The Twelve Commandments Of Firearm Safety

Assume every firearm is loaded.
- Respect firearms at all times.
- Never play with firearms.
- Never be caught in a position where you have to say, ”I didn’t know it was loaded!”
Control the muzzle direction at all times.
- Keep the muzzle of the barrel pointed in the safest possible position.
- Never point a firearm at a person.
- Insist that your hunting and shooting companions do the same.
- Never discharge a firearm near someone’s ear. The shock from a muzzle blast can cause permanent hearing loss.
Trigger finger must be off the trigger and out of the trigger guard.
- Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you know for sure you are ready to shoot.
- Watch to make sure branches and other snags don’t catch on the trigger by accident.
See that the firearm is unloaded – PROVE it safe.
- Point it in the safest possible direction
- Remove all ammunition
- Observe the chamber to ensure it is empty
- Verify the feeding path has no ammunition in it.
- Examine the bore to ensure there are no obstructions in the barrel.
Be sure of your target and beyond.
- Positively identify your target before you fire. Check to be sure the area beyond your target is clear of people, livestock, roads, buildings, etc. The hunter must be even more carefully in hilly areas. Another person may walk over a hill behind your target and into your line of fire.
Never shoot a rifle at water or a hard, flat surface.
- Rifle bullets will ricochet off of water or hard, flat surfaces and travel for some distance. Be sure you have an adequate backstop or clear line of fire at all times. The shooter has no control over the direction of a ricocheting bullet.
Only point a firearm at things you want to shoot.
- Avoid all horseplay while handling a firearm.
- Never use a scope sight for identifying distant hunters, or as a substitute for binoculars.
Never climb a tree or cross a fence with a loaded firearm.
- When crossing a fence alone, open the action of your firearm and place it under the fence with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction before you cross the fence.
- When with a partner, first open the action of both firearms. One person then holds both unloaded firearms while the other crosses the fence. Once across the fence, both firearms are then passed over from one person to the other.
- Never hurry when crossing fences or other obstacles.
- Always open the action before crossing any difficult obstacle.
Store firearms and ammunition separately.
- Always store firearms under lock and key beyond the reach of children.
- When not in use a firearm must be unloaded with the action open.
- Use a gun case to transport a firearm to and from the shooting area.
Be sure the barrel and action are clear of all obstructions.
- If you fall while carrying a firearm, or suspect anything might have lodged in the barrel PROVE it and reload before carrying on.
Unload firearms when not in use.
- When finished shooting unload your firearm.
- Always think safety first.
- When returning to a vehicle or camp after hunting, unload your firearm away from the vehicle or camp.
- Never have a loaded firearm in a vehicle. This is a senseless and dangerous practice.
Avoid drugs and alcoholic beverages.
- Alcohol and some drugs should never be used before or during a hunt.
- Be watchful of cold and cough medicines. Many drugs can impair your sense of judgment leading to accidents.

by Karen Cay

The Twelve Commandments Of Firearm Safety

The Twelve Commandments Of Firearm Safety

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