SAFETY AT HOME
Owning a gun is your right, but storing and handling it safely is your responsibility.
Federal and state laws define the rights of a U.S. citizen or resident to own and bear firearms. But if you own a gun, it is your absolute duty and responsibility to see that it is handled and stored in a safe manner, at all times. Every private citizen who owns or handles any type of firearm, whether it's a handgun, shotgun, or rifle, should participate in a recognized training program made available in most areas by the National Rifle Association. (Law enforcement and military agencies conduct their own on going training programs.) Once you have received training, practice what you have learned.
Some important safety guidelines
This web site is not intended for training purposes, and is not a substitute for proper training in gun handling and safety. However, there are some important general guidelines you can follow to help do your part in the proper safeguarding of guns in your home and your community.
Keeping a gun at home
Your spouse should have professional training on handling the gun, even he or she has no intention to use it. If you have children, you have probably already taught them respect for a gun, and discussed the consequences of disregarding your wishes. If not, do so immediately. You may have taught them (or had them professionally instructed) how to use the gun safely, and can trust them implicitly to use it only under your direct supervision. You need to consider other’s children, and anyone else that may be in your home while you are not there. You need to make sure that your gun is secure at all times.
Guidelines for secure storage
Secure means no one can get to your gun that should not.
1. Clear your gun by removing all the ammunition and then checking the chamber to be sure it's empty. For a revolver, look through each chamber in the cylinder. For a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, look into the chamber at the back end of the barrel or barrels, and also look to see that the magazine is removed. Take your time and pay attention to each step.
2. Lock up your gun in a theft-proof container out of sight, and out of reach of children. Store it in a manner that will keep it out of anyone's hands other than your own or someone you want to have access to it.
3. Lock up your ammunition in a different location so that anyone who should not have it can't get to it.
4. Some people use gun locks, and some states mandate their use. Gun locks are not as secure as a theft-proof container, so use both when necessary.
CAUTION: Gun locks can give a false sense of security. Some, especially those covering the trigger, do not always fit tightly enough to prevent movement. If they can be moved, the trigger can also move. If the gun is loaded and cocked when the trigger is moved, the gun may fire even with the gun lock in place. A gun lock alone will not prevent anyone from handling the gun, and it will not necessarily prevent him or her from removing the gun from your home. So keep your gun locked up where no one can get to it.
WARNING: When you leave a gun lying around you are inviting trouble. Kids will look under the bed, under pillows, on top shelves, in nightstands, in basements, in closets, behind clocks, even in the drawers. There is no safe place to “hide” a gun.
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED.
A child who finds a gun, at home—in the street, at school, at a friend's house—or has one handed to them, may be afraid of it or thrilled by it. Their reaction could save their lives. Prepare them by teaching them these three steps:
- Do NOT touch the gun. Explain that if they touch it, it may fire and hurt someone.
- Leave the scene. Explain that this will clear him or her of the risk of someone else touching the gun.
- Tell an adult. Explain that an adult can get help quickly to prevent an accident.
A number of states now have laws on the books aimed at people who do not secure their guns adequately. If someone accesses your gun and a person gets hurt or killed because you were careless about storing it, you could be held legally responsible. This can mean added grief to loving parents who have lost their child because of a moment of carelessness.
The National Association of School Resource Officers (N.A.S.R.O.) is taking an active role to curb gun violence in America's schools. Through an ongoing educational program on topics from gun safety to drugs to alcohol and abuse, N.A.S.R.O. is helping young people make positive choices in their lives.
GUNS REQUIRE PROPER RESPECT, HANDLING, AND SAFEGUARDS.
Do not assume that anyone you are talking with knows proper gun handling and safety. The best practice is to not let others handle your firearms. However, if they do, it is your responsibility to see that the firearm is properly cleared and the action is open before handing it to them. If there is any doubt, instruct them to point the firearm in a safe direction, lay it down and leave it alone until someone with gun-handling knowledge can render it safe to handle.
GUN SAFETY OUTDOORS
Proper safety and handling prevent gun accidents.
Whether you choose to own a gun or not, you could find yourself in a situation in which knowing the basic procedures for safe gun handling could become critical. This section is designed to make you aware of the responsibility involved, and provide some general guidelines for safe gun handling. It is not intended to be a substitute for proper training in gun handling and safety.
GUN SAFETY TRAINING
There are federal, state and local laws governing the purchase and use of guns. Unfortunately, laws alone can't keep you, your family, or your friends safe from firearms that are not handled safely.
Gun "accidents" are the result of untrained people handling guns, or trained people being lax in proper handling procedures. The best way to prevent accidents is for everyone, owners and non-owners alike, to know and practice safe handling procedures. Participate in a recognized gun safety training program. Programs are made available throughout the country through local law enforcement agencies, sportsmen clubs or the National Rifle Association. Then, when you handle a gun, apply what you know.
Remember, this section is not a substitute for proper training. It is intended to alert you to the need for training, and to provide hints to help keep you, your family, friends and community safer.
KNOW THE LAW
Law-abiding U.S. citizens and, in some states, legal resident aliens, are entitled to own a gun. Federal, state and local laws govern gun sales and define the method for using them.
Many states require licenses to purchase, while others require licenses to carry, a firearm. There are waiting periods and background checks required before you can own a gun.
Laws vary extensively from state to state, town to town, and even gun to gun. If you own or plan to own a gun, know and obey the laws that apply to ownership. Know the laws of neighboring states, too, in case you want to transport your gun into one of them. If you are going to move to another state, make knowledge of that state’s laws part of your planning.
Gun dealers and law enforcement agencies can generally help you comply. But knowing the laws yourself is your responsibility, and will help prevent you from breaking them. Remember that the intent of gun control laws is to combat crime; breaking those laws makes you a criminal.
TRANSPORT ONLY AN EMPTY GUN
Taking a gun outdoors? Before you do, make sure it is not loaded. Look from the rear through the barrel bore and chamber(s) to see if they are clear. If you are going to be shooting, be sure the guns are clean, dry and free of oil.
Transport your empty gun separate from the ammunition. Carrying a gun completely empty prevents it from being discharged accidentally. This gives you positive control of the gun by letting you make a conscious decision as to when to load it.
Law enforcement officers going on duty load their guns according to department guidelines.
There are also good general guidelines for private citizens. When going to a shooting range, keep your firearm empty until you get on the range and are ready to shoot. Load only according to the safety rules of the range. When leaving the range, unload your firearm before leaving your shooting position. Be absolutely sure it is empty by visually checking it.
HUNTING
When going hunting, wait until you are in place and starting the hunt before loading. Always carry the gun empty while climbing up in a tree stand, and carry your handgun in a holster. Load your gun after getting securely positioned in the stand.
NEVER POINT A GUN AT ANYONE
Always be aware of where you are pointing your gun. Wherever you are, keep the muzzle pointing in a safe direction, away from you and from other people.
On a shooting range, keep the muzzle pointing down range toward the target, or at the ground when not in a firing position. While hunting, keep the muzzle pointing at the ground until your target is in sight and in range. Then THINK... “Where will my bullet go if I miss? Could it travel a long distance? Could it go through a wall? Could other people be close behind the target?” DON'T BE SHORTSIGHTED ABOUT YOUR TARGET.
Know who or what is behind your target. If you have any doubts, don't shoot.
You are the one responsible for safety once you have possession of a gun. It's a big responsibility, so don't shirk it. Stay safe and keep others safe.
SHOW OTHERS YOUR GUN IS SAFE
When handling a gun around other people, make them feel safer and more comfortable by letting them see your gun is safe by carrying it open. An open shotgun chamber, the slide back on a pistol, the cylinder flipped out on a revolver or an open bolt on a rifle provides that reassurance, especially if the chambers are also empty.
If someone tries to hand you a gun, don't accept it without having him or her open it so you can see it is not loaded. Offer this same safe courtesy to others before handing them your gun. If you don't want to handle the gun, just refuse it and walk away, unless it's a child asking for your help.
INCREASE YOUR SAFETY MARGIN
To enjoy shooting, you and everyone around you must be safe and feel safe. And for others to respect the sport, they must see it as a safe activity that does not threaten or interfere with them. Once you load a firearm, it never leaves you and you never leave it. This is the only way to keep your loaded gun out of the wrong hands..
When loading a revolver, leave one chamber empty and position it in line with the barrel. Keeping an empty chamber in this position means the revolver can only be fired by intentionally pulling the trigger.
A semiautomatic pistol, rifle or shotgun should be treated similarly. You may have ammunition in the gun, but keep the chamber empty until you are ready to shoot. Then charge a round into it.
Once there is a round in the chamber, your ability to handle the firearm is critical to everyone's safety. Know your firearm. There are many different kinds, each with their own characteristics. To be safe, you must understand the one you are carrying. Before you load a gun, read the manual and ask for help if necessary.
IF YOU FIND A GUN
Please take note that anyone may face the situation of finding a gun... teachers, youth leaders, parents, hospital staffs... even you. Children could also be in the position of finding or encountering a gun. Therefore, you not only need to know how to handle such a situation yourself, but you also need to educate your children and those under your supervision.
Educate children. Prepare children by teaching them these three steps:
- Do NOT touch the gun. Explain that if they touch it, it may fire and hurt someone.
- Leave the scene. Tell them this will protect them from the risk of someone else touching and firing the gun.
- Tell an adult. Explain that an adult can get help quickly to prevent an accident.
Educate yourself. This is not only important for those who have limited or no knowledge of handling guns, but also for people who handle guns but may be unfamiliar with the specific model involved. If you find a gun, or a child or other person seeks your help after finding a gun, always—and we mean always—assume it is loaded and ready to fire.
If you are not comfortable handling the gun, send someone to find qualified help (preferably a law enforcement officer) while you remain to alert others. However, if the situation does not permit this, it may be necessary for you to initiate steps to minimize the risk.
GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER
- If a gun is found, minimize the risk and then contact the owner or the police.
- Educate children to recognize the risks and get help.
- If anyone is threatened with a gun, call the police.
- If a gun is fired in your direction, fall to the ground immediately and lie flat, as it could be fired again. Once you know where the gun is, seek safety. If it's safe to move, crawl on your stomach to take cover behind a substantial object. Get out of the area as soon as it is safe.
- If anyone needs help to get clear of danger, call the police.
- If you feel threatened by someone handling a gun dangerously, immediately leave the area and call the police.
- If you have control over the situation, ask the person to point the gun in a safe direction, unload it, open it and give it to you. If they cannot do that, have them point it in a safe direction, lay it down and step away from it.
-If you see someone injured by a gun-related incident, call the police as well as an ambulance. In most areas, a 911 emergency number system is in effect to handle emergency calls.
-No one wants to be injured by a gunshot. Do all you can to be safe. Do all you can to keep others safe, too. Most of all, protect our children with education and lead by good example.
PASS THE WORD TO OTHERS
You can be sure your gun is secure, but what about your neighbor's? Or your friend's? Or your relative’s? Don't take the chance. Pass this information on to anyone you know who owns or uses a gun.
A safety message from:
Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC and
The National Association of School Resource Officers
For information on N.A.S.R.O. contact:
Lt. Bill Balkwill,
c/o Sarasota County Sheriffs Office,
P.O. Box 4ll5
Sarasota, FL 34230-4115
(813) 951-5010