Firearms are dangerous, but they can be a fun activity to do outdoors or at family events. Before you can even think about touching a firearm of any kind, there are a few rules to follow. Although you will often hear the famous "10 rules for handling firearms safely", many owners believe there are many more than 10. We have listed 15 here.
The following rules are ordered by importance (from the most important to the least important), but they are all fundamental and must always be respected. Safety in handling firearms must always come first: being only 99% safe is always the prelude to a tragedy when it comes to firearms.
Steps
Step 1. Always keep the gun pointed at an area with no people
- This rule surpasses all others. It's a simple concept, if the gun is not aimed at anyone, an accidental shot won't hurt anyone.
- This also includes always being able to control what the barrel of the gun is pointing at during transport, especially if you are walking.
Step 2. Suppose the weapon is always loaded
Even if you know the firearm is unloaded, you must always treat it with the same respect as you would with a loaded firearm. For example, even if you have checked 3 times that it is low, never point it at people (always obey rule 1)
Step 3. Don't keep your fingers on the trigger
- This prevents accidental shots from being fired in case you press it. In handguns, there is usually an area behind the trigger where you can hold your finger. For shotguns and other firearms, it is best to remove your hand completely from the trigger area. There are so many other ways to carry a gun around …
- In addition to this, it is good to remember that you must not rely on the safety of the gun with your eyes closed. While human error is more likely to cause problems, the safety may fail, and pulling the trigger thinking you have it engaged can result in an accidental shot.
- Some guns do not have manual safety. In this case, they often have a safety integrated into the trigger, slide or hammer. These types of pistols are especially dangerous in the hands of inexperienced shooters. But practice and keeping safety rules in mind can slightly smooth out the danger of these types of weapons.
- When at the range, do not keep your finger on the trigger until the gun is pointed at the target. This can be a hard habit to overcome because it may feel natural to keep your finger on the trigger while waiting to shoot.
Step 4. Be sure of the target and what is in the path of the bullet
- Is very important. Now that you just have to shoot, you need to be well aware of what your target is and what is behind it. In many cases the fired bullets can pass through the target. Also pay attention to anything the bullet might encounter along its trajectory. The bullet could hit unintentional targets, bouncing or changing direction.
- When you're shooting with other people present, make sure you don't have anyone in front of you. Not only is he unsafe, he is also rude. Whoever shoots must be in a row, side by side. This can prevent accidents, and also prevents someone from being taken aback by the sound of the shot. Even the smallest handguns such as a.22 LR can make a noise that will make a grown man jump in amazement. Anyone standing in front of or on either side of the weapon can hear it. Larger caliber weapons can make a noise that can cause headaches or severe hearing damage.
Step 5. Firearms must be unloaded when you pass them to someone or when not in use
- If you give your gun to someone, it must be unloaded. Check the magazine and barrel. When the weapon is not going to be used immediately, it must be unloaded in the same way. When someone hands you a firearm, check that it's unloaded until it's time to shoot.
- A good way to signal that a firearm is unloaded is to lock the slide or hold the barrel in the open position. This will ensure that, even if the trigger is pressed accidentally, no shots will be fired.
- Check your firearm manual. It usually explains the safest way to unload or transport the weapon.
- When you are not using the weapon, or while carrying it, you should always unload it. In many areas it is forbidden to shoot with a loaded firearm in the vehicle without proper permits, even if you are only transporting it to a shop or firing range.
Step 6. Use the correct ammo
- Using the wrong ammunition, in addition to damaging or destroying your firearm, could also cause you serious injury or endanger your life. Each weapon is designed to work with ammunition of a specific caliber or diameter, and sometimes even the right number of bullets. In fact, cartridges overloaded with sinkers or loaded incorrectly can be a threat both to the firearm and the shooter and to the surrounding people. An unexpected detonation inside the weapon, such as to put it out of action, takes the name of: "kaBoom" or simply "kB!".
- Example: Although the cartridge of a.40 S&W caliber would fit into the magazine of a.45 ACP, inserting a smaller bullet than it was designed for could cause the bullet to burst as soon as it exited the barrel or inside the pistol., causing her to eject the fragments of that bullet dangerously. Some guns can suffer from kB! due to poorly refilled cartridges. Some of the more popular pistols to have this problem are the M1911 and the.40 S&W Glocks, both of which have the problem if you are using overfilled cartridges. This problem is caused by the internal design of these weapons, and cannot be solved.
- Ready-made ammunition is usually the best. Their load and pressures have been tested several times through expensive machinery during the production process, always guaranteeing the greatest possible load without creating problems. In general, the most expensive ammunition is the best, but that's not always the case.
- You'll also need to pay attention to powder-loaded ammo. Both 9x19mm (9mm Luger Parabellum) and.45 ACP cartridges (and other cartridges) can be produced under the abbreviation "TAP" or otherwise depending on the manufacturer, and are known as "hot" shots. They contain extra powder which causes more pressure inside the barrel. The next step is "+ P", and 9x19mm ammunition also exists in this variant. Each step increases the pressure within the chamber, which will result when in increased velocity for the bullet. However, many guns are unable to reliably fire "+ P" shots without being damaged. A double anti-recoil spring is a good sign that a pistol will be able to fire "hot" shots without any problems, but asking the manufacturer or checking the manual is definitely the best way to be sure you are not damaging your firearm and not. endanger yourself and others.
- For rifles like the.223 Remington, there are additional considerations to make. The 5.56x45mm NATO rounds are the same size as those for the.223 Remington. However, a rule of thumb is that if a weapon is sold as a.223 caliber it cannot fire 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. There are combustion chambers with different characteristics. Most.223 rifles have a SAAMI chamber, different from the Mil chambers used on M16s and other military rifles. The SAAMI is designed for maximum accuracy, but it is not as strong as the Mil, which has large tolerances for pressure. Mil chambers are capable of firing.223 copies (albeit with less accuracy) but NOT vice versa.
- The.308 Winchester and the 7.62x51mm NATO are one and the same, so in that case there is no extra precaution to take.
Step 7. Always wear ear and eye protection
- For many small arms, hearing protection is not completely necessary, but it remains highly recommended. While the noise of a small gun won't cause eardrum pain any time soon, it could damage your hearing in the long run. When shooting anything more than a.22 LR caliber, you should always wear adequate armor, especially if you plan on going through long gun training sessions. Hearing your ears ringing after firing a shot is a sign that your ears have exceeded their limits and that you may have done permanent damage to yourself.
- You should always protect your eyesight properly. Even you are sure that your firearm will have no problems, minor problems may arise due to overheating of it or from a defect in the ammunition. There is also the problem of the shells that being ejected could hit you in the eye. Another problem that could arise with large calibers or very short-barreled pistols is that of free airborne powders, or gases, which could deflect the back of the bullet and redirect it towards you.
Step 8. If your gun doesn't fire even though you pulled the trigger, be very careful
- If you pulled the trigger and there was no "boom", make sure the bullet didn't stay in the chamber. If you're absolutely sure it's not there, fix the problem. If, on the other hand, you think there is a cartridge in the chamber, keep the pistol pointed at the target. You can try firing again (if you have a semi-auto), try once or twice and if still nothing happens, keep the gun aimed at the target for another 20 seconds. If the bullet still does not fire, carefully remove the magazine (if possible) and take the round out of the chamber. Now place the unexploded shot in a safe area away from humans, valuables or other ammunition.
- The problem probably lies in the defective shell of the bullet and is much more common in hand-loaded ammunition than in purchased ammunition (see rule 6).
Step 9. Make sure the chamber and barrel of the firearm are not obstructed before firing
Anything obstructing the barrel can cause extensive damage to the gun and the barrel itself; it can even cause a kB! Obstructions in the chamber can prevent the bullet from being loaded properly, or prevent it from loading altogether. They can also cause problems in extracting or ejecting bullets, which would drastically reduce the reliability of the weapon
Step 10. Keep your firearm in good condition
- Maintenance is to be kept in mind. The older your weapons are, the more important it becomes. In general, guns should be cleaned after each use. Some firearm manufacturers recommend wearing protective eyewear before disassembling the firearm. This can prevent damage caused by an inadvertently set spring or other components that could be thrown when you take the weapon apart.
- Semi-automatics should at least be "uncovered" (if possible), and cleaned with a cloth or brush and solvent. The barrel must be cleaned with a special brush. There will likely be a lot of gunpowder and carbon in the barrel, so you'll need to use more than just a toothbrush. Once clean, wipe it again with a clean cloth (to remove all solvent). Any moving parts must be lubricated with gun oil (except the drum of the semi-automatic which may collect dirt and carbon from the oil). The outside of the barrel and the slide rails must be equally lubricated. Using too much oil, however, can cause dirt and carbon to build up in those areas. Once everything is lubricated, wipe the outside with a clean cloth to remove any excess oil and pull the slide back a couple of times to spread all the oil on the mechanism.
- Taking apart shotguns and shotguns to clean them can be a little more complicated. Alternatively, a brush with solvent can be used to clean the combustion chamber without disassembling too many components. Clean as much as possible with a clean cloth. Use a solvent to clean the barrel. Lubricate the trigger mechanism (following the manual) with gun oil.
- If your firearm will be unused for a long time, it is best to clean it thoroughly before storing it. You will find products on the market that will protect your firearms for many years (even decades if needed), but they are not recommended if the detention will only last a few years (or less). It is best to clean them well and oil them (even more than necessary this time). Every 6 to 8 months, you should reapply the oil (and maybe clean them if they have been covered in dust). With a lot of oil and a good initial cleaning, your guns will remain in great condition. Storing them in a dry place will certainly help, but the oil should still protect them from moisture. When you go to get them back you will need to clean them again and reapply the oil.
Step 11. Only make safe modifications to your firearms
While many advise not to modify your weapons (which would mean maintaining the warranty and not compromising their reliability), you will be able to do so as long as every modification is done in the right way. In general it is best to leave any changes to the factory, but this is not always possible. A craftsman who has obtained the correct certifications from the manufacturer of your firearm is your second choice. If there are no gunsmiths in your area or none of them have the right certifications, maybe it's best to leave your guns as they are. Never change them yourself. Any poorly done modification to your weapon can cause serious damage to it, and give rise to problems such as kB! every time you shoot
Step 12. Learn the safety rules and firing characteristics of your firearm
- Learning how to use your firearm safely is essential. Learn to empty the magazine (if there is one), empty and check the chamber, put the safety on (if there is), and learn to control the barrel.
- The firing characteristics are another fundamental step towards knowing your weapon. If you are unsure about certain aspects of your weapon, such as the amount of recoil, ask someone who has more knowledge of that type of weapon. Make sure you can handle your firearm safely.
Step 13. Never shoot at flat or hard surfaces (including water)
- While some materials seem harmless to shoot at, many metal surfaces or other rigid and / or flat surfaces are actually very dangerous targets. These surfaces, including water, can cause sudden deflections and ricochets of the bullet. They may even deflect it until it bounces off the shooter.
- Smaller, slower velocity bullets (such as the.22 LR) are known for their ability to be easily deflected. Due to their light weight and low speed, objects such as wood, rocks, or even just dirt, can deflect it. Refer to rule 4.
- The good news about deflected bullets is that (in general) bullets do not bounce as a rubber ball would because of the higher velocities (even those of slow bullets are still quite high) and because bullets tend to follow trajectories parallel to full. of the objects that have diverted them. So the position the shooter is in is undoubtedly the safest position to be in in case a bullet is deflected. Of course there are exceptions, there are solid bullets that could bounce, and hitting rubber objects could also cause a bounce, just as objects with a specific angle could cause the bullet to return to the sender, hitting the shooter.
Step 14. Never leave your loaded firearm out of your control
- If you have a loaded firearm, never leave it unattended, whether it's at the shooting range or at your home. If you're not sure who can find it, it's best to unload it, secure it, and put it in a safe or case. To be even safer, keep the ammo in a different place, perhaps under lock and key.
- Make sure you comply with all local laws regarding the possession and custody of firearms. Some states don't require you to lock your guns, but keep in mind that if you don't, children or other people may have access to be and ammunition.
Step 15. Do not use alcohol or drugs if you have to handle guns
Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs (even those prescribed by your doctor) can alter your mental faculties. This can be lethal for and for others. NEVER, under ANY circumstances, use a firearm unless you are completely sober
Advice
- Learn to insert the safety (if any)
- Except for firearms held for self-defense purposes, only carry unloaded firearms with the safety locked in your car or home.
- Never carry a loaded firearm while climbing a fence or climbing a tree. Hunters who use tree posts must collect their weapons discharges using a rope or similar only after climbing the tree. When you need to get off, unload your weapons before setting them down, even if you are in a hurry to reach your prey.
- In many states, shooting an intruder to defend one's property is not considered self-defense. Know the laws in force.
Warnings
- Read the manual of the weapon you are going to use before you even pick it up.
- NEVER look inside the barrel of a loaded or unloaded firearm. The first time you do this may also be the last.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after shooting. Dust, lubricant, and metal residues can stick to your hands, and are potentially dangerous if ingested.
- Make sure you obey the law when shooting.
- Don't think about keeping a firearm in the waist of your pants or pocket. It's a great way to shoot yourself in the foot. A holster will allow you to carry it without pointing it at you.
- Firearms are very dangerous, and they can be lethal. For this reason they should only be used by experienced people or by people supervised by experienced instructors.
