Owning and carrying a firearm is a big responsibility. These rules are meant to keep you and others safe. They are simple and straight forward and should always be followed regardless of the situation. Being a responsible firearms owner means following these four rules, always.
1. Always Treat The Gun As If it’s Loaded and Keep it Pointed In A Safe Direction
Always treat every firearm as if it’s loaded. Never “take someone’s word for it” that a firearm is unloaded. Taking the time, and making the effort, to properly make sure the firearm is unloaded yourself should always be done. Also, NEVER trust a firearms safety mechanism. A safety is a mechanical device and all mechanical devices can fail. Finally, when handling a gun care should ALWAYS be taken to never point it at anyone and ALWAYS practice good muzzle awareness. This includes when performing such tasks as cleaning and storing the gun.
2. Always Use Proper Trigger Finger Discipline
Part of the practice of always treating a gun as if it’s loaded is by using proper trigger finger discipline. The trigger finger should only be placed on the trigger once a decision to fire has been made. When unloading, loading and cleaning always keep your finger in the proper position and never on the trigger. Even when you think the safety is engaged. You could be wrong and mechanical devices (such as safeties) can fail.
3. Know Your Target And What Is Beyond It
Always be aware of your surroundings. If there is the slightest possibility of someone or something beyond your target, Don’t Shoot! Also be aware of the possibility of ricochet. If there is a potential of ricochet, Don’t Shoot! Situational awareness can prevent accidents and hazardous situation.
4. Figure Out A Storage Plan
Guns should be stored safely and be inaccessible to untrained and ineligible people. This includes children, persons who have been adjudicated mentally defective, convicted felons and more. In Connecticut it is the law that these people not have access to your guns! Use a safe, trigger lock or the like and secure your firearms. Ammunition should be stored separately from your guns and also be inaccessible and secured. Come up with a plan that works for you and follow it through.
With the majority of my students being novices, beginners or new to using a gun range I thought it would be a good idea to go over a few Gun Range Etiquette Tips. Following these simple tips will make for a more safe and fun range experience.
Before I get to the actual range etiquette I think it’s important to review the NRA’s 3 Rules Of Safe Gun Handling. Following these 3 rules is the most important aspect of range etiquette. The rules are: always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use, and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
1.) Use a Bag
Using a Range Bag is the most considerate way to transport your firearms to and from your car. You should leave your firearms in the bag until you reach your firing point and put it back in before you leave. A range bag is not only considerate but it also allows for transport of all the range essentials including: ammunition, eye protection and hearing protection.
2.) Leave a Space
Leave some space between you and others on the Firing Line. If the range isn’t busy and full, a space between you and other shooters allows for two things. First, it reduces the noise level for you and other shooters. Second, it will give enough space between shooters so the ejected casings won’t inadvertently hit you or another shooter.
3.) Ask Before Taking Empty Brass
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, taking someone else’s spent cases is a big breach of etiquette. Other shooters may reload (make their own ammunition) and taking their brass is just plain rude without asking. Second, the range itself may have rules against taking spent brass. They may sell the brass for scrap or to a reloading company to help offset the cost of running the range. It’s just good etiquette to ask before taking brass.
4.) Clean Up Your Mess
Make sure you sweep up your spent brass and dispose of it according to the range rules. Throw away empty ammunition boxes and any other trash you may have made while using the range. Take down your used targets and dispose of them properly according to the range rules or take them with you if you use them to improve your shooting. A good rule of thumb is to clean up after yourself in such a way that the firing point is as you would want it when you arrive at it.
Following the NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling and the etiquette tips I outlined above will make for a safe and more enjoyable range experience. Good Luck and have a safe and fun range experience.
