Chapter Two FIREARM SAFETY RULES To help remember these four rules, think Lesson 1: Basic Firearm receiving firearms of ACTT. Look at safety training is as A ssume the surroundings important as other and ask where the lessons learned C ontrol the muzzle muzzle should be during childhood. pointed to make The following T sure it is a safe four rules must The lessons you learned as a be understood gun goes off, it will T arget as a complete set destroy what the matches and handle knives and of rules—there muzzle is pointed broken glass with care - are so is an order of at. Never point a ingrained by the time you reach six importance, but every one of them firearm at yourself or others. or seven years old that following must be followed—always. them is instinctive. When seeing a firearm, you learn basic firearm safety rules might want to reach for it, pick it A common childhood interest is when they are growing up. As up and point it at something. playing “cops and robbers.” As a a result, there are many young result, nearly everyone who played and patient. these games developed the “trigger how to safely handle guns. Yet, Ask how to handle the gun finger” habit for shooting squirt to make sure it guns and cap guns—putting the will not fire when index finger on the trigger to shoot picked up— the toy guns as fast as possible. because a firearm That is a bad habit. You should is always thought unlearn that habit now. of as loaded. The trigger guard on a firearm Control the has an important purpose: to muzzle—point help prevent unintended firing the gun in a of the gun. safe direction. guard until ready to shoot. Take your Hunter Ed online & earn $100 in Rewards. Go to: www. Outdoorroadmap.com/HunterEd When handling a firearm, keep the trigger finger out of the trigger guard. When holding a firearm, rest the index finger on Wear the edge of the trigger guard or hunter on the frame immediately above a more experienced gun owner to or blaze the trigger guard. show how to operate the gun safely. orange Take time to become familiar with a clothing Never point a firearm at something you do not intend to shoot. Know identifying features of can positively identify the target device is to help prevent an and know what lies in front of and beyond it. Never shoot at movement, mechanical devices that are subject sounds or colors associated with a game animal you may be hunting. Don’t trust Also, do not use the scope on your safety devices firearm as a substitute for binoculars when identifying a person, animals or objects. incorrect ammunition can damage that anyone who handles a the firearm and, worse, can cause firearm also follows these rules. serious injury or death for the Never hunt with someone who shooter and bystanders. does not respect these rules. The result could be serious injury or death to you, another hunter or a nonhunter. to wear and can fail to operate as Hunters who wear hunter or Once the trigger is pulled, the designed. Always keep the safety blaze orange clothing are easy to “ON” until ready to shoot, and identify in the fields and woods. Use safety devices for ear and eye protection know the following 10 rules for responsible and safe firearms handling. remember: it is not a 100 percent Wear blaze orange for personal guarantee against the gun firing. provinces have regulations for there are no obstructions in the in a safe direction. when wearing blaze or hunter orange is required. the problem continues, ask for Have only ammunition of the help from a more experienced gun proper size for the firearm. Always When a gun is fired, it makes a owner or a gunsmith. Take your Hunter Ed online & earn $100 in Rewards. Go to: www. Outdoorroadmap.com/HunterEd gunfire, for example, at practice firearms and ammunition in What to do when sessions or shooting competitions, separate locations for safety. The approached by a law can result in hearing loss for firearm owner should know the shooters and bystanders. Wear laws regarding safe storage and while hunting. hearing protection when shooting transportation of firearms. guns. Wear eye protection, too, because the gun is fired near hunting and shooting protection devices can protect you and enhance your shooting and hunting ability. Hunting involves pursuing different kinds of game animals, hunting in different places and Checking to see that Be alert whenever handling a may also include using various hunters are firearm. Do not consume alcohol kinds of special equipment such following before hunting as treestands or boats. These the laws is an important part of or shooting different aspects of hunting events. Adults may require more specialized should save safety procedures, and any celebration hunters must know and related to hunting, including involving alcohol follow them for personal firearm laws, in their state or for later, when safety. At the shooting range, province. Additionally, these the guns and there are safety rules for every officers have authority to enforce ammo have been kind of shooting activity for federal hunting and firearm laws. secured. And, rifle, shotgun and handgun do not consume practice or competition. Before concern of law enforcement in any mood altering engaging in any hunting or encounter, in addition to respecting drugs or prescription medications shooting event, find out what while hunting and shooting. additional safety rules may apply. Hunting is a safe sport. This valued tradition will remain safe if concerns a wide variety of every person who handles firearms situations, including observing knows and follows the safety rules. hunters to determine if they are Never climb a fence or tree complying with the laws and or jump a ditch with a loaded everyone follows the rules for regulations; issuing citations for firearm. Be able to control the safe hunting. One mistake with a violations; and arresting and muzzle even if you stumble. firearm is one too many. confiscating licenses, tags and Never pull a firearm toward you Be patient. Be alert. hunting equipment from offenders. by the muzzle. Never shoot a Hunt safe! Other duties include addressing bullet at a flat, hard surface or issues such as trespassing, stalking, water because it could ricochet bullying, theft and vandalism and strike you or others. Avoid all Lesson 3: What to Do When that may occur among hunters, horseplay with a firearm. At target nonhunters and landowners. practice, be sure the backstop is They work in coordination with other local, state and federal law not in use—take down or have enforcement agencies. actions open. Transport firearms Also, when a hunting-related to the shooting area in cases. while hunting. shooting incident occurs, they investigate the site to collect evidence and interview all participants to determine the likely Wildlife conservation causes. Their findings support beyond the reach of untrained law enforcement officers are the efforts of prosecutors in cases children and adults. Also, store responsible for enforcing all laws where evidence suggests there Take your Hunter Ed online & earn $100 in Rewards. Go to: www. Outdoorroadmap.com/HunterEd was illegal or criminal activity, when a wildlife law enforcement the hunter must use nontoxic officer approaches: shot and the firearm must have injury or death. a magazine capacity restricted to gun pointed in a safe direction. interests, and depending on the instructs. state or province, the law may Hunting specify the minimum caliber of The way hunters should handle procedure when checked by law the firearm, magazine capacity, their firearms when approached by enforcement will keep everyone or require the hunter to submit a law enforcement officer differs safe and allow law enforcement equipment for inspection. slightly from how they should officers to do their job, while handle it for safety purposes protecting your legal rights. follow applicable laws is an in other circumstances. The Hunting laws may specify the important part of conservation officer wants the encounter to be ammunition, caliber or gauge professional and courteous, brief and the type of firearm or other enforcing laws, conservation and safe for everyone involved. equipment that may be used to officers also work with and for What the hunter should do hunters to collect information. By working together with hunters and wildlife biologists, conservation officers can promote safe and responsible hunting. check, the conservation officer will ask you to turn over the firearm to him or her for safe handling and to determine if the firearm and ammunition comply with laws you should locate the appropriate hunting license and tags or stamps, depending on the type of hunting involved. observation of hunting equipment. cause of a violation of law, the firearm may be seized and kept by law enforcement until a court decides whether or not to return the firearm to the owner. Take your Hunter Ed online & earn $100 in Rewards. Go to: www. Outdoorroadmap.com/HunterEd .