It's always time for Gun Safety

Hi everyone, it's C-pher again and I think that today we're going to talk a little bit about gun Safety.  If you've grown up with firearms, then you have heard about the three rules of Gun safety, but there's really more than just those three.  Chances are, that you've understood them or had them taught to you in a different way.  But no matter what you've learned, it never hurts to talk about them often.

So, where do we start?  Well, the first thing we've been told that we always want to keep our firearms pointed in a safe direction.

We don't want anyone or anything getting hurt.  So, we want to make sure that we don't point our firearm at anything we wouldn't want to destroy.  So, we need to take into account anything that might cause a ricochet.  The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times.  We teach in our class that common sense dictates the safest direction.  At the range, it's easy to tell..we are usually shooting at a large mount of dirt.  But other places might make it more difficult, and that's honestly going to depend on the circumstances being that bullets can penetrate walls and ceilings.   So, pay attention to your muzzle and your surroundings!!

Next thing that we're taught is that you keep your firearms unloaded until they are ready to be used. 

That means visually checking it to determine the status of the firearm.  And while we're talking the Holiday Season...maybe even checking it twice!  Anytime you move the firearm, check it...if it's been out of your sight, check it.  Why?  Because until you visually identify the firearms as unloaded, it's loaded.  Always treat any firearm as if it's loaded. Get into the habit of verifying the status of any firearm that you handle or is handed.


I'm sure that everyone remembers the big one, correct?

That means keeping it up along the frame away from the trigger and the trigger guard! Get that finger up as high as you are able.  

This is for anytime that you are not actively on target.  Take a break, finger off the trigger.  Looking at the target, finger off the trigger.  Changing Mags, finger off the trigger. Need to scratch your butt, finger off the trigger.  I don't care what you're doing, if you need to pull the firearm off the target you're shooting at, take your finger off the trigger.

So, here's what we have so far:

• Treat Every Firearms as If it's Loaded.
• Keep it Unloaded Until You're Ready to Fire.
• Keep your Finger off the Trigger
• Never Point your Firearm at Anything You're not Willing to Destroy.

What are some other things that we want to talk about?

You need to know not only your target, but what's beyond your target.  

If you miss, are you going to hit something that you didn't intend?  A house, a fellow hunter, an object that you didn't see past your target?  So, open those eyes, and look whats out there.  Remember that your bullet doesn't stop when it leaves your firearm and makes contact with your target.

Don't rely on your firearm's safety.

Use your head. You need to be your safety!  Follow the rules above, know that safeties are mechanical devices.  And we all know that those can and will fail.  Everything breaks at some point...so use your head!  If you always believe that your safety will be there...you or someone else will end up hurt.  

Always wear Eye and Ear Protection!! 

Guns are loud.  REALLY loud. There's brass flying, gasses escaping, things moving.  Wear those shooting glasses. Not only you, but anyone that's spectating.  Everyone around should be wearing both!  They aren't expensive, and they are worth the money to protect hearing damage or injuries to the eyes.

Always use the Correct Ammuntion!!

Just because a fork fits into an outlet, it doesn't mean that's what belongs there.  Look at the gun, look at the box and read the headstamp. Make sure that they all match!!  Using incorrect ammunition can cause malfunctions and even destroy the firearm, causing injuries to you!!

And last, but not least RTFM!

Learn your firearm, know how it works, how to put it together, take it apart, clean it...get familiar with your gun.  If you have a malfunction, you know how to take care of the issue. If you don't know how to work your firearm, then there's an opportunity for you to get hurt.


If you're in the area, and want to take a class on gun safety, then check out our schedule and sign up for a class.

We'd love to have you, and if you have any comments, or stories, let us know!!

Shoot Safe and Shoot Straight!