we read about involve ignorance of this rule as well. Even if a gun goes off accidentally (they usually won't, they usually can't, this rarely happens), if it is always pointed in a SAFE direction, most injuries can be avoided. Our good buddy Dave tells us to imagine a laser beam is always coming out of the barrel, and he admonishes us to NEVER let this beam slice up your buddies, your dog, or your buddies' dogs. Always. Safe direction. Always.

3. Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Do not EVER place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. This means keeping your finger off of the trigger until you have selected a target, and know and understand the consequences of engaging this target, and fully grasp what is beyond and behind your target. Do not touch the trigger until it is time to shoot. Guns are designed to shoot bullets when the trigger is pulled, that's what they are SUPPOSED TO DO. That is one of the defining properties of being a gun. They shoot when the trigger is pulled.

4. Never engage in ANY type of horseplay when handling or even being around someone else who is handling any type of firearms. No pushing, shoving, wrestling, or any other nonsense which may lead to a less than safe situation. 

5. Make sure that the ammunition you are using is the ammunition for which your firearm is designed, and make sure that your ammunition is in good condition. Improper ammunition, damaged or corroded ammunition, and dented or dinged ammo can lead to serious injury and may damage your firearm. If you are not 100% sure, then don't use it.

6. Make certain that your firearm is in good, clean, working order. Make sure that it is properly lubricated (do NOT over-lubricate: a very thin, light coat of oil is fine). Make completely, 100% sure that there are no obstructions in your barrel. If you are not sure how to check this, ask someone, or set the weapon down and do not use it. Do not, however, EVER peer down the muzzle (the front part, the part that the bullet comes out) to check for obstructions.

7. When on the range, any range, anywhere, anyone can call a cease fire for ANY reason. When and if a cease-fire is called, then you should cease fire immediately, instantly, and at once. Stop shooting right away, as in RIGHT NOW. Also, when a cease fire is called, you should also call "cease-fire" as well, loudly. A gun range can be a somewhat noisy place, and when a cease fire is called, everyone needs to echo this command, so that everyone is aware that a cease fire exists.

8. Wear adequate hearing and eye protection when shooting. Hey, these are your eyes and ears we are talking about, and you do need them. Hearing and eye protection are the responsibility of every adult present at or near the range. If you choose to do without them, then that's on you. We are not responsible. However, minor children will not EVER be allowed on the range without ear plugs and safety glasses. They are children, and we do not give them any option here. 

9. Take all instructions from the range officer/training officer/person-in-charge at the range. Do not load or shoot without instructions to do so. The range officer will announce when it is time to "go hot", meaning it is time to shoot. For courtesy's sake, time will be allowed for people to put their ear plugs in at the beginning of every shooting session.

10. Try to be as encouraging and helpful where you can, and quiet when you can't. Some of us are natural shooters, and some of us need some work. This is not so much a safety rule as it is a request for common decency. By helping each other, we can all become more proficient at shooting, and thus better able to defend ourselves and our communities. Do not discourage anyone.

Be safe, be productive, and train well.