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Gun Safety Tips
1. Always treat all guns as they are loaded.
Make sure when you are handed a gun that you ALWAYS check to see if it is loaded. The moment you forget to check will be when an accident will happen.
2. Always Point a Gun in a Safe Direction.
Make sure that the firearm (weather it is a pellet gun, BB gun, paint ball gun, air soft gun, rifle, revolver, pistol, shotgun or what ever) is pointed in a direction away from any one or anything you do not wish to shoot. Never point a gun at anything you're not willing to shoot.
3. Keep Your Finger off the Trigger.
Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot, and after shooting, move it back out of the trigger guard. This keeps you from firing your firearm when you are not ready to.
4. Know What You’re Shooting at.
Your target is whatever you have decided to shoot. It must be a conscious decision when you shoot something. Don't get lax about this. You need to know what you are going to shoot at, what is between you and it, and what is beyond it. Pay attention.
5. Be Familiar With Your Gun.
All firearms are different. So take the time to learn about the operation and features of the firearm you are planning to use. The time to learn this is not while you are shooting... that is when you need to be learning about grip, shooting positions, trigger control, etc. When you step up to the firing line, you should already know how to operate the gun you'll be shooting. Anyone who plans to use a firearm should first become totally familiar with the type of firearm it is and the safe handling procedures for loading, unloading, carrying, shooting and storing it.
6. Don't Shoot at Hard Surfaces (Including Water).
Make sure of what you are shooting at. Water might not seem like a hard surface, but its density makes it pretty dangerous. It has a tendency to allow bullets and shotgun shot to ricochet (glance off) and fly off in an unintended direction. Hard surfaces like metal, rocks, and hard wood can do this too - and they can even send the projectile back to the shooter.
7. Don't Rely on a Safety Mechanism.
Many guns have a safety device to prevent the gun from firing. These are often reliable, but not always. And some guns have even been known to fire when the safety is released. Use the safety, but don't count on it! Continue to follow the number one rule: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
8. Load Your Gun When You Need to.
This means to load the firearm you are going to use at the time. If you have a personal defense gun it will need to be loaded so you will be able to use it when you need it. You need to make sure the firearms are either unloaded and locked up or if it is a defensive situation it needs to be loaded and in a lock box or safely away from anyone unauthorized to use it.
9. Use the Right Ammo.
Make certain the ammunition you're using is right for your gun. Just because you can put other ammunition in your firearm doesn’t mean it will work properly. The wrong ammunition can cause serious damage and injuries.
10. Pay Attention!
It's easy to get distracted when you're having fun, and target shooting can be a lot of fun, especially if you're enjoying it with friends and family. Take extra care to follow safe gun handling rules, and don't be afraid to correct others when you see them improperly handling firearms. They may not like it, but all participants must follow gun safety rules if everyone is to come home safe and sound.
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