Things to Know About Gun Safety Part 1

Gun collection is a fun hobby that serves some important purposes such as ensuring personal security. However, gun ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. The gun owner community in America is expanding rapidly and according to the latest figures, almost 72 million American adults own a gun. As awesome as guns are, they pose a safety hazard to everyone who lies in their vicinity. One wrong move or misstep can have grave consequences.

This is why it is essential to handle the gun in a cautionary manner and follow standard safety guidelines to ensure the harmless use of the weapon. In this article, we will explore five basic safety guidelines that every gun owner should understand and comply with. 

• The muzzle is the mouth of the gun’s barrel from where the ammunition is discharged. The ammunition is shot from the muzzle so anything that lies in the direction of the muzzle is a potential target for the bullet to hit. The number one rule of gun safety is to always point the muzzle in a safe direction where nobody is around.
• When aiming the gun, make sure that no such object is present which can cause the bullet to ricochet and recoil. Bullets can cross the threshold of windows, walls, and ceilings and can penetrate to the other side. Depending on the circumstances, aiming towards the sky is generally considered safe while in some cases pointing the muzzle in a downward direction doesn’t present any considerable threats either as long as you are outdoors and pointing the gun at an angle away from you and others.
• Even if the gun is unloaded or its safety lock is set in place, don’t point the muzzle at something you don’t intend to shoot in the first place. This caution should be especially practiced when you are loading or unloading a gun. 

While handling a gun, be mentally alert. At all times you should know where the muzzle of the gun is pointing at. Have a firm grasp on the gun so even if you fall or stumble, you can control the direction of the bullet if it escapes the gun.

The second rule for gun safety is to always free the gun from ammunition when it is not in use. It should only be loaded when it is on the target range or in a shooting area and everyone is aware of its presence. Guns and ammunition should be stored in secure and inaccessible places, preferably in separate lockers. This security measure ensures that children, laymen, and unauthorized persons cannot access guns and ammunition. 

• After finishing shooting the gun, unload it immediately. If someone hands you a gun, open the action immediately and inspect the chamber, receiver, and magazine for ammunition. A skilled gun handler is always cautious and never assumes that the gun is unloaded. 

A gun should always be unloaded in the following cases:

• When climbing a fence, tree, or any other position that may exert pressure on the gun and lead to its unintentional firing. 
• When handing over a gun to another person, especially if the action involves forceful pushing or pulling. 
• While carrying a gun in any bag or holster.

Stay tuned for more information on general gun safety tips.