Some people shoot guns because they simply enjoy the practice. Others do it to perfect their practice and aim, and there are those that do it just to know how even if they don’t own guns themselves. Regardless of your motivations for firing a gun, there are certain safety steps that you should take before pulling the trigger of any firearm.
1- Assume It Is Loaded
The very first safety tip provided by the California State Department of Justice is that you should always assume the weapon you are dealing with is loaded. Even if you think or know it is not loaded, you still need to always act like it is. It only takes one mental lapse or error to fire off a live round that can damage property, wound someone, or kill them. Every single time you pick up a gun, you need to verify for yourself that it is unloaded.
2- Make Sure Your Supplies Are Legitimate
Whether it’s your actual weapons, your secure storage, or your ammunition, you always need to make sure that you are buying legitimate supplies from reputable dealers. Accidents are the last thing you ever want. While proper training, practice, and usage are always essential when dealing with guns, you also need to make sure you get everything physically involved from stores known to sell genuine merchandise.
3- Always Point the Muzzle in a Safe Direction
Whenever you handle a weapon, make sure the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. Many novice gun owners assume that to be down towards the floor or ground, but they might also risk shooting themselves or someone else in the foot. It’s also possible to risk a ricochet off of hard surfaces and wound someone in the lower extremities. Never point a gun towards your own person or somebody else. The gun should only face your target or a direction where it could fire and not hurt anyone or damage their property.
4- Don’t Finger the Trigger
Never place your finger on the trigger or even close to it until the time has come to actually fire. While it is often physically possible to put your finger on the trigger without enough pressure to actually fire the weapon, it would only take the slightest bump in your body, stutter in your movement, or reflexive spasm to make the weapon discharge. Even a loud noise might make you twitch or jump just enough to wind up firing the gun at a time when you are not ready to do so, and tragedy can result immediately. The trigger is only there to trigger an actual shot, whereas the handle is there for handling the weapon between shots. Don’t use the trigger as a place to rest any of your fingers.
Key Takeaways
Whenever you handle guns, you need to follow many safety rules. These are four of the most basic ones among them:
- Always assume a weapon is loaded.
- Buy legitimate supplies from reputable dealers.
- Keep the gun pointed in safe directions.
- Don’t rest your finger on the trigger.
One bullet hitting your shooting range target near the middle can be a moment of joy and elation, but one bullet accidentally being fired when it shouldn’t be a disaster.