Firearm Safety is a Must

What All Firearm Owners Need

Safety is not a wish, it is a necessity with a firearm

When I was a child (about 6 years old) my father took me out and taught me to hunt, but before I ever got to touch a firearm I went though a rigorous safety briefing/practice session.  Even today, I remember what my father taught me.  Most people I talk to about firearm safety  remember their fathers teaching them something similar to what my father taught me.  It always seems to start with "Treat every firearm as though it is loaded, and always point the muzzle in a safe direction." If everyone did these two things we would never hear about or see an accidental wounding or killing.

I am an old man now and have never discharge a firearm in an unsafe direction.  I did fire a round off when I didn't mean to, but thank the Lord I was still pointing my pistol down range after a hang fire.  I was just about to move to the side of the Glock 19 (9mm) to open the slide and check the chamber when it surprised the snot out of me and fired.  My father told me about hang fires too, but I was getting impatient and almost made a bad mistake.  At least I kept the two main safety rules in mind and no one got hurt.

This is why the firearm safety rules are so important and we all should demand that everyone handling firearms use these rules.  Anyone can make a mistake, but if you follow the rules no one will get hurt.  I've told you two rules, but let me run them all down to you.

Basic firearm safety rules

1. Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded (even if you know the firearm is clear)
2. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction (even if you know the firearm is clear)
3. Always clear the firearm if it is not in use (Remember to keep the firearm muzzle pointed in a safe direction, even when cleared)  Note:  Clearing a firearm means you remove the magazine, if so equipped, and ammunition, then leave the bolt or cylinder open so any person can easily see it is not loaded. 
4. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot a firearm (even if cleared)
5. When carrying a firearm loaded or unloaded always keep the safety on until the firearm is to be used, when possible.  (some firearms safety will not engage unless loaded)
6. When firing a firearm, ensure a clear field of fire between you and your target
7. When firing a firearm, ensure you have a good backstop and/or know the area behind your target is clear of persons, animals or property that should not be injured or damaged.
8. If not in use, always keep firearms clear and secured, by a trusted person or under lock and key.  There is no excuse for an unauthorized or unstable person to get control of your firearms.
9. Use a firearm only in self defense.  Firearms are not tools of aggression, but defensive tools
10. When used in a defensive manner, always adhere to all the rules above

These are the basic rules I was taught by my father and they have saved some lives.  Remember the hang fire problem I talked about before.  I was teaching my daughter how to physically shoot that day and my memory of the basic firearm safety rules my father drilled into me kept me from hurting her by just keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction.  She even reinforced the safety rule of keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction when it was over, by saying, "Now I understand why you point the gun downrange all the time dad."  (The safe direction at the range is downrange.)

Well, all the training I spent on that little girl was important even though she never touches firearms anymore as an adult.  When she was a child she knew never to touch any of my firearms, even though they were unloaded when stored in the house.  If she every came across a firearm, anywhere else, she knew to ensure all the kids left it alone and then she let adults know she and the other children had come upon one.  This never happened, to the best of my knowledge, but I taught her to do exactly that.

My daughter does not own any firearms today, at 32 years old, but she knows more about firearm safety than most people in this world.  I believe she could teach a firearm safety course.  I really drilled firearm safety into her from 4 years old until she left the house as an adult.  She fired my .357 magnum at milk jugs full of water at 5 years old just so she knew what kind of damage firearms can do, and just to feel how much power they have in her hand when she fired the firearm.  I feel this kind of training is essential if you have a child in the house where you have firearms.  This way they understand firearms are dangerous tools and not toys.  You can tell a child something all you want, but when they experience the actual power they know you are correct.

I have friends that know how much time I spent teaching my daughter firearm safety and how to shoot.  They thought I was crazy spending that kind of time teaching a girl that kind of thing, but the way I saw it, I wanted her to be safe in my house, and besides some of the best shooters in the world are ladies.  Now that she is an adult and chooses not to own firearms is her own choice and I would never try to influence her differently.  It is a personal choice under the Second Amendment and every citizen has the right to choose to own firearms or not own them.  I respect people that feel either way, but those that exercise their right to own and use firearms must know they have an inherent  responsibility that goes along with it which is to always, always, always use firearms safely.

Note:  This is just a recommendation, but when using a firearm for home defense, I recommend using Glazier Safety ammunition.  These will not penetrate drywall, but will blow anything moist, like a human body, apart.  This stops the intruder with one shot and does not endanger loved ones living in the house.

Take care, be safe and God bless you all!!!