Whether youre using a gun for home security, hunting, or whether you just enjoy shooting, there are some basic guidelines for gun safety you need to follow. Youll hear these guidelines in every gun safety course, and youll see them printed on the instructions of almost any new firearm you purchase.
The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of negligent discharges happen because people fail to follow these basic guidelines. Its always worth taking a few minutes and refreshing them in your mind, just to make sure youre following them at all times.
Here are five of the key guidelines for gun safety:
Dont point at something you dont want to kill or destroy. This is essential. About 30 percent of hunting accidents come from self-inflicted injuries. This means that the barrel or muzzle was pointed at a body part. Know where your gun is pointed at all times, and look far enough out to see what might get hit if the gun goes off.
Always assume a gun is loaded. You should treat every gun as if its got ammunition in the chamber. Get in the habit of treating your guns like that all the time, and youll never have to worry about a negligent discharge.
Keep away from the trigger until youre ready to shoot. The trigger guard is there for a reason. Keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until youve aimed and your gun is pointed at something you intend to kill or destroy.