I am a Life member of the NRA. The National Rifle Association is our best bet to fight against those who would like to eliminate the right to bear arms. Do I believe the NRA is always right? No! Like any other organization, I don’t always agree with what they get behind. There are other gun groups out there doing fine work too, but the NRA is my choice to fight for our rights. I am an NRA instructor in pistol, rifle, personal protection, and as a range safety officer. I only mention these things because I want to talk about gun safety rules. The NRA’s rules are different than what I feel should be taught. The NRA’s rules are:
1: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3: ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
These are the 10 rules that add to the top 3.
1. Always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
3. Keep your gun unloaded until ready to use
4. Know your target and what’s behind it
5. Know how to use your gun safely
6. Be sure your gun is safe to operate
7. Only use the correct ammunition for your gun
8. Wear ear and eye protection, where appropriate
9. Never shoot under the influence of alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, or prescription medication
10. Store guns safely
Now, I have no problems with these rules. But if you are teaching and you want your students to remember the safety rules, 10 is not the ideal number. All these are good rules.
I don’t have any problem teaching these additional concepts, but I just don’t feel you can realistically teach 10 rules (which is why they have shortened it to the top 3) and expect someone to retain and remember them. My suggestion for rules are 4:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
I’ve seen some lists that say “Treat every gun as if it is loaded.” I don’t like the words “treat” and “as if”. I think that leaves too much open. I prefer, “all” and “always”. Often I will change number 2 to “Never let the gun point at anything you are not willing to destroy”. For those just starting out may not know what the muzzle is or what cover means. Either way is fine. I have sometimes added “…and out of the trigger guard…” to number 3 but that can become too wordy.
The key is to teach safety what students can remember. Whichever rules you like make sure you follow all of them. Just following the first and ignoring the second will make you unsafe. Being safe depends on all the rules being followed. I also believe that you can have a loaded gun before you actually have to use it. In self-defense, if you don’t have a round in the chamber you are behind the curve. That is only my opinion because I know others will train with racking a round in their training routine. I don’t agree with that, but I also have no problem with someone who believes that is safer and better. I can live with someone who wants to train that way without criticism. If it works for you I am good with it, but I would never teach it. Other than a self-defense situation, I would agree that a gun should be kept and stored unloaded. But if you go into my safe that I keep my carry guns in you will find them all loaded. Knowing these rules, following them at all times—and insisting that others do the same—will help keep you and your family safe. But gun safety goes well beyond the "Big Four."
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 gasses that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protection should be worn by shooters and spectators.
Never use alcohol, over-the-counter drugs or prescription 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.
From the NRA Family website
https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2019/11/5/6-ways-to-safely-store-your-firearms/
6 Ways To Safely Store Your Firearms by B. Gil Horman
“1. Trigger Locks are a simple and affordable option for preventing a gun from being loaded or fired by an unauthorized user. Whether they are provided by the manufacturer or the dealer, most new guns are now sold with a trigger lock right in the box. These locks take different forms. A trigger shoe clamps down around the trigger or trigger housing to prevent the trigger from being manipulated. Because these devices come into direct contact with the trigger, they should never be installed on loaded guns.
Cable locks block the action of a firearm, preventing the action of rifles and shotguns from being closed. When used with a semi-automatic pistol, they will also prevent a magazine from being loaded into the grip. For revolvers, the cable is looped through the barrel to prevent the cylinder from closing.
If a dedicated gun lock is not available, an ordinary padlock can be used with many guns. Simply slip the hasp of the lock between the back side of the trigger and the trigger guard to prevent the trigger from cycling. Trigger locks are inexpensive (less than $20), or even free through some community programs, and can successfully prevent an unintentional discharge when installed properly. However, they do not offer any physical protection for the firearm or a measurable level of theft deterrence.
2. Gun Cases are readily available at local sporting goods stores in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and material options to fit every kind of commercially available firearm. Case options range from padded fabric sleeves to rugged foam-lined plastic containers, with prices from $10 to $150. The primary role of this kind of affordable carry case is to protect one or more firearms from physical damage.
Most soft and hard-side cases can be “legally” locked for firearm transportation to and from shooting events. A padlock through a soft case’s zipper pull or a hard case’s carry handle can do the trick (check your local regulations). Affordable, portable, and easy to store, locked gun cases represent a common and convenient safe gun storage method, and a big step up from tossing a bare gun into a drawer or closet. A locked carry case will certainly keep small children from handling a firearm, just as a trigger lock will.
However, their usefulness as safe storage devices is limited by the materials from which they are made. The soft fabrics and plastics used in these cases can be quickly defeated by ordinary edged tools. Because gun cases are designed to be light to carry and handle, they can be carted around just as easily by a thief as their lawful owner. Unless they are secured within some other lockable structure, gun cases may be stolen, along with their contents, to be opened and pilfered at another location.
3. Strong Boxes and Security Cases represent an effort by manufacturers to provide gun owners with the anti-theft and gun-finish protection features of a locking gun cabinet while maintaining the portability of handgun and long-gun carry cases. Pricing for these units varies greatly, anywhere from less than $50 to more than $300, based on the level of technology incorporated into the system. Some of the best storage options for those who want quick-access to defensive firearms are found in this category.
When it comes to strong boxes, it’s hard to beat the variety of configurations and lock options provided by GunVault. The MV500-STD Micro Vault is a portable model that’s slim and light enough to carry in a briefcase or to be tucked into a small drawer. The No-Eyes electronic keypad allows the user to enter a customized code by touch so that the box can be opened quickly in total darkness if necessary. The Speedvault SVB 500 mounts to vertical surfaces, such as the interior of a desk or closet. The programmable biometric fingerprint reader allows access to a single pistol or revolver in less than two seconds. Multiple-gun or increased-capacity units, such as the DrawerVault and Multi-Vault, are also available.
Secure Firearms Products provides some of the most rugged security cases available for travel. These metallic cases feature welded corners, heavy-duty plated steel latches, case hardened locking studs, and a high security Medeco Lock. Mounting hardware and cables allow the cases to attach directly to the trunk of a car, the wall of a closet, or the interior of a suitcase when flying with commercial airlines.
4. Locking Steel Gun Cabinets provide an increased level of storage capacity and internal configuration options, when compared to security cases and strong boxes, but they differ from gun safes in several respects. The thinner gauge of steel, a simple locking mechanism, and the absence of fire-resistant insulation keeps these units in the $150 to $450 price range and reduces their weight. Because these cabinets are light enough to be moved safely up and down stairs by just one or two people, they can be employed in locations such as apartment buildings or second-floor rooms, where a gun safe would be too large or heavy to install.
An excellent example of this category is the Model GCB-18-C convertible security cabinet from Stack-On. This California DOJ-approved cabinet can hold up to 18 54-inch long guns, or nine long guns and four shelves of storage, or it can be converted to all storage shelves, depending on your needs. The three-point security system features a double-bitted, key-coded lock for greater security. Fastening hardware, for attaching the cabinet to the floor or wall, and foam padding for the shelves and floor of the cabinet are included. If additional storage space is needed, a Model GCB-900 pistol and ammunition cabinet can be mounted on top of the GCB-18-C convertible.
5. Gun Safes represent the most secure gun storage option available to the average gun owner. A basic, no-frills safe is superior to any other storage option discussed so far in preventing unauthorized access to firearms. The dedicated racks and lined interiors will help to protect the finish of the guns and, most importantly, safes are an effective theft deterrent. A gun safe’s weight, the heavy-gauge steel of the outer box, the complex locking mechanism, and the option to bolt the safe directly to a concrete slab, all work together to frustrate the efforts of burglars. Safes not only fulfill the three-fold mission of safe gun storage, they can also provide additional protection against flooding, fires and other disasters. Quality safes are available from American manufacturers, including Cannon, Fort Knox and Liberty Safe.
The purchase of a gun safe represents a significant financial commitment. Just like other high-end consumer products, safes are available with a wide variety of features, all of which affect the bottom line cost of the unit. With prices ranging from $500 to more than $2,500, it’s important to understand which features are important to you. Here are some of the price-changing details to pay attention to:
6. Safe Size: The larger a safe is, the more it costs. So the best way to save money is to purchase only as much interior safe space as required. However, it’s common for a first-time buyer to underestimate the amount of space he needs, resulting in added expense purchasing another safe down the road.
Here is a rule-of-thumb to help in avoiding the undersized-safe problem. Take a look at all of the items that will be going into the safe once it arrives. There are the guns you have on hand, including related gear like optics, ammunition and magazines. Then tally the guns and gear you plan to buy in the future. Now add to that the non-shooting valuables that will make their way into the safe, including computer hard drives, jewelry, documents and so on. Once a minimum storage requirement is calculated, find a safe that meets those needs, and then buy the model that’s one size larger. That should leave you with enough room to maneuver.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when selecting a safe:
Steel Thickness: The overall toughness of a safe is generally quantified by the thickness of the steel used in its construction. The thicker the material, the more it costs. Steel is gauged using a reverse scale, meaning the smaller the number, is the thicker the metal will be. This means 10-ga. steel is thicker than 11, 12, or 14 gauge. Buyers need to pay attention to the thickness of the steel in the shell and the door, since thicknesses may be different in each of these components.
Fire Rating: Because fires in the home are far more common than we would like them to be, some gun safes are sold with a fire rating. This rating is determined by measuring the internal temperatures maintained within an insulated safe as it is exposed to a range of elevated temperatures over a measured period of time. There is no federal or industry-regulated standard, however, for how such temperature tests are conducted, and there is no minimum standard for what a fire rating should be. So it’s up to the buyer to pay close attention to the numbers quoted by the manufacturers.
For example, the average American house will burn to the ground in approximately 60 minutes without emergency service intervention. Let’s suppose firefighters can arrive on-site within 10 to 15 minutes of a fire being reported. This means the fire will likely be cooling off, or even extinguished, within the 60-minute window. The temperature of a burning house can reach as high as 1,100 to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit; therefore, if the contents of a safe can survive an hour or more at 1,300 degrees, it has a solid rating.
Other Features: Many of the remaining features of a gun safe can be considered in the same way as those of an automobile. The fancier the paint job and upholstery are, the higher the cost will be. Electronic locks are faster and easier to use than manual (spin dial) locks, but they can be more expensive. When buying a vehicle, we pay close attention to how the configuration of the interior fits our requirements. With a safe, ensure that the shelves and racks will fit the gun collection properly so as to maximize your storage space. And finally, don’t forget to read the fine print in the warranty. Just like a vehicle, safes are expensive to repair if parts of it become smashed up or worn out.
We have a real advantage today over our gun-owning ancestors when it comes to safe gun storage. Not only has the technology changed and improved in so many ways, there are more options for responsible gun owners to choose from than ever before. No matter what your storage requirements or financial situation may be, there is a safe gun storage method to meet your needs.”
There is really no excuse to be safe with your firearm these days. When my children were young I did not really lock my guns up. I took away the mystery of guns and taught all of my children to shoot and how to be safe with many different kinds of guns. They were taught a healthy respect for guns and told they were not toys. In addition, we never bought them toy guns (other than squirt or nerf type guns that don’t resemble real guns) to play with. As I got older I realized the irresponsibility and danger of this and have since locked up my guns. But I also feel that if kids are determined something locked won’t stop them. It’s important to teach them safety and how to handle guns for their own safety. I now have grand-children that will be taught as my kids were but with the addition of locks. I have seen the error of my previous thinking and have repented. I’m grateful I didn’t lose a child to learn this lesson. Locking up your guns is only part of the responsibility. Teaching guns safety over and over will keep your kids safe and knowledgeable. A few of my kids are into guns but most of them are not. They do still have the safety that I drove into their heads though. Once in a while I will quiz them and they will roll their eyes or complain, but I notice they still know the rules!
Safety is responsibility. Safety is imperative. Safety is everything!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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