1. ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION
This is the most basic safety rule. If everyone handled a firearm so carefully that the muzzle never pointed at something they didn’t intend to shoot. If an accidental discharge occurs,as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction no injury can occur.
2. FIREARMS SHOULD BE UNLOADED WHEN NOT ACTUALLY IN USE
Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range or shooting area. Unload firearms when not in use to prevent children and unauthorized adults from gaining access to firearms or ammunition.
3.DON’T RELY ON YOUR GUN’S “SAFETY”
Treat every gun as though it can fire at any time. The “safety” on any gun is a mechanical device which can and will fail to avoid risk of injury please go back to rule #1.
4. When hunting be aware of your surroundings and what may lay far beyond it you may not be able to see what may be beyond it use sound judgement when operating a firearm. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike.
5. Use Correct Ammunition
Read all warnings, including those that appear in the gun’s instruction manual and on the ammunition boxes.Using improper or incorrect ammunition can destroy a gun and cause serious personal injury
6. IF YOUR GUN FAILS TO FIRE WHEN THE TRIGGER IS PULLED, HANDLE WITH CARE
Occasionally, a cartridge may not fire when the trigger is pulled. If this occurs, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech. Then, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.
Any time there is a cartridge in the chamber, your gun is loaded and ready to fire even if you’ve tried to shoot and it did not go off. It could go off at any time, so you must always remember Rule #1 and watch that muzzle!
7.Eye and Ear Protection
All shooters should wear protective shooting glasses and some form of hearing protectors while shooting. Exposure to shooting noise can damage hearing, and adequate vision protection is essential. Shooting glasses guard against twigs, falling shot, clay target chips and the rare ruptured case or firearm malfunction. 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. There is a wide variety of eye and ear protectors available.
8.BE SURE THE BARREL IS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE SHOOTING AND NO ALTERING OF GUNS
Placing a smaller gauge or caliber cartridge into a gun (such as a 20-gauge shell in a 12-gauge shotgun) can result in the smaller cartridge falling into the barrel and acting as a bore obstruction when a cartridge of proper size is fired. This can cause a burst barrel or worse.
Firearms are complicated mechanisms that are designed by experts to function properly in their original condition. Any alteration or change made to a firearm after manufacture can make the gun dangerous and will usually void any factory warranties. Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others by altering the trigger, safety or other mechanism of any firearm.
FriendlyUnderFire 