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1. Always point the muzzle
in a safe direction.
Control the direction of the muzzle at all times. Do not point a
firearm or bow at anything you do not intend to shoot. Never rest
a muzzle on your toe or foot. Keep your finger out of the trigger
guard until the instant you are ready to fire. Always keep the
safety on until ready to fire; however, the safety should never be
a substitute for safe firearm handling.
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2. Treat every firearm or
bow with the same respect you would show a loaded gun or nocked
arrow.
Every time you pick up a firearm, the first thing you do is point
the muzzle in a safe direction and check to see if it is loaded.
Be sure the chamber and magazine are empty and that the action is
open until ready to be fired. If you do not understand how to
determine if it is loaded, do not accept the firearm until someone
has safely shown you that it is unloaded. Read your instruction
manual carefully before you handle new firearms or bows.
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3. Be sure of your target
and what is in front of and beyond your target.
Before you pull the trigger you must properly identify game
animals. Until your target is fully visible and in good light, do
not even raise your scope to see it. Use binoculars! Know what is
in front of and behind your target. Determine that you have a safe
backstop or background. Since you do not know what is on the other
side, never take a shot at any animals on top of ridges or
hillsides. Know how far bullets, arrows and pellets can travel.
Never shoot at flat, hard surfaces, such as water, rocks or steel
because of ricochets.
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4. Unload firearms and
unstring conventional bows when not in use.
Leave actions open, and store sporting arms in cases when
traveling to and from shooting areas. Take bolts out or break down
shotguns if necessary. Know how your equipment operates. Store and
transport firearms and ammunition separately and under lock and
key. Store firearms and bows in cool, dry places. Use gun or
trigger locks and guards when not in use.
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5. Handle the firearms,
arrows and ammunition carefully.
Avoid horseplay with firearms. Never climb a fence, a tree or a
ladder with a loaded firearm or bow and arrows. Never jump a ditch
or cross difficult terrain with a loaded firearm or nocked arrow.
Never face or look down the barrel from the muzzle end. Be sure
the only ammunition you carry correctly matches the gauge or
caliber you are shooting. Always carry arrows in a protected cover
or quiver. Learn the proper carries. Try to use the two-hand carry
whenever possible because it affords you the best muzzle control.
Always carry handguns with hammers over an empty chamber or
cylinder. If you fall, be sure to disassemble the gun and check
the barrel from the breech end for obstructions. Carry a field
cleaning kit.
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6. Know your safe
zone-of-fire and stick to it.
Your safe zone-of-fire is that area or direction in which you can
safely fire a shot. It is "down range" at a shooting
facility. In the field it is that mental image you draw in your
mind with every step you take. Be sure you know where your
companions are at all times. Never swing your gun or bow out of
your safe zone-of-fire. Know the safe carries when there are
persons to your sides, in front of, or behind you. If in doubt,
never take a shot. When hunting, wear daylight fluorescent
orange so you can be seen from a distance or in heavy
cover.
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7. Control your emotions
when it comes to safety.
If you lose control of your emotions you may do something
carelessly. If you have just shot a target or animal you probably
will be excited. At that moment you may turn with a loaded firearm
back towards your friends or you might run with a loaded firearm
towards a downed animal with the gun safety off. You or someone
else may be in danger once you lose control of your emotions. Show
discipline. Rehearse in your mind what the safe actions will be.
Do not allow your daydreams to cloud good judgment. Show restraint
and pass up shots which have the slightest chance of being unsafe.
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8. Wear hearing and eye
protection.
While shooting at the range, you must wear hearing and eye
protection at all times. Firearms are loud and can create noises
which are damaging to a person's hearing. It can be a gradual loss
of hearing due to outbursts of noise over many years. The damage
could also be immediate, especially if your ears are next to a
muzzle blast. Vibrations from the blast are enough to create loss
of hearing. Wear glasses to protect your eyes from escaping gases,
burnt powder (especially in black-powder shooting), and other
debris.
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9. Don't drink alcohol or
take drugs before or while handling firearms or bow and arrows.
Alcohol and drugs impair normal physical and mental body functions
and mustn't be used before or while handling firearms or archery
equipment. These substances affect emotions, making it easier to
lose control.
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10.
Be aware of additional
circumstances which require added caution or safety awareness.
Just because something isn't listed under these "ten
commandments of shooting safety" doesn't mean you can ignore
it if it is dangerous. There may be rules such as in muzzle-loading
or archery or posted at a shooting range which should also be
followed. Also, practice reloading safety by following and reading
all specific instructions. Practice all commandments of shooting
safety. Ensure a safe future for you, others and the shooting
sports!
