Gun Safety, Gun Etiquette, and Gun Storage

1

• Gun Safety, Gun Etiquette, and Gun Storage
• Protocols everyone should know and follow.
• www.GunSafetyNow.com

2

• 12 golden rules for safe gun handling
• 1. Always treat the gun as loaded.
• 2. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe
  direction.
• 3. Always keep your finger straight and off the
  trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• 4. Always keep the gun unloaded until your are
  ready to shoot it.
• 5. Never point the gun at anything you dont
  intend to destroy.
• 6. Be certain of your target and what is beyond
  it.
• 7. Learn the mechanical and handling
  characteristics of your gun before you use it.
• 8. Always use the proper ammunition.
• 9. Be sure the barrell is clear of obstructions
  before loading and shooting.
• 10. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger
  is pulled, hold your shooting position for a few
  seconds, then with your muzzle pointed in a safe
  direction, unload the gun.
• 11. Dont rely on the guns safety to keep it
  from firing.
• 12. Be aware of your surroundings when handling
  guns so you dont trip or lose your balance and
  accidentally point and/or fire the gun at anyone
  or anything.

3

• Gun Etiquette
• Alcohol and/or drugs should never be consumed or
  used when handling firearms.
• The first thing you do when you pick up any gun,
  is to check and see if its loaded.
• Before you pick up or accept a gun from someone,
  make sure you know how it works. If you dont
  know or cant remember, dont be embarrassed to
  ask someone to show you. Its the smart thing to
  do.
• When handing a gun to someone, remove the
  magazine if it has one, open the cylinder or lock
  open the action and look in the gun including the
  chamber to make sure it is not loaded. Then,
  with the cylinder or action still locked open,
  hand the unloaded gun to the person with the
  muzzle pointing away from them. That person will
  then take possession of the gun and do the same
  thing out of respect for the gun and the person
  that just handed it to them. The recipient is
  then clear to close the cylinder or action and
  inspect the gun. When the gun is handed back or
  to the next person, the same process is followed
  each and every time.

4
Gun Etiquette (Cont.)

• Handle the guns of others with care and respect.
  When dealing with other
• peoples guns
• Dont let the slide or action slam forward in
  Automatic Pistols. (unless loading the chamber to
  shoot)
• Dont let the hammer fall uncontrolled.
• Dont fling or slam the cylinder shut on
  Revolvers.
• Dont let the bolt slam forward in Semi-Automatic
  Rifles and Shotguns. (unless loading the chamber
  to shoot)
• Dont quickly and forcefully close the bolt on
  bolt action Rifles, Lever action Rifles and pump
  action Shotguns and Rifles.
• Close break action Shotguns, Rifles, and Pistols
  with care.

5
Rules for safe gun handling

• Range Safety
• Follow the 12 golden rules.
• Know and follow all the rules of the Shooting
  Range.
• Listen and do what the Range Master tells you to
  do.
• Uncase and case your gun at the shooting bench,
  never behind the safety line.
• Always keep the barrel pointed down range.
• Always keep the gun on safe until you intend to
  shoot.
• Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
  
• Never shoot at water or hard surfaces.

6

• Range Etiquette
• Always pick up your spent cases and/or shells
  when youre done shooting.
• Always take down your targets when you're done
  shooting.
• Always straighten up your area before you
  leave.
• Never eat or drink while shooting. After shooting
  always wash your hands and face before you eat or
  drink. It is also a good idea to change your
  clothes as soon as possible and put them in the
  wash to avoid spreading powder residue.

7

• Hunting Etiquette
• Know and follow all hunting rules and regulation
  for your type of hunt and the area you are
  hunting in.
• When approached by a Conservation Officer, Police
  Officer, another Hunter or anyone else, always
  hold your firearm in a non threatening manner. If
  your rifle or shotgun has a sling, use it and
  sling your firearm over your shoulder. If you are
  caring a pistol, put it in the holster.
• Always pick up your spent cases and/or shells
  after you shoot.
• Never litter and please pick up the trash and
  other stuff left behind by inconsiderate people.
• Always leave your camp or hunting area in better
  condition then what you found it.

8
Rules for safe gun handling

• Hunting Safety
• Follow the 12 golden rules.
• When hunting in a group, always pick one person
  to act as a Safety Officer for the Day or Trip.
• Establish and share everyone's zone of fire with
  each other and know where everyone is at all
  times.
• Always keep the gun on safe until you intend to
  shoot.
• Never climb over anything with a loaded gun in
  your hand or on your person.
• Never use a scope on a gun as Binoculars.
• If you fall or trip, control your muzzle.
  Afterward, check the gun for damage and/or
  obstructions in the barrel.
• When in Doubt Don't shoot.

9
Rules for Safe Gun Storage

• Keep all guns and ammunition out of the reach of
  children, untrained adults, and those who would
  use them improperly.
• Always keep your guns locked in a Gun Safe that
  cannot be easily broken into or taken away. If
  one is not available, use a Cable Lock or Trigger
  Lock (one that goes behind the trigger is
  preferred) and store the guns out of the reach of
  those who should not have access to them.
• Keep the keys to gun safes and gun locks hidden
  and out of the reach of those who should not have
  access to them.
• Store your guns unloaded and with the safety on.
• Keep the guns dry, cleaned, and oiled while in
  storage.
• Store guns and ammunition in a dry cool place
  and away from heat and
• fire.
• www.GunSafetyNow.com