Families have several reasons to own guns in these uncertain times. Some could be the protection and safety of private property, leisure sports, and hunting in the woods. All the same, it’s critical to be mindful of firearm safety practices to safeguard the lives of everyone around your guns.
Gun control tactics can include safe storage of your guns and ammunition in your home. You can separate your arsenal by caliber and place it on a rack. Use wall mounts, such as the AR 15 wall mount, to hold your firearm safely away from kids and unauthorized firearm handlers.
In this guide, you’ll learn the firearm safety measures to implement in your household.
- Assume The Firearm Is Always Loaded
It’s the first point you should communicate to your family members. Instill in them that it’s crucial always to treat a firearm loaded and ready to fire. There’s no turning back when guns discharge a bullet; the result might be fatal.
- Point The Firearm In A Safe Direction
The most common firearm accidents come from the aimless pointing of the muzzle. It’s probably the most critical rule in firearm safety practices. Never point a gun at anything unless it’s your target and you’re sure it’s threatening your life or that of your loved ones. Don’t be tempted to look inside the muzzle when loading or unloading a firearm.
Aside from going in the wrong direction, a discharged bullet can ricochet in your surroundings. It’s also crucial to note that bullets can break through walls and ceilings and cause damage. So, the recommended direction by the firearm community is up or down in a standing position.
- Unload The Gun Before Storage
It’s crucial to unload your firearms and possibly dismantle the magazines and ammunition before storage. It’s one of the most proactive ways to protect your family from firearm accidents.
Use lockable storage when you want to keep loaded firearms in your room. It’ll help you avoid accidental gunshot injuries or kids playing around with your arsenal. As a parent, adjusting your behavior around the kids while handling your firearm is also crucial.
Avoid tossing firearms at people, no matter their handling experience. When handing over a gun to anyone, it’s imperative to countercheck the chamber to confirm that it’s not loaded. A simple tap on the trigger can discharge a bullet and cause irreversible damage.
- Use Correct Ammunition
The firearms market is forever changing, and several products can endanger people’s lives. Remember, there is no universal ammunition that is suitable for all existing firearms. You must consider using the correct bullets designed for the firearm caliber you keep at home. It’ll ensure you avoid firearm accidents, such as misfires, and you can protect your family by loading the correct bullets.
- Never Test The Trigger When A Firearm Fails To Discharge
Misfiring is one of the common problems that you can experience when using your firearms. It can result from poor firearm maintenance or accidental malfunction. Regardless of the cause, it’s crucial not to test the firearm on yourself or your family members. There’s no undoing what a fired loaded gun can cause, and it can kill instantly.
If you’re using your gun and it fails to discharge a bullet, put it down and unload it completely. Alternatively, you can dismantle it to remove the ammunition loaded in the chamber. Take it to a service center to restore its functionality or stop using it. This will ensure that you safeguard your life and that of those around you.
- Use Protective Equipment When Using A Firearm
Always use protective equipment if you use your firearm for hunting or sports at the shooting range. It’ll protect your ears and eye from the loud noise a gun makes when used and the metal chippings from bullets discharged.
Avoid taking unnecessary risks by ignoring protective equipment, such as shooting range goggles and earmuffs, when using your firearm. This can affect your hearing ability and eyesight, forcing you to live on medical care for your general well-being.
Conclusion
Firearm safety is not a one-time thing you can do and forget about after. You must continuously refresh your knowledge of firearms and improve your handling skills.
To protect your family, you must adjust your mindset, redesign your home layout, and install safe storage options for your firearm collection. When using your guns, always consider them loaded and point them in the safe direction suggested above. Also, keep your ammunition in a separate, locked place to eliminate the chances of unauthorized arsenal use.
