Safety First!

(No exceptions.)

Guns are in fact dangerous. That isn't really a mystery, but all too often tragedies occur when they really should have been prevented. So today I am going to list all of the general aspects of gun safety.

Storing Your Weapons

• When storing your guns make sure the weapon is unloaded. Meaning there is not a round in the chamber. In my experience people accidentally put their finger on the trigger most often when picking a gun up.
• Always lock your guns up! I would recommend a safe or something that requires a combination to get into it. Keys can be taken. Also, if children are present keeping weapons locked away is an absolute must.
• Not to be redundant, but if you ever retrieve your weapon make sure it is unloaded! When taking it out as well as putting it away, get into the habit of working the action multiple times, and visually look into the chamber (Do NOT look down the barrel). If you still are not sure at this point for any reason, stick your finger in the chamber and make sure there is not a bullet in there. Then point the gun in a safe direction and pull the trigger, just to cover all of your bases.

Going out to shoot?

• To start things off, before you pack all of your things for the shooting range, make sure your weapon is again, unloaded. 
• If you are driving, and if you do not have a concealed carry permit, it would be wise to have the guns somewhere in the car where you cannot easily reach them (the trunk for instance). Also make sure they are all in cases. If you ever get pulled over, police officers will be on edge if your weapons are just laying out.
• So you're at the range and everything is set up. Golden rule: Keep that gun pointed down range at all times. Obviously if you or anyone else is going down range unload the gun and make sure it's safe. You still need to keep it pointed down range. The reason being that if it is side ways or facing back and for whatever reason goes off, Or if someone pulls the trigger while picking it up, there is a lot less of a chance that someone standing at the firing line will accidentally get shot.
• Do not put your finger on that trigger until you are ready to shoot. Pretty self explanatory 
• Be aware of other people at the range. It is crucial to make sure no one is standing farther ahead or behind you while shooting. Everyone shooting needs to stand in a line, with onlookers standing behind them. If you want to go downrange to change/check your targets, make sure any other shooters are aware, and that you get confirmation that it is okay to go downrange.
• And if you are hunting, please make sure you actually see what you are shooting at before you fire. Every year people are injured or killed by firing at what turns out to be another person in the forest.

Guns are a lot of fun! So have fun and be responsible!!!