Firearm Safety – For Everyone in the House
To own a firearm, in California person must go through a Firearm Safety Course, successfully. The tricky part comes into play when the firearm owner understands firearm safety, but the rest of the household may not. One of the best ways to minimize firearm accidents is by making sure that everyone in the house receives some sort of firearm safety training. Firearm safety is essential for everyone in the house, not just the firearm owner.
How far your family decides to go with firearm safety is really a family decision. As a family, you could all decide to go through a safety firearm course together. Or as the firearm owner you must complete the course successfully and can then discuss safety measures with your family. The third option is a combination of the first two options.
What is most important is that you teach your family to respect the danger of firearms, be aware and concerned about the possible safety hazards and learn and practice the proper safe conduct with firearms.
There are six basic safety firearm rules and anyone living in a home with a firearm should understand and practice the three following safety rules:
Assume All Firearms Are Loaded
Everyone in the house should always assume that the firearm(s) is loaded, even if you truly believe it was unloaded earlier. A firearm has the potential to be a deadly weapon and so for everyone’s safety assuming that the firearm is loaded requires a person to handle it with the utmost care. This practice should always be followed until the firearm has been checked to be certain that it is unloaded.
Point in the Safest Possible Direction
By following the first firearm rule listed above a person handling a firearm, who is always assuming that the firearm is loaded should be pointing the firearm in the safest possible direction. Safest possible direction means, if the person accidentally discharged the firearm and it was loaded it would not cause any damage or injuries. And never, ever direct of firearm towards another person or yourself.
Store Ammunition and Firearm Separately
The best way to ensure that an accidental discharge of a firearm does not happen in your home is by making sure your firearm is unloaded, stored properly and stored separately from your ammunition. Storing your firearm safely includes a firearm safety lock and a locked storage container. Your ammunition should also be stored in a locked container as well.
The other three basic firearm safety rules are equally important for anyone who intend on using the firearm.
- Do not place your finger onto the trigger until you are prepared to shoot.
- Understand how to properly maintain and operate your firearm.
- Know what your intended target is, the surrounding area and what is beyond the target.
Choosing to have firearms in your home comes with an incredible responsibility. Not only do you need to understand and practice all of the firearm safety rules, but your family needs to understand some of them as well. Understanding the potential dangers of firearms is essential to keeping everyone in your home safe.