Rules in Handling a Gun

 

When you are in a Ohio shooting range (or maybe somewhere else where you are handling a gun), there is a good chance that you are familiar with the rules of gun handling. You probably have arrived at this point where you are already doing your practice shooting at a Ohio shooting range. 

The main point of safe gun handling is SAFETY. There are about ten rules of firearms safety but the first four rules are the most important ones. 

Always keep the muzzle (the business end) pointed at a safe direction. 

Among the many rules in handling guns, this is the most basic safety rule. If everyone handles a gun very carefully and the muzzle is not pointed at anybody, there would be no accidents or injuries. 

A Safe direction means the bullet cannot possible strike anyone, taking into considerations that there are many accounts on many ricochets on the bullets and bullets cannot penetrate walls. 

The safe directions may be “up” or down. You need to keep the gun’s muzzle at “safe” even when dry firing” with an unloaded gun. 

Firearms Should Be Unloaded When Not Actually in Use 

Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range or Ohio shooting range, ready to shoot. 

When not in use, firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place. It is your responsibility to prevent anyone (children, and adults) from gaining access to your firearms or ammunition. 

Unload your gun before you bring it into a car, camp or home or hand it to anyone. Always open the action immediately and visually check the gun’s chamber, receiver and magazine.

Never assume the gun is unloaded – always check it. 

Never cross a fence, climb a tree or perform any awkward action with a loaded gun. There will be times when common sense will require you to unload your gun for maximum safety. 

Never rely on your gun’s “safety”. 

Treat any gun like it can fire at any time. The “safety” in any gun is a mechanical device. Like all devices, it can become inoperable at the worst possible time. Also, by mistake, the safety in a gun may be “off” when you think it is “on”. 

Never touch the trigger until you actually intend to shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading or unloading. 

Keep the safety “on” until you are absolutely ready to fire. Never place the safety in between positions, because half-safe is unsafe. 

Be Sure of Your Target and what is Beyond It 

Once a gun fires, you have given all control over where the shot will go or strike. Never shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike. 

No target is so important that you cannot take the time before you pull the trigger to be absolutely certain of your target and where your shot will stop. 

Always think on how far a bullet will travel if it misses your intended target or ricochets in another direction.