Gun Safety for Beginners
Did you know that 43% of U.S. households own at least one gun? Gun owners have reported their buying reasons as protection, recreation or sport, and hunting.
Nonetheless, handling firearms should always come with safety precautions. Here are some gun safety rules for beginners, and a reminder for the experienced.
Gain adequate knowledge about guns before buying one
It's common sense to know what you're heading into before taking the plunge. Regardless of what you're buying, you should want to learn about the product first. It's the same, and especially, with firearms; you can't go to a store and buy one on impulse. That may cause you wasted time and money.
The first thing you should learn is about the different specs of guns and how to use them properly. You can talk to gun owners and learn about firearms from experts. Or, speak with a shop owner and ask them what's best for beginners. There are plenty of materials, such as books or videos to learn from, also. After this, you're going to want to take a proper training course.
Oh, and by the way, you should get familiar with the gun laws in your state too.
Remember to point the muzzle in a safe direction.
Almost always, firearm accidents happen when the muzzle is pointed at something the shooter never intended to shoot. While this may be the most basic safety rule, other people seem to forget about it. This tip comes in handy whether you are loading or unloading a gun to prevent any casualty.
A safe direction means pointing your gun to a clear path where the bullet cannot strike anyone.
Always treat every gun as loaded.
That is until you've meticulously checked it. But if you haven't done a proper safety check, treat your gun as loaded and safety check it immediately. We're not saying you should be paranoid when handling a weapon, but it helps to review a firearm before and after handling.
Safety check every gun before you store it or hand it to someone. You can remove a magazine and still have it around in the chamber, so be very careful with the gun. Also, if someone says that the weapon is "unloaded," still check for yourself. It's not a matter of trust, but more on the safety precautions you should take.
Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
Once a gun fires, you can never take that shot back. Don't shoot unless you know what you're going to strike. Be aware that even a 22 short bullet can travel over 1 1/4 miles, and a high-velocity cartridge, such as a 30-06, can send its shot more than 3 miles.
The good news is, there is safety equipment you can buy right here at Outdoor Savings, to make sure you're well prepared for your next shot.
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