Whether training or qualifying with a firearm, safety for yourself and others should be your primary concern. In order to ensure the safety of everyone, follow the NRA gun safety rules:
| 1. |
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. What's a safe direction? It is the direction in which the gun, if fired, would not cause any injury or damage. This rule must be applied at ALL times, whether the gun is loaded or not, on the range and off. |
| 2. |
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Until you are actually ready to fire and the gun is pointed in a safe direction, do not touch the trigger. |
| 3. |
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, carefully point it in a safe direction and immediately engage the safety if possible. (If the gun has a magazine, remove it before you open the action and make sure it is empty) open the action and look into the chamber, which should be clear of ammunition. If you don't know how to open the action or inspect the chamber, leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does. |
| 4. |
Know your target and what is beyond. Before firing, study the area around and beyond your target. If a bullet ricochets, or misses your target, or passes through the target and travels beyond it can cause damage or injury. Never fire in a direction that does not look safe. |
| 5. |
Know how to use the gun safely. Before handling a gun, learn how to operate it. Get proper training from a competent person so that you know its basic parts, how to safely open the action, and how to safely unload it. |
| 6. |
Be sure the gun is safe to operate. Guns, like tools and automobiles, need maintenance and care. Proper cleaning, lubrication, inspection, and storage are important. Make sure the gun is unloaded before you clean it! |
| 7. |
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. Identify the ammunition that your gun uses (it is usually stamped on the barrel) and match those requirements with the information on the ammunition box. Only cartridges or shells that have been designed for the gun can safely be fired. |
| 8. |
Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate. Gunshots are loud and the noise can damage your hearing. Guns can also emit hot gases, lead particles, or other debris that could injure your eyes. Protect your hearing and vision by wearing earplugs or muffs and high impact-resistant shooting glasses. |
| 9. |
Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting. Alcohol and drugs from the illicit to over-the-counter cold medicines can impair your normal mental and physical functions. Never handle a gun after having consumed alcohol or other drugs with side effects that include loss of coordination, vision problems, shakiness, and drowsiness, as these conditions could result in an accident. |
| 10. | Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. |
Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
Remember, whether in the home, at the range, or in the field,
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GUN SAFETY.
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