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"The right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be infringed."
2nd Amendment
We're not going to get into political views
on purchasing and owning a firearm.
There's already too much bickering
and division that is taking place
in America these days.
What we are talking about is defending
your life or the life of someone else.
If you or someone else is in imminent
danger of death or serious bodily harm,
the appropriate use of force could
be the use of your firearm.
There are many people these days that disagree
with the right to bear arms, but the truth is:
You do have the legal right to protect yourself,
and your family, according to the Constitution,
State Laws, and also God's Law.
If someone breaks into your home, and you
shoot them as they’re running out the door
holding your TV, the use of deadly force
would land you in a heap of trouble.
But if someone is armed or tries to attack you,
then that's a different story.
You have the right to protect yourself and
your household."
The basic rules of gun safety:
Be a responsible gun owner and get
in the habit of following these
safety rules:
Read and heed all warnings, including those
that appear in your firearm’s instruction manual
and on the ammunition boxes.
Always treat your firearm as if it were loaded.
Never let the muzzle cover anything you
are not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger
until you're ready to shoot.
Always be sure of your target and what's behind it.
There are no second chances with a gun and
the rules for safe gun handling must always be
followed to avoid accidents.
Your life and the lives of others depend on it.
Gun safety is your responsibility, no matter your
age or ability level.
Practice firearm safety at all times.
Never draw your firearm unless you are facing
an imminent, unavoidable threat of death or
great bodily harm.
Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one
of your most important responsibilities.
It is a full-time responsibility.
Never leave a firearm unattended unless it is
unloaded, locked and secured.
Handle every gun as if it’s loaded.
Always keep the gun unloaded until you are
ready to use it.
Never leave a firearm lying around the house.
Whenever your firearm is not in use, keep it
unloaded and locked.
Use a firearms safety device on the gun, such
as a trigger lock or cable lock, so it cannot be fired.
You must always secure your firearm and ammunition
separately so that they are not accessible to
children or other unauthorized persons.
Never leave a loaded gun on the dresser, in a drawer,
in a closet, under the bed, or anywhere that's
accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.
Never let a loaded gun out of your sight or out of
your hands.
Never point your gun at anything you do not intend
to shoot.
This is especially important when loading or unloading
a firearm.
Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
Always be aware of where a gun is pointing.
The key is to control where the muzzle or front end
of the barrel is pointed at all times.
A "safe direction" means that the gun is pointed so
that even if it were to go off it would not cause
injury or damage.
In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury
can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing
in a safe direction.
Even when “dry firing” with an unloaded gun, you
should never point the gun at an unsafe target.
No one will be injured by an accidental discharge
if you always keep your firearm pointed in a
safe direction.
Only point a gun at an object you intend to shoot.
Never point a gun toward yourself or another person.
Always keep your finger off of the trigger until you’re
ready to shoot the gun.
Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until
ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger
guard or along the side of the gun.
Always keep your fingers outside the trigger guard
while loading or unloading.
That is what trigger guards are made for, to enable
you to hold the gun comfortably with your finger
off the trigger.
Know your target and what is around and beyond it.
Check that the areas in front of and behind your target
are safe before shooting.
Be aware that if the bullet misses or completely passes
through the target, it could strike a person or object.
Know how far a bullet will travel if you miss your intended
target or it ricochets in another direction.
Even a .22 LR bullet can travel over a 1 mile and a high
velocity cartridge can send its bullet more than a couple
of miles.
Identify the target and make sure it is what you intend to
shoot.
Be aware of all the people around you before you shoot.
Never fire in a direction in which there are people or
any other potential for mishap.
Whether you are shooting or simply handling your gun,
never point the muzzle at yourself or others.
Never pull or push a loaded firearm toward yourself or
another person.
Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of
the gun you are using.
Never shoot a firearm without checking the barrel
for obstructions.
And never point the gun at your own head when
looking through the barrel.
Make sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions,
and carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm.
Be aware of your surroundings when handling guns so
you don't trip or lose your balance and accidentally
point and/or fire the gun at anyone or anything.
Never shoot a gun in the air during a celebration such as
New Year's Eve.
Not only is this unsafe, but it is generally illegal.
A bullet fired into the air will return to the ground
with enough speed to cause injury or death.
Never shoot what you can’t see.
Never fire at a sound, a movement or a patch of color.
A hunter in camouflage can easily be mistaken for a
target by an impulsive shooter.
Deaths occur each year because someone shot at
a sound or a movement.
“It sounded like a deer” or “It moved like a turkey”.
Never climb a tree or a fence with a loaded gun.
The Safety device on your Firearm:
A gun's safety is a mechanical device and, like
any mechanical device, it could fail.
Human error is a more likely reason for a gun safety
to fail.
By mistake, you may think the safety is "on" when
it really isn't.
You should never handle a gun carelessly and
assume that the gun won’t fire just because
the “safety is on.”
Never place the safety in between positions, since
half-safe is unsafe.
Keep the safety “on” until you are absolutely ready
to fire.
Never handle a firearm carelessly and assume that
your gun won’t fire just because the safety is "on".
Don't rely on the gun's safety to keep it from firing.
Remember that a gun’s safety device is a mechanical
device that can fail.
Never dry-fire a firearm that could be loaded simply
because you’ve engaged the safety mechanism.
Even when dry-firing with an unloaded gun,
never point your gun at an unsafe target.
Regardless if the safety is "on'' or not, any blow
strong enough to actuate the firing mechanism of
a gun can cause it to fire.
This can happen even if the trigger is not touched,
such as when a gun is dropped.
Never rest a loaded gun against any object
because there is always the possibility
that it will slide from its position and fall
with sufficient force to discharge.
Remember, you and your safe gun handling
practices are your gun's best safety.
Blank Ammunition:
Blank ammunition, which is a primed casing filled
with gunpowder, either crimped or covered with a wad,
is dangerous up to 15 feet.
People have injured or killed themselves believing that
blanks were not dangerous.
Therefore, gun safety rules apply even to guns
loaded with blanks.
Storing your firearm:
Store firearms and ammunition separately and safely.
Store it unloaded in a locked container, such as a
lock box or a gun safe.
A safe keeps your guns secure from thieves, protects
them from fire and keeps them out of
unauthorized hands.
While some safes are strictly for storage purposes,
others are meant to keep guns secure but also ready
to go in a location convenient for self-defense.
To protect your ammo in the long term, always store it
in a cool, dry area, preferably in a sealed container.
Ammunition is best stored in the original box.
When choosing an ammo storage location, store
ammo somewhere dry and cool.
A closet inside a home is ideal.
But avoid extremes such as a basement storage
or storing ammo in the attic.
Don’t store ammo near solvents
and cleaning compounds.
Changes in temperature or humidity can cause the
cartridge case to corrode.
This is dangerous, as corrosion can cause a loss
of integrity.
Use only the correct ammunition
for your firearm.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates.
Know its basic parts, how to safely open and
close the action and remove any ammunition
from the gun or magazine.
Read the instruction manual to
find out the specific requirements
of your firearm.
Keep the manual handy in the case where you
store your gun for quick reference.
Do not shoot the gun unless you know you
have the proper ammunition.
Examine every cartridge you put into your firearm.
Ammunition that has become very wet or has been
submerged in water should be discarded in
a safe manner.
Never use damaged or substandard ammunition.
Using the wrong ammunition, mixing ammunition or
using improperly reloaded ammunition can cause
serious personal injury or death.
Use only cartridges or shells that are designed for
a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun.
It only takes one cartridge or bullet of the incorrect
caliber or gauge, or which has been improperly
reloaded to destroy your firearm.
Always read and heed the instructions on ammunition
boxes.
Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on
the barrel.
Ammunition can be identified by information printed
on the box and sometimes stamped on the
cartridge.
Firearm Misfire:
Always handle misfires properly:
When firing, if the noise or recoil from your firearm
seems off or weak, stop everything, unload your
firearm and be sure nothing is lodged in the barrel.
Any time there is a bullet in the chamber, your
gun is loaded and ready to fire even if you’ve
tried to shoot and it did not go off.
Never try to shoot out an obstruction
by loading another shell and firing.
Sometimes, a cartridge may not fire when the trigger
is pulled.
If this occurs, keep the muzzle pointed in a
safe direction.
If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, hold
your shooting position for several seconds;
then with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,
carefully unload the gun.
Keep your face away from the breech.
Then, carefully open the action, unload the firearm
and dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.
Make sure the barrel is clear
of obstructions before shooting:
Before loading your gun, open the action and
make sure there's no ammunition in the chamber
or magazine.
Check the barrel for any obstructions or debris.
Even a small amount of snow, mud, excess lubricant
or grease in the bore can dangerously increase
pressure and cause the barrel to bulge or burst
when firing.
Carefully open the action, unload the firearm and
dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.
Use a cleaning rod and patch to wipe away anti-rust
compounds or any other residues or
obstructions in the barrel.
Cleaning and Maintaining your firearm:
Be sure your gun is safe to operate.
Remember, always treat your firearm as if it were loaded.
Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to
destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
Today’s firearms are rather easy to disassemble, and
each gun is a bit different when it comes to cleaning.
Read the owner’s manual for your particular gun.
The manual will explain exactly how to take your
gun apart safely and clean it.
Keep the manual handy in the case where you
store your gun for quick reference.
Regular cleaning is important in order for your
gun to operate correctly and safely.
Accumulated moisture, dirt or greases can interfere
with the gun’s safe operation.
Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value
and extend its life.
Periodically inspect the internal workings of your
firearm to be sure they're clean and free of rust,
unwanted dirt and debris.
Before cleaning your gun, be absolutely sure that
it is unloaded.
With a semi-auto firearm, push the magazine release
button and drop the magazine.
Next, pull the slide to the rear and eject any round
in the chamber.
Visually inspect the gun again to be sure a round
isn’t in the chamber.
With a double-action revolver, swing out the
cylinder and visually check for rounds.
A single-action revolver requires that the loading
gate be opened and maybe the hammer cocked
back one notch to release the cylinder
so it rotates freely.
Check each chamber of the cylinder to be
sure it’s empty.
Make sure the gun's safety is on during the
cleaning process.
Always use the right cleaning products.
Always clean your firearm in a well-ventilated and
well-lit area away from distractions, young
children and pets.
The best place to work is outdoors or in the garage.
If you need to clean your gun inside, do so near
an open window.
Use a table that is sturdy and free of clutter.
Be careful when working with solvents to prevent
drippage onto wood, painted or other sensitive
surfaces.
Always wear eye protection from flying springs, debris,
and chemical splash/vapors.
So, before you start taking your gun apart for cleaning,
put on your safety glasses.
You should also wear solvent resistant gloves to protect your
hands from contact with chemicals and their absorption.
Use a cleaning mat with a non-slip and solvent resistant
pad when cleaning your firearm.
Many guns have small parts such as pins and springs.
Also use a tray when cleaning your gun, it will keep
help you from losing these small parts.
Use only recommended cleaners and oil lubricants
on your gun and do not over-lubricate.
Excessive use of a non-recommended lubricant could
adversely affect the function and safe operation
of your firearm.
Always clean your gun after use.
This allows for optimal firing conditions.
Always clean the barrel from the chamber end to
the muzzle when possible.
Failure to properly maintain your firearm can not only
damage or ruin your firearm, it can expose you and
others to unnecessary risks of personal injury
or death.
A clean gun is also a safe and reliable gun.
If storing a firearm for an extended period, especially
in a safe, avoid swaddling them in gun socks,
zipper cases, etc.
They can often trap or hold moisture.
A firearm brought out of prolonged storage should
also be cleaned before shooting.
Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease
and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.
If you have a revolver:
Always make sure your revolver is
safely and completely unloaded.
To be sure you have all the ammunition accounted for,
inventory the number of rounds you remove and account
for any that are missing.
This is important as revolvers can sometimes fail to extract
all the rounds from the cylinder.
A revolver is much easier to clean.
A double-action revolver doesn’t require any disassembly
to clean, and a single-action revolver just requires you
to pull the cylinder pin and remove the cylinder from
the frame.
Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun’s
general upkeep.
If there is any question regarding a gun’s ability to function,
have it examined by a knowledgeable gunsmith.
Use gunsmith-specific screwdrivers rather than whatever
is in your household toolbox.
Only use screwdriver bits that precisely fit the screws
on your revolver.
Whenever a firearm is disassembled and reassembled,
a functional check needs to be conducted in order to
ensure that the firearm still operates as designed
following the disassembly.
This checks the proper functioning of the trigger
mechanism, safety, slide operation and locking,
magazine retention and ejection systems
are working.
Follow the owner's manual for your specific firearm
and always follow the rules of gun safety, because
you are responsible for the proper
care and maintenance of your firearm.
If you're a first time buyer:
Before using your firearm for the first time,
it should be cleaned.
Most guns nowadays, if new in the box, are coated
with either a preservative or oil to protect it against
corrosion during shipping and storage.
Field strip your gun and give it a basic cleaning
according to the owner's manual.
Take time to inspect and get familiar with your new gun.
Look for any manufacturing defects, metal shavings
or barrel obstructions.
Make sure to give the barrel a good cleaning,
as well as (if applicable) the slide, the frame and
any and all other parts until your patches
come clean.
Then lubricate, according to the owner's manual.
Use plain gun oil and patches/rags.
This applies primarily to semi-automatic firearms
although any gun with moving parts can
benefit from proper lubrication.
If you keep a loaded firearm
in your home:
If you keep a loaded gun in your home,
always use a trigger guard cover.
It ensures you don’t press off a round while you
grab for the gun in the heat of the moment such as
an intruder breaks in your home.
Because a negligent discharge can happen to even
the most experienced shooter.
Even though using a trigger guard cover of some
sort seems to be a small safety step, it can make
a big difference.
Keep children safe from your firearm:
Again, Never leave a firearm lying around
the house.
You must always secure your firearm and ammunition
separately so that they are not accessible to
children or other unauthorized persons.
Kids are fascinated by guns. It's a natural curiosity that
can have tragic consequences when not properly
supervised.
Never assume that because a child may lack finger
strength, they can't pull the trigger.
A child's thumb has twice the strength of the other
fingers.
When a child's thumb pushes against a trigger, invariably
the barrel of the gun is pointing directly at the
child's face.
Even if you don't have any children or if your children
are grown and left home.
A nephew, niece, a neighbor's child or a grandchild
may come to visit.
While at the Range:
Know and follow all the
rules of the Shooting Range.
Listen and do what the Range Master tells you to
do.
Uncase and case your gun at the shooting bench, never
behind the safety line.
Always keep the barrel pointed down range.
Always keep the gun on safe until you intend to shoot.
Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protection
when shooting.
Gun discharges can emit debris and hot gas that can
cause injury to your eyes, and gun shots are loud and
the noise can cause hearing damage.
Wearing eye protection when disassembling and cleaning
any gun will also help prevent the possibility of springs,
spring tension parts, solvents or other agents from contacting
your eyes.
Never shoot at water or hard surfaces.
Be familiar with your gun:
Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates.
Read the owner’s manual. If you don’t have a manual,
contact the gun’s manufacturer and ask them to send
you one; they'll be happy to do so.
Know your gun’s basic parts, how to safely open and close
the action and how to remove ammunition from the gun.
No matter how much you know about guns, always take the
time to learn the proper way to operate any new or
unfamiliar firearm.
Never assume that because one gun resembles another,
they operate in exactly the same way.
Never alter or modify your gun
and have it serviced regularly.
Your firearm has been designed to operate according to
certain factory specifications.
You'll jeopardize your safety and the safety of others
around you by attempting to alter its trigger, safety
or other mechanisms.
Like any mechanical device, a firearm is subject to
wear.
It must be maintained and periodically serviced to assure
optimum safety and performance.
Never handle a firearm while angry:
Never handle a gun when you are in an emotional state
such as anger or depression.
Your judgment may be impaired.
"Nothing gets solved when we fight angry.
Doing anything out of anger will most probably result
in regrets."
- Bruce Lee
Only defend when you have to.
Even though it is hard, do not seek revenge,
let God handle it.
Remember:
The only time that you should ever use deadly force,
is when you or your family's life is threatened.
Avoid alcoholic beverages before and during shooting.
Also avoid mind or behavior altering medicines or
drugs.
You may be thinking, “I don’t drink or do drugs!”
Even some legal drugs, like prescription medicine
or over the-counter remedies, can impair
your ability to shoot safely.
Read the label of any medication you take and ask
your doctor or pharmacist about possible side
effects.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people to
keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
"The right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be infringed.
A well regulated militia, composed of the body of
the people, trained to arms, is the best and most
natural defense of a free country."
- James Madison 1789
"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent
the people of the United States who are peaceable
citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying
Convention, 1788
"Our nation was built and civilized by men and women
who used guns in self-defense and in pursuit of peace."
- Ronald Reagan
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson
"Self-defense is not only our right; it is our duty."
- Ronald Reagan
There are many training and safety courses that are
available that teach proactive strategies to avoid
dangerous situations, self-defense using a firearm,
as well as protection inside and outside
the home.
