20 golden gun safety rules

Shooting UK

November 22, 2016

Some gun safety handling rules that cover what to do and what not to do when you've a gun in your hands.

Do you know where the other shooters are?

Always know where your fellow shooters are
Have a quick glance around as you walk onto the stand – it could save a life

Check to ensure there is no obstruction in the barrels
If anyone hands you a gun (and they’re stupid enough to hand it closed), check to see if the chambers are empty and the barrels clear
Always treat guns as if they are loaded
The only truly safe gun is an unloaded gun
On a shooting ground your gun should always be broken and unloaded when not in use
Only load the gun when you’re actually on the stand
Load the gun when you’re ready to fire – with the muzzles pointing ahead to the firing zone
Don’t make U-turns. Inexperienced shooters sometimes fire the first shot then turn to advice from fellow shooters. A big NO.
Never turn on a stand with a loaded gun. Break it first and unload it.

If it’s not in its slip, you always have your gun broken and unloaded when walking between drives
On the shooting ground, all over-and-unders and side-by sides should be broken at all times
The exception is when an unloaded gun is safe in its gun slip.
Make sure your gun is unloaded and carry it in its gun slip whenever possible
If a gun’s not in a slip, make sure it’s broken
Never leave cartridges in the gun when it’s not being used
To be doubly safe, break the gun as you are taking it out of the slip
It’s hard for other shooters to tell if a semi-auto or pump action is loaded or not.

Many owners of semi-autos put safety flags in the loading slot to show the gun is safe
When not in use and out of the slip, these guns should always be open at the breech and held with the muzzles pointing straight up or at the ground
Never point a gun at anyone
Even accomplished shots know it’s safety first, last and always.