Gun Safety
Gun Safety
Some people like to shoot guns for hunting, some like to shoot them for recreation. Whatever the reason, when using guns, there are steps you need to take to be safe, whether shooting or storing them. The first basic rule is to never assume your gun is not loaded. No matter what, always check to make sure there is no ammunition in the gun. Another big rule is to remember that the safety (which is to prevent the gun from firing) of the gun is a mechanical device and can fail. Always point the gun in a safe direction (which is away from people, etc.). Horseplay should be avoided at all times when handling a gun. For storage, always make sure the gun is unloaded and locked in a location that is inaccessible to children. Ammunition should also be stored in a separate place than the gun. Children are never too young to begin learning lessons about safety. A parent/guardian must set a proper and consistent example. If parents treat guns with respect and care, children will likely follow their lead. You must teach children that guns are not toys. Hunter’s safety is a great way for children to learn all kinds of ways to be safe while handling guns. Four basic rules for hunter’s safety are: Always treat a gun like it is loaded, muzzle control-point it in a safe direction, know your target and what is beyond it, also you never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. All of these rules should apply whenever handling a gun. Some statistics show that safe storage of guns is associated with lower adolescent deaths due to suicides or unintentional injuries. Over half of adolescent suicides were by guns. *Out of 106 cases studied, there were 82 suicide attempts and 24 unintentional injuries. Having an unloaded gun, there was a 70% reduction in injuries, a locked gun 73%, locking ammunition 61%, gun and ammunition stored separately was a 55% reduction. All were effective in protecting against suicide and unintentional injuries. **60.9% of
Some people like to shoot guns for hunting, some like to shoot them for recreation. Whatever the reason, when using guns, there are steps you need to take to be safe, whether shooting or storing them. The first basic rule is to never assume your gun is not loaded. No matter what, always check to make sure there is no ammunition in the gun. Another big rule is to remember that the safety (which is to prevent the gun from firing) of the gun is a mechanical device and can fail. Always point the gun in a safe direction (which is away from people, etc.). Horseplay should be avoided at all times when handling a gun. For storage, always make sure the gun is unloaded and locked in a location that is inaccessible to children. Ammunition should also be stored in a separate place than the gun. Children are never too young to begin learning lessons about safety. A parent/guardian must set a proper and consistent example. If parents treat guns with respect and care, children will likely follow their lead. You must teach children that guns are not toys. Hunter’s safety is a great way for children to learn all kinds of ways to be safe while handling guns. Four basic rules for hunter’s safety are: Always treat a gun like it is loaded, muzzle control-point it in a safe direction, know your target and what is beyond it, also you never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. All of these rules should apply whenever handling a gun. Some statistics show that safe storage of guns is associated with lower adolescent deaths due to suicides or unintentional injuries. Over half of adolescent suicides were by guns. *Out of 106 cases studied, there were 82 suicide attempts and 24 unintentional injuries. Having an unloaded gun, there was a 70% reduction in injuries, a locked gun 73%, locking ammunition 61%, gun and ammunition stored separately was a 55% reduction. All were effective in protecting against suicide and unintentional injuries. **60.9% of