Firearm safety depends on all of us! ALWAYS follow these three simple rules:
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. 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. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
Read the Range Rules. As a member of the Club, you are responsible for knowing and following the Range Rules.
Introduction to Range Safety and Etiquette. This video was produced by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and it covers the following topics:
- Rules of gun safety
- Eye and ear protection
- Range rules
- Role of the range officer
- What to do when you get to the firing line
- Making your handgun safe
- Cease fire -- who can call it, what it means and how you should respond
- Range courtesy, common sense and etiquette
