Guns don't kill people

Stolen from the NRA's website:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
If for some reason you do manage to accidentally fire your gun, ensuring it is never pointed at anyone is a good way to make sure your friends live to see tomorrow. Don't get cocky. Just because you're sure it's unloaded doesn't mean you're sure it's unloaded.


2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
I can not stress this enough. Guns do not go off by themselves. If you shoot yourself or anyone else it is because you shot yourself or someone else. One way to prevent the gun "going off" is to keep your finger off the trigger. If there's nothing in the trigger guard to pull the trigger, the trigger won't get pulled and you'll get to keep all your expensive bullets.


3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
To add to that: ALWAYS double, triple and quadruple check to be entirely certain the gun is unloaded. Taking what might seem like redundant or unnecessary steps to clear a weapon may mean the difference between someone living and dieing. The NRA sums this up very well:

"If the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does."


4. Know what is beyond your target.
And that means WELL beyond your target. Drywall won't stop a little .22 until it's thoroughly penetrated many sheets of it. Bullets do not like to slow down. They leave the barrel with impressive amounts of energy and you don't want that energy transfered to the chest of the 8 year old playing with her toys 3 rooms over.


In summary: Keep your finger off the trigger. Don't point it at anything you aren't fully prepared to kill or destroy. Double and triple check to clear the gun and even after you have cleared it, treat it like a loaded weapon. Know what is beyond your target.

I love my guns and I love the shooting sports. I love having the right to defend myself with such impressive tools. Every day another politician tries to pass some sort of legislation to try and take those guns from me. Responsible gun owners don't show up in the news and don't give those politicians extra ammunition for their arguments.

Stay safe.