When it comes to using a gun, you’ll want to make sure that you handle it correctly and with care.
After all, the first reason why people use guns is for protection and if you won’t be able to use it properly, there may be a chance that the gun can hurt you or people near you. That’s why it’s crucial to learn about how you can handle your gun safely, whether in use or in storage.
But how can you do that?
Read on as I show you the…
7 Unwritten Rules to Be Safe around Guns
1. Treat the Gun as Loaded
This is one of the most well-known and self-explanatory rules one should follow. No matter what you think about any gun you handle, whether it’s yours or someone else’s, you should always treat it as if it were loaded and can harm anyone.
You never know what may happen if the safety mechanism stops working!
2. Where to Point Your Gun and Trigger
When pointing your gun somewhere, make sure that it is in a safe direction and not at areas or things you do not want to shoot. If you aren’t using your gun, keep it in your case or holster. Always remember that you should never point guns at whatever you shouldn’t be shooting at.
Furthermore, keep your finger off the trigger unless you are ready to shoot. This is a common mistake many gun owners do. Before and after shooting, keep the finger out of the trigger.
3. Know Your Target
Your chosen target is wherever you decide to shoot. Make sure that you make a conscious decision when you are shooting something. You should always know where you are shooting at and what is around and beyond it.
Do not get lax about where you are shooting. When choosing your target, take your surroundings into consideration as well. If someone is using a gun nearby, make sure that you are out of the way.
4. Load the Gun When Needed
The NRA would advise you to keep all your guns unloaded until one is ready to fire it. But, this is not the best tip for hunters or those using guns for self-defense because they’ll need to use it in a hurry to save or shoot game.
So while you should keep guns unloaded, keep one loaded and handle it responsibly, keeping it in an accessible gun safe when needed.
5. Never Shoot at Hard Surfaces
Avoid shooting at hard surfaces, which may end up having the bullet ricochet and hit you or other people around you. It’s very dangerous!
So avoid shooting at walls, metal, or even rocks and hardwood. Water, which may not look like a hard surface, is also dangerous because of its density. Avoid the projectile and nasty injuries or danger and again, know where you are shooting.
6. Learn All about Your Gun
A lot of people own guns for safety reasons but not all of them know everything about it, unfortunately.
Don’t be like them!
Make sure that you are familiar with how your gun works and how to load or unload it. Familiarize yourself with self-defense and targeting, taking shooting classes to know what you should do in case you’ll need to defend your household.
It’ll teach you more about gun safety as well.
7. Always Pay Attention
For both gun users and those around guns, always pay attention!
People around you may get distracted during target shooting, which can end up with a nasty experience if someone forgets to take his finger off the trigger or jokingly points it at anything.
So don’t get carried away and always stay in the moment, being aware of your surroundings.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it! using guns isn’t just about pointing and shooting. There are things you’ll need to follow so you and other people are safe around it as well. Through following these types of rules, even if they are unwritten, you will become a more responsible gun owner and stay away from danger.
I hope that this article on the 7 unwritten rules to be safe around guns helped you become more knowledgeable on what you should do to stay safe and protected. So don’t wait any longer and start following these rules today.
If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on gun safety, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.
