Gun Training: Firearm Safety Rules
Although gun training has many different aspects, one aspect that is more important than any other: safety. The popular firearms training institute Front Sight teaches its students the firearms skills to levels that greatly surpass the law enforcement community. Front sight will teach you how to use a weapon safely and easily. But, the only way to do this is to know and follow the ten basic firearm safety rules. (Disclaimer: These instructions are for example only and should not be used in replacement of actual firearms training or gun training. This is not a gun training document, and it is not intended as a substitute of an actual training course.)
Rule number one is to never put the wrong ammunition into a gun. Doing so can cause the gun, rifle or otherwise, to misfire. This causes injury, sometimes, even death, to not only the shooter but to anyone standing by.
The second rule is to never play around with the ammunition for any firearm. Playing around with ammunition can cause an accidental explosion if the primer is smashed.
The third rule is to keep the firearm pointed away and down when loading. Doing so eliminates the possibility of accidentally shooting oneself or someone else.
Rule number four is to make sure the gun is unloaded when picking it up. If handed a firearm or if picking one up, always check to make sure that the gun is unloaded prior to handling the firearm extensively.
Fifth rule is to never handle a single action firearm while there is a round under the hammer. If the gun is dropped, it could accidentally fire, injuring or killing someone.
Sixth rule is for the shooter, or individual handling the firearm to always keep all fingers off of the trigger. Especially after a firearm is loaded, one must keep his trigger finger on the side of the weapon. Never should a finger touch the trigger until the firearm is ready to be fired.
Rule number seven is to never fire a gun while someone else is in front of the shooter. The shooter must look around and ensure that no one is in front of, or in any position to move in front of the firearm. It's harder to shoot someone if they are behind the gun.
Rule number eight ties into rule number seven. Rule eight states to never point a firearm, loaded or unloaded at another person.
Even if the shooter believes the firearm is unloaded, people do make mistakes and accidents do happen. Rule nine states to make sure the gun is unloaded after firing.
Rule ten ties into rule eight: The shooter, or individual handling the firearm, should always keep the gun pointed away from others and himself when trying to clear a stuck round or a jammed gun. When cleaning the firearm, the bullet could become dislodged and the firearm could fire.
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