Firearms Safety Course

Firearm Safety Tips for Home

So you go to your friend’s house and they start telling you how they bought a new gun. They go over to a table, open the drawer and pull out a pistol. Right away you ask “Hey! Is that thing loaded?” They reply “Nah… see…” then BANG! Luckily this time the only thing damaged is their flat screen television.

Since November of last year, firearm sales in the United States have increased an estimated 50% over the same timeframe between ‘07 and ‘08. Many of the people who account for the increased sales are first time firearm buyers. Unfortunately, many of the first time buyers are not properly educated on basic firearm principles before they bring a gun into their home. This is a formula for tragedy which can only be multiplied when children are added.

After your friends recent close call they humbly asks you for some basic firearm safety rules. You recall that your safety instructor told you to never, ever, ever forget a few golden rules of firearm safety, which you are happy to share with a shaken friend:

• ALWAYS keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. Common sense must dictate the safest direction, depending on the circumstances. Following this rule will insure that if you were to accidentally discharge the firearm it would not cause injury.
• ALWAYS treat a firearm as if it were loaded. Even if you “know” the firearm is unloaded, always treat the firearm as if could fire at any given time. Most accidents occur by people “knowing” the gun was unloaded.
• ALWAYS keep the firearm unloaded until ready to use. Never store a firearm with the bullets in it. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s) to insure the firearm is empty, do not touch it and get help from a trained or experienced person who does.
• ALWAYS safely store firearms so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons or children. Your dresser drawer or nightstand is not a good place to keep your firearm. Hundreds of children die each year because they find their parents “hidden” firearm. If that were not bad enough, there is an estimated 600,000 firearms stolen each year in the U.S. as a result of burglary. These stolen guns often end up in the hands of criminals. There are dozens of firearm storage devices available to you, but the proper one for you will depend on many factors. Consult your local gun shop for assistance in selecting the one right for you and your family.

You continue to explain a simple and effective method to keep your family safe is to educate yourself on how to safely handle a firearm, how they function and how to store them properly before ever buying one. Don’t be ashamed to ask your local gun dealer if they know of a firearm training instructor in your area. A local gun club or conservation club will often offer a training course for a minimal fee. Another good resource would be your local or state police department. Many departments offer free courses given to the public by highly trained officers. The National Rifle Association (NRA) education division offers safety classes several times a year in each state. You can find out further information on their website “www.nrahq.org/education”.

As you safely unload the pistol for your friend you explain to them that these were only a few simple rules and tips to follow when a firearm is involved, but they better take a full course before they handle the pistol again. Luckily, this day you are going home.

About the Author

John Schmitt is the owner of ArmoryDirect.com and avid firearm enthusiast.

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