FIREARM SAFETY
Safety is an issue that is the concern of all firearms owners. Unfortunately
there is a lot of hype about safety that totally ignores the real issues
in the name of political correctness--that is, blaming something other than
one's self when a screw-up occurs.
Terminology
Accident
An unexpected and undesirable event caused by circumstances beyond
the controlof the participant(s).
There are practically no firearms related "accidents"
since guns don't go off by themselves nor point themselves at
anything.
Misfire
The condition of a cartridge not firing when an attempt to fire
it is made. It can be caused by either a defective cartridge or a
defective firearm. The term has been frequently misused in the
media to indicate a firearms "accident" as in, "His gun misfired and
he shot himself."
Negligent Discharge
The unplanned discharge of a firearm caused by a
failure to observe the basic safety rules. Firearms related
injuries or property damage are due to negligent discharges, not
accidents. This is the proper term to use.
Safety
A state of mind or action intended to reduce the risk of personal
harm. It also refers to a mechanical device on a firearm intended
to lock the firing mechanism to impede discharge.
- All firearms are loaded.
There are no exceptions. Do not believe it when someone says:
"It isn't loaded."
- Never let the muzzle of a firearm point
at anything you are not willing to destroy.
If you are not willing to see a bullet hole in it do not
allow a firearm's muzzle to point at it.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are
on the target.
Bringing a firearm to bear on a target takes more time
than it takes to move your finger to the trigger.
- Be sure of your target and what is behind it.
Never shoot at sounds or a target you cannot positively identify.
Know what is in line with the target and what is behind it
(bullets are designed to go through things).
The fifth, unwritten, but implied rule is: Take
nothing for granted. Check everything by sight and touch.
Paraphrased From Father
Frog's Homepage, a very sensible person who's page you should stop by and
visit.