BASIC FIREARMS SAFETY
TIPS
The information provided by Glock,
Inc.
Handle all firearms as if they were loaded. Never
forget that a gun has the potential to produce serious
injury or death in a single instant of carelessness.
Make safe gun handling a habit to be followed at a
times. After you determine that a gun is unloaded,
continue to handle it as though it were loaded.
Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.
In selecting a safe direction, you must also take into
consideration that a bullet can ricochet or glance off
of any object it strikes, and that bullets can penetrate
walls, ceilings, floors, and windows.
Remember: You should never point a gun (whether
loaded or unloaded) at another person or at
yourself.
Keep your finger out of the gun's trigger guard and
off the trigger until you have aligned the gun's sights
on a safe target and you have made the decision to fire.
By keeping your finger completely outside the trigger
guard until you have aimed at the target, you guarantee
that any shots you fire will go
safe in the direction of your
intended target.
Always be certain that your target and the
surrounding area are safe before firing.
Remember that a bullet can travel as much as several
miles so you should be certain of what your bullet could
strike before you pull the trigger.
Never fire at a movement, a noise, a flash of color,
or a rustling bush without
positive � identifying your intended
target.
Never climb a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.
Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or
water.
Whenever you handle a firearm, the first thing you
should do (while keeping it pointed in a safe direction
with your finger outside the trigger guard) is to remove
the magazine and to open the action to determine whether
or not the firearm is loaded. If you don't know the
proper way to open the action of a particular firearm,
don't handle it.
Instead, consult the owner's manual, your local gun
dealer, or a more knowledgeable shooter.
Do not experiment. Thoroughly read the instruction
manual supplied with your firearm. Never use any firearm
unless you completely understand its operation and
safety features. If you do not have an instruction
manual, contact either the retail store where you
purchased your gun or the manufacturer directly and
request that one be furnished to you.
Before firing your weapon, you should routinely make
sure that your firearm is in good working order and that
the barrel is clear of dirt and obstructions. Any
obstruction that prevents the bullet from moving easily
down the barrel can cause pressure to build up in the
weapon. A small bit of mud, gun grease excess
lubricating oil, or rust can cause pressure to build to
the point where the barrel bulges or bursts upon firing,
resulting in a damaged gun and serious bodily in injury
to the shooter or those around him.
Only use ammunition recommended by the firearm
manufacturer, and always be certain that the ammunition
matches the caliber of your gun. Most modern firearms
have their caliber designation stamped into the barrel
(for example, ".38 Special" or ".22 Long Rifle"). Your
box of ammunition should bear the exact same
designation. Just because a cartridge fits into your gun
doesn't mean it is safe to fire.
Firearms are designed, manufactured, and tested to
standards based on factory loaded ammunition.
Hand-loaded or reloaded ammunition deviating from
factory specifications should not be used. Use only the
correct ammunition for your firearm. Attempting to fire
even a single improper bullet can destroy your gun and
cause serious personal injury or death.
Quality ear and eye protection should always be worn
when shooting or observing. Exposure to the noise of
gunfire can permanently damage your hearing if
protection is not worn. Shooting glasses, preferably
with side panels, help to guard against eye injuries
from ejected cases and the splashback of pebbles and
fragments from the backstop.
Wearing eye protection when disassembling and
cleaning your gun will also prevent eye injuries from
loosened springs or other parts, as well as from
aerosol or vents and cleaning agents.
Never use firearms while under the influence of drugs
and alcohol. Handling and using a firearm requires your
full and continuous attention, alertness, and unimpaired
judgment. Avoid handling firearms while taking
prescription medicines which can make you drowsy, slow
your reflexes, and impair your normal senses or
judgement.
All firearms should be stored unloaded and secured in
a safe storage case, inaccessible to children and
untrained adults.
The transportation of firearms is regulated by
Federal, State and local laws.
Always transport your firearm in a safe, unloaded
condition and in accordance with applicable laws.
Remember, no set of rules can cover all possible
situations. The safe and rational use of a firearm
depends on the common sense and proper training of the
user.
Always follow safety rules and think before using any
firearm.