Gun safety is imperative in our society. There are three key aspects of gun safety. These rules provide basic safety skills for owning and operating a gun of any type.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
- Keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
These three rules, if followed, can prevent any accidental shootings. States that have CCW laws that require classes in order to carry a gun, see fewer accidental shootings than states that do not allow conceal carry. This is due to the training required to obtain a carry license. Every accidental shooting involves one or more of these rules being violated.
We responded to a reported shooting at a residence. The 911 call indicated that a man had been shot in the leg. On arrival we found a middle aged man with a bullet wound to left leg. The wound was bleeding heavily. The bleeding was controlled and the patient was transported to the hospital.
When asked how the gun shot happened, he stated he was cleaning his gun. Strange, because there was no gun cleaning equipment in the area. We still don’t know exactly what happened but I can assure you one of the three basic rules was not followed.
These rules are also relevant for recreational shooting, hunting and sport shooting. Anytime a gun is to be used these three mandatory rules must be followed by the shooter.
Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger
In my CCW classes, this seems to be the hardest rule for the student to follow. We teach the student to “index” the gun, which mean the index finger should be on the side of the gun when picking it up, drawing it from the holster or merely holding the gun. It only takes a half a second to position your finger on the trigger to shoot. Practice indexing with an empty gun to develop muscle memory.
Always Keep The Gun Pointed In Safe Direction
At the shooting range, keeping the gun pointed down range is appropriate and safe. In your home pointing the gun up may not be appropriate if you live in two story home and someone is upstairs. Pointing the gun down when standing on concrete may not be safe. Your location and your environment will indicate the safest direction to point your gun.
Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use
If you use you gun for hunting or recreational shooting, the gun should not be loaded until ready to use it. If you are using your gun for self defense the gun must be loaded at all times. Self defense requires the gun to be ready for use at all times. No matter how you use your gun always act as if it were loaded.
If you carry your gun for self defense, follow the law and the safety rules at all times. Always respect the weapon for what it is.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.
Titus 3:1
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