Safety

Four Basic Rules

The four rules provide a great starting place and a constant companion to keep you safe when handling firearms. Memorize these and recite them every time you are handling firearms.

Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety

  1. All guns are always loaded
  2. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times
  3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it or in front of it.
  5. Check your barrel and ammunition.
  6. Keep your firearm in proper functioning order at all times.
  7. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
  8. Don't run, jump, or climb with a loaded firearm.
  9. Store firearms inaccessible to minors and irresponsible adults.
  10. Don't drink alcoholic beverages before or while handling firearms.

Firearm Safety for Kids

When talking to your kids (especially young children) about firearm safety, we recommend starting with resources provided by the National Rifle Association through the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe® Program. One critical element to the program is how children who come across a firearm unexpectedly, should react:

STOP!

Don't touch

Run away

Tell a grownup.

This mantra, which can be memorized by pre-K children, will help children to remember the right action to take and help to prevent avoidable tragedies.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.