8/30/2007

Follow the 10 Rules of Firearm Safety on Every Hunt - Tom Keith

LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter is hoping the 2007 hunting seasons will prove to be among the safest on record and he says that is possible if hunters follow the 10 rules of firearm safety one every hunt.

Cut this list out of the paper and tape it to the dashboard in your truck, on the refrigerator in the kitchen, on the mirror over your bathroom sink, and on the wall above the coffee pot at work and read it every time you see it. Then, in the field, follow the rules religiously.

The 10 Rules of Firearm Safety:

1. Treat every gun with the respect due a loaded gun.

2. Watch that muzzle! Be able to control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.

3. Be sure the firearm’s barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only the proper ammunition with you for the gun you are carrying.

4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger, and always know the identifying features of the game you are hunting. Firearms are dangerous when not properly handled. Shotguns shoot several hundred yards, a .22 rifle will shoot over one mile and some big game rifles will shoot several miles.

5. Unload guns when not in use. Always have the firearm’s action open and the chamber empty except when actually hunting. Transport guns in cases, or secure storage racks in vehicles. Always handle a gun by the stock, never the barrel.

6. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. Guns are not toys to be played with, but tools to be used properly and safely.

7. Never climb over or under a fence, into or out of a tree, or jump a ditch with a loaded gun.

8. Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water. When involved in target practice or hunting, be sure your backstop is adequate.

9. Store guns and ammunition under lock and key. Keep them out of reach of children and careless adults.

10. Avoid alcoholic beverages, medication and other mind-altering drugs before and during shooting and hunting outings. Don’t use anything that can impair judgment, decreases motor skills, degrades vision and hearing and other important functions when you are hunting.