SAFETY FIRST! SAFETY ALWAYS!

[doctor_ocks]

"SAFETY FIRST! SAFETY ALWAYS!" needs to be the creed of any firearm owner or anyone handling a firearm. It doesn't matter if you're a novice or a pro, the basic rules for safe gun handling must be followed at all times. Pound these rules into your skull and then pound them into your skull some more! A lot of negligent discharges happen to folks who've been around firearms their entire life and begin to take these rules for granted. It only takes a split second to make a mistake that will last forever. Don't be that guy.

**

The fundamental rules for safe gun handling are:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3. ALL guns are ALWAYS loaded.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

4. Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

When using or storing a gun, always follow these rules:

Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.

Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.
A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.

Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

**The above was taken directly from the NRA's webpage www.nra.org and from Cooper's firearm safety info found here http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/safetyrules.html

Training

Get training! There are some folks out there who seem to be naturals when it comes to shooting. Good for them. Even they need training. Almost every gun range I've ever been to offers some kind of basic training courses. You should sign up for those at the time you purchase you first gun.

If you're not sure where to get training, here's the NRA's link to finding classes in your area.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/find.asp

I'd also reiterate what was posted in the rules above that you should try to be as educated about firearms as you can, but specifically YOUR firearm. Know the parts, how it works, and how to clean and care for it. Don't be too proud to ask someone more experienced than you. We all had to start somewhere.

Negligent Discharges

This is what happens when you ignore the safety rules mentioned above - specifically "Keeping your finger off the triger until your ready to shoot". It can happen to the experienced and the novice alike. No one is immune to it except those who remember and practice the safety rules every time they handle a firearm.

Here's a webpage put up by an experienced shooter who had an ND and shot himself in the leg.

WARNING - GRAPHIC IMAGES http://dishhead.home.insightbb.com/leg.html

Along these same lines, you should always be careful to not allow anything to come in contact with your trigger - not just your finger. An example of this would be when someone is reholster their hand gun and the retension strap or a piece of clothing snags the trigger. Not good.



The 2nd Amendment grants us the right to keep and bear arms. Along with that right comes a HUGE responsibility to be careful owners. Firearms are created to destroy - take that seriously - firearm safety is very literally a matter of life and death.

[doctor_ocks]

Thought I'd post this in light of the recent negligent discharge thread. I think we all need to be reminded from time to time.

[DeltaUpsilon]

sticky!

[Obiwan]

Not my personal favorite version

But a good reminder

I like Col. Coopers version best

All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.

Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)

Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.

Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

[Abacus]

Even with my refreshed enthusiasm in firearm safety, I must say phooey to #3.

[Obiwan]

Me too....it is always the empty guns that kill people

[michelle]

Instead of the NRA's number three, I prefer to think of every gun as already loaded--and I check to see if it's unloaded when I hand it off as well as when I recieve it. You know, like the Cooper version.

[doctor_ocks]

Even with my refreshed enthusiasm in firearm safety, I must say phooey to #3.

When I took my CCW permit class this was of course a hot topic. It all comes down to 'ready for use.' My 870 is always loaded and always ready because it's always in use as my home defense weapon. The Glock I carry every day is always loaded because it's always in use as my carry piece.

[doctor_ocks]

Instead of the NRA's number three, I prefer to think of every gun as already loaded--and I check to see if it's unloaded when I hand it off as well as when I recieve it. You know, like the Cooper version.

Well, I'd be happy to change whatever you guys want. Just let me know.

[kyle]

Even with my refreshed enthusiasm in firearm safety, I must say phooey to #3.

Yeah, I don't I care for that rule the way it is worded but for new shooters it's better to keep it simple.

My rule... Unless it's concealed on my body, sitting next to a bed (with me in it), holstered on my body, slug over my shoulder, or in my hand - I never keep them loaded.

My habit is to always check the action before I set a firearm down or hand it to someone and make sure it's empty. It's a bad habit to ever hand someone a loaded firearm. If they don't know how to load it themselves they shouldn't be using it. Also, someone may fumble the firearm during the handing over. It's a very bad habit and simply not worth the risk. you're asking for a unintended discharge.

I also, like clockwork, check the action of a gun whenever I pick it up or someone hands one to me. I like to always know the status of a firearm eventhough I still ALWAYS treat it as loaded.

My rules:

1) Always keep muzzle in safe direction
2) Always keep finger off the trigger until aiming at something you want to destroy
3) Routinely check the firearm's action to know it's status (although always treated as loaded)

When I explain the muzzle control to young shooters I tell them to imagine there is a laser coming out of the muzzle at all times, to help them judge if it's in a safe direction or not.

[doctor_ocks]

I modified rule number 3 and added Coopers rule #4 - which was listed under the rules of use, but I think is better added to the 'main' rules.

I also took the pics out just to cover ZS from any copyright issues.

[kyle]

by the way, nice post, doctor_ocks.

I'm making it a sticky.

We can change it as needed. We'll need some pics though. If someone wants to get some nice pics of the rules above I'll host them on ZS and put them in there.

[doctor_ocks]

by the way, nice post, doctor_ocks.

I'm making it a sticky.

We can change it as needed. We'll need some pics though. If someone wants to get some nice pics of the rules above I'll host them on ZS and put them in there.

No problem. You guys just let me know what needs to be changed to make everyone comfortable with it.

If I don't have to go out tonight, and someone else doens't beat me to it, I'll take example pics for the rules.

[suntzu]

Here is an excerpt from Colonel Cooper's book on pistols. The rules relate to all firearms though.

Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety



RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET



RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it;e.g. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." Unfortunately, the "as if" compromises the directness of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good! Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance.

All guns are always loaded - period!

This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, "Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it. Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal, "I didn't know it was loaded!"

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

Conspicuously and continuously violated, especially with pistols, Rule II applies whether you are involved in range practice, daily carry, or examination. If the weapon is assembled and in someone's hands, it is capable of being discharged. A firearm holstered properly, lying on a table, or placed in a scabbard is of no danger to anyone. Only when handled is there a need for concern. This rule applies to fighting as well as to daily handling. If you are not willing to take a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. This rule also applies to your own person. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your extremities, e.g. using both hands to reholster the pistol. This practice is unsound, both procedurally and tactically. You may need a free hand for something important. Proper holster design should provide for one-handed holstering, so avoid holsters which collapse after withdrawing the pistol. (Note: It is dangerous to push the muzzle against the inside edge of the holster nearest the body to "open" it since this results in your pointing the pistol at your midsection.) Dry-practice in the home is a worthwhile habit and it will result in more deeply programmed reflexes. Most of the reflexes involved in the Modern Technique do not require that a shot be fired. Particular procedures for dry-firing in the home will be covered later. Let it suffice for now that you do not dry-fire using a "target" that you wish not to see destroyed. (Recall RULE I as well.)



Rule III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

Rule III is violated most anytime the uneducated person handles a firearm. Whether on TV, in the theaters, or at the range, people seem fascinated with having their finger on the trigger. Never stand or walk around with your finger on the trigger. It is unprofessional, dangerous, and, perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking. Never fire a shot unless the sights are superimposed on the target and you have made a conscious decision to fire. Firing an unaligned pistol in a fight gains nothing. If you believe that the defensive pistol is only an intimidation tool - not something to be used - carry blanks, or better yet, reevaluate having one around. If you are going to launch a projectile, it had best be directed purposely. Danger abounds if you allow your finger to dawdle inside the trigger guard. As soon as the sights leave the target, the trigger-finger leaves the trigger and straightens alongside the frame. Since the hand normally prefers to work as a unit - as in grasping - separating the function of the trigger-finger from the rest of the hand takes effort. The five-finger grasp is a deeply programmed reflex. Under sufficient stress, and with the finger already placed on the trigger, an unexpected movement, misstep or surprise could result in a negligent discharge. Speed cannot be gained from such a premature placement of the trigger-finger. Bringing the sights to bear on the target, whether from the holster or the Guard Position, takes more time than that required for moving the trigger finger an inch or so to the trigger.



RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a fight. Do not assume anything. Know what you are doing.



SUMMARY:

Make these rules a part of your character. Never compromise them. Improper gunhandling results from ignorance and improper role modeling, such as handling your gun like your favorite actor does. Education can cure this. You can make a difference by following these gunhandling rules and insisting that those around you do the same. Set the example. Who knows what tragedies you, or someone you influence, may prevent?

Excerpted from: The Modern Technique of the Pistol, by Greg Morrison, Gunsite Press, Paulden, Arizona, ISBN 0-9621342-3-6, Library of Congress Number 91-72644, $40[/url]