National Rifle Association Firearm Safety Rules

The shooting sports require ethics and a sense of personal responsibility. In many team sports you have umpires, judges, referees, and such to keep everyone playing by the rules. For participants, it becomes a game of pushing the edges, seeing how close you can come to a violation without getting caught.

In the shooting sports, including target shooting, hunting, and informal shooting, we are responsible for following the safety rules, and our object becomes to be as safe as possible.

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.: This is the primary rule of gun safety. A "safe direction" means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.: When holding a gun, people have a natural tendency to place their finger on the trigger. Don't do it! Rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.: Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately open the action and look into the rear of the gun's barrel. This area is known as the chamber and should be clear of ammunition. (If the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and make sure it is empty.) If you do not know how to open the action, leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

4. Be sure the gun is safe to operate.: Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.

5. Know how to use the gun safely.: Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.

6. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.: Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.

7. Know your target and what is beyond.: Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.

8. Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.: Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, safety glasses and ear protectors are recommended.

9. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.: Alcohol, as well as any other legal or illegal substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

10. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.: Several factors should be considered when you decide on where and how you intend to store your guns. Your particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Safe and secure storage requires that untrained individuals (especially children) be denied access to your guns.

Finally, be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.

These shooting safety rules cannot be stressed too strongly. You are responsible for knowing and following these rules every time you handle or shoot a gun. The rules must be applied to every type of gun in every situation. Safety with guns is a matter of knowing the safety rules and of having the self-discipline to observe and apply them always.