In our last article on handgun safety we were able to highlight and talk about five handgun safety rules. Here are the remaining five :
HANDGUN SAFETY RULE 6: EMPLOY THE RIGHT AMMUNITION
You must take serious responsibility for only using the appropriate ammo for your weapon. Both signs, including those in the gun’s instruction manual and on the ammunition boxes, should be read and followed.
Using the wrong ammo will ruin a gun and result in serious personal injuries. It only takes one incorrect caliber or gauge cartridge to ruin your rifle, and it only takes a second to double-check each one as you load it. Be ensure that the ammo you’re using meets the requirements outlined in the gun’s instruction manual as well as the manufacturer’s markings on the weapon.
You must take serious responsibility for only using the appropriate ammo for your weapon. Both signs, including those in the gun’s instruction manual and on the ammunition boxes, should be read and followed.
Using the wrong ammo will ruin a gun and result in serious personal injuries. It only takes one incorrect caliber or gauge cartridge to ruin your rifle, and it only takes a second to double-check each one as you load it. Be ensure that the ammo you’re using meets the requirements outlined in the gun’s instruction manual as well as the manufacturer’s markings on the weapon.
HANDGUN SAFETY RULE 7: BE SURE TO PUT ON EAR AND EYE PROTECTION WHILE SHOOTING
When firing, all shooters should wear proper shooting glasses and other form of hearing protection. Hearing loss may occur as a result of exposure to shooting noise, and proper vision safety is needed. Shooting glasses protect you from twigs, dropping projectile, clay goal chips, and the occasional ruptured case or malfunctioning handgun. Wearing protective eyewear when disassembling and washing any gun can also help avoid interaction with springs, spring tension components, solvents, or other agents. There are several options for eye and ear protection. They can never be left behind by a target shooter or hunter.
While the majority of shooting safety laws are meant to protect you and those around you, this guideline is solely for your benefit. Additionally, wearing hearing and eye protection simplifies shooting and contributes to the enjoyment of the shooting sports.
HANDGUN SAFETY RULE 8: CHECK THE BARREL FOR OBSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO SHOOTING
Prior to loading the handgun, open the action and check to ensure that there is no ammunition in the chamber or magazine. Ascertain that the barrel is free of all obstructions. Even a minor amount of dirt, snow, excessive lubricating fluid, or grease in the bore may result in dangerously elevated pressures, causing the barrel to bulge or even burst when fired, resulting in damage to the gunman and bystanders. Make it a routine to clean the bore and look for obstructions directly before shooting with a cleaning rod. If the noise or recoil generated by firing is small or is not exactly “correct,” instantly stop firing and search to ensure that no obstacle or projectile has become stuck in the barrel.
As a smaller gauge or caliber bullet is loaded into a gun (for example, a 20-gauge shell in a 12-gauge shotgun), the smaller cartridge will fall into the muzzle and serve as a bore obstacle when a larger cartridge is fired. This will result in a barrel burst or worse. This is a classic example of “haste causes waste.” This sort of accident is easily avoidable if you pay careful attention to each cartridge you inject into your handgun.
HANDGUN SAFETY RULE 9: REMOVE ANY ALTERATIONS OR MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR GUN AND Get IT SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS
Handguns are intricate mechanisms that need professional design in order to operate properly in their original state. Any modification or adjustment made to a handgun after it has been manufactured will render it unsafe and would typically negate any factory warranties. Do not jeopardize your or others’ protection by modifying the bolt, safety, or other function of a handgun, or by enabling unqualified individuals to fix or change a pistol. Generally, you’ll wreck a costly firearm. Avoid it!
Your arsenal is a mechanical system that will eventually wear down. As such, it must be inspected, adjusted, and serviced on a regular basis. Consult the handgun’s maker for suggested servicing.
HANDGUN SAFETY RULE 10: LEARN THE HANDGUN’S MECHANICAL AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS.
Not all handguns are made equal. Carrying and treating firearms differs according to the technical features of each firearm. With the variety of handguns available, never handle a handgun without first fully familiarizing yourself with the type of handgun you are having, the safe gun handling rules for preparing, unloading, carrying, and handling the handgun, and the safe gun handling rules in general.
For instance, several handgun manufacturers suggest carrying their firearms with the hammer down on an empty chamber at all times. This is particularly valid for vintage single-action revolvers, but also extends to some double-action revolvers and semiautomatic handguns. Always read and respond to the instruction manual that came with your handgun; if you lose your manual, please notify the manufacturer for a replacement.
Possessing a gun is a full-time responsibility. You are incapable of guessing; you are incapable of forgetting. You must understand how to properly use, hold, and store your handgun. Never use a handgun until you have a thorough knowledge of its unique features and proper use.
Hunting and target practice are two of the most safest activities accessible. This list is intended to assist you in making them much better by stressing the fundamentals of proper gun handling and storing and informing you that you are the most important factor in handgun protection.
Registering in hunter safety or gun safety class will assist you in meeting this responsibility. You must consistently emphasize the importance of protection when dealing with firearms, especially for kids and non-shooters. Newbies, in particular, must be carefully watched when handling unfamiliar handguns.
Avoid being fearful when it comes to handgun safety. If you witness anyone breaching certain safety protocols, you are required to focus on better handling procedures, such as those described on this blog.
Adhere to the protective procedures described here, cultivate safe shooting practices, and keep in mind that handgun safety is entirely up to you.