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Safety
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I'm gathering information about firearm safety courses, groups and
shooting clubs around NZ, as well as listing normal firearms safety issues.
Advertise your shooting group, club or activities here for free.
. 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, 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 engage the safety device if possible, and, 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.
When using or storing a gun, always
follow these rules:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 a 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.
- 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.
- 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, shooting glasses
and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.
- Never use alcohol
or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while
shooting.
Alcohol, as
well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical
bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting
guns.
- Store guns so they
are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors
must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's
particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens
of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly
to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the
mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as
a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety
rules.
- Be aware that
certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional
safety precautions.
- Cleaning
Regular
cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and
safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend
its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.
A gun brought out of
prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated
moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun
from operating properly.
Before cleaning your
gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action
should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no
ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
