Guns can be useful for self-defense and recreation, but accidents do happen. However, these mistakes can be easily prevented if you follow some basic gun safety rules to protect yourself as well as the people around you. If you’re a beginner when it comes to owning and shooting a gun, here are some essential rules to practice.

Do:

Treat every gun as if it’s loaded.

Guns should always be unloaded when not in use. However, even then, treat it with care as if ammunition were in it. Don’t take the risk of being less vigilant in case the firearm was loaded without your knowledge.

Keep it pointed in a safe direction.

Always consider the direction your gun is pointed in and what the potential consequences could be if it happened to go off. To determine a safe direction, make sure the path is clear of people and objects that a bullet could ricochet off of.

Keep your firearm secure.

Keeping your weapon secure is one of the most crucial parts of gun safety, as a firearm getting into the wrong hands and being mishandled could have serious consequences. When not in use, always store your unloaded gun in a locked vault, case, or safe. It’s also a good idea to lock your ammunition in a separate area from the gun itself. Finally, make sure your firearm is completely inaccessible to children.

Don’t:

Handle a gun roughly.

Even playful roughhousing could end poorly if there's a gun involved. This is a serious weapon, and it should be treated as such. Also, refrain from potentially tricky movements, such as climbing, when you're holding a firearm.

Trust the gun’s safety device.

While guns do have safety devices that are supposed to prevent them from firing, they can malfunction just like any other mechanical device. Even when your safety is turned on, stay aware and handle the firearm with caution.

Touch the trigger if you don’t intend to shoot.

If you're not trying to shoot at something, you don't need to be touching the trigger. Even when doing a seemingly basic task, such as unloading the gun, make sure your fingers are nowhere near the trigger. A simple slip could result in the weapon going off.

 

If you want to learn more about gun safety, check out the available classes at Runenation in Gilsum, NH. Their expert instructors have worked with everyone from law enforcement to military personnel. They also teach various forms of self-defense and work with all clients, no matter what their prior knowledge or skill level is. They’re dedicated to building confidence in their students for an affordable price. For more information on their courses, reach out online or call (781) 346-9839.

 

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