NRA BASIC FIREARM SAFETY RULES
1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction at all times. - Safe direction will vary depending on your location. At a firing range, it is always downrange and somewhat low (i.e., keep it pointed low). In a 2-story apartment, down may not be a safe direction. When standing on concrete pavement, down is not a safe direction. This applies to handing prior to firing as well as handling when transitioning a storage case or elsewhere. Means NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY OR KILL.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger (and outside of the trigger guard) until you are ready to fire. If you are handling the gun, finger off the trigger. If you are holstering or unhosltering, finger off the trigger. If you have just launched a round at a target and want to see the impact point, finger off the trigger. A gun will not fire if your finger is not on the trigger (except if it is malfunctioning, in which case it is not safe to use or to load anyway!).
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use it. Common sense. Does not apply to a firearm carried for personal protection: like a fire extinguisher, you do not wait until your house is on fire to load your extinguisher...same thing with a self-defense handgun. Exception is if your jurisdiction does not allow transport of a loaded firearm (together with a CCW/CHL permit).
OTHER RULES:
* KNOW YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND. Even if the range is "hot" and you are told you are clear to fire, look beyond your target for anything that may be hurt, injured, killed, or damaged if you miss your target. In a real-life scenario, this means innocent bystanders that can be killed by your bullets.
* KNOW HOW TO SAFELY OPERATE THE GUN. That means you yourself knowing all the controls and uses of all features of your handgun. Common sense.
* BE SURE THE GUN IS SAFE TO OPERATE. Some issues, such as plugged barrels and dirty/corroded actions, can cause a gun to explode, possibly causing serious injury to yourself and to others. That is why it is also important to carefully inspect your gun when cleaning: to look for potential hazards and damage.
* USE ONLY THE CORRECT AMMUNITION AS APPROPRITATE FOR YOUR GUN. Check your manual if the gun is safe for high-pressure (+P and +P+ ammunition). 10mm is not the same as .40S&W, .45GAP is not the same as .45ACP is not the same as .45COLT/LONG COLT, .357Magnums cannot be fired out of .38Special revolvers, 9mm Luger (aka 9mm Parabellum, 9x19mm) is not the same as .380ACP (aka 9x17mm) is not the same as 9mm-Mak (aka 9x18 or 9mm Makarov), and so on. At best, using wrong ammunition will result in an embarrasing misfire or no discharge, at worst, it can blow up your gun and cause serious injury to yourself and others.
* WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION. Elementary. Whatever happens, you can always buy another gun. You cannot buy another set of ears or eyes. This will be some protection to you in case your firearm or ammunition malfunctions, and also as protection in case the gun of the guy next to you malfunctions.
* NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS THAT MAY ALTER YOUR STATE OF MIND WHILE SHOOTING. This is called being "under the influence". In some states, it is illegal to operate a firearm with even the tiniest amount of alcohol in your blood. It is never a good idea to mix guns and booze or drugs of any kind. ATF rules say the Federal Government does not consider marijuana as a medicinal preparation, but as a controlled drug, even with a so-called medicinal marijuana card.
* STORE GUNS SO THAT THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS. At home, do not leave guns lying around in plain view, especially with children or teenagers or incompetent or unreliable (or unknown) adults. If they must be out in the open, consider using a cable lock or trigger lock to render them inoperative. Remember: guns are a high-value item, and some random guest in your house may covet your firearm more than he would honor your friendship.
* MAINTAIN YOUR GUN IN THE MANNER RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER . At the very least, clean and lubricate them as appropriate, depending on the manufacturer's manual. If you do not have the manual, contact the manufacturer to obtain one or search for one online.
* BE AWARE THAT SOME ACTIVITIES REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. For instance, competitive shooting activities often have a 180-Degree shoot zone...describe an arc extending from left shoulder to right shoulder: never point the gun outside of the 180* Zone, and be aware if you happen to step into a shooters' 180* Zone.
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Other recommendations:
1. In the Forum (Welcome, by the way!), know and follow the Rules as posted in the Forum main page.
2. Recommend you post a *Hi there* message in the "Introductions" section so everyone has a chance to say Hi back at you!
3. Don't take it personally if posts in reply to you or quoting you, if these posts seem personal make you feel defensive, everyone here at the Forum is a mellow dude (and dudette!), so if you feel offended, just post a reply saying so, and there are no ruffled feathers. Over here, you are among friends.
Cheers, stay safe, and shoot safe!