GUN SAFETY
It's only natural to be uncomfortable around guns at first. If you decide to buy one, go to a shooting range with a buddy a few times. Get a feel for shooting. Even more important, learn the basic rules of firearm safety (posted above in the red box). Better yet - if you have no firearm experience, attend a firearm safety course. The NRA or your local sporting goods store can help you find one close by. Some introductory classes are even free. The only thing worse than someone uncomfortable around guns owning one, is someone owning one that is TOO comfortable. Remember, firearms are DEADLY WEAPONS. Safety has to ALWAYS come first.
Do a web search on "accidental or negligent discharge of a firearm" and you'll be surprised at what pops up. A good deal of incidents involve professionals; i.e. Police Officers, Firearm Instructors, etc. A thing to remember is that "accidents" involving firearms where someone else is injured can be charged as a felony. I even saw a video of a DEA agent who was giving a lecture to a class of 5th graders. He shot himself in the leg with his handgun as he was describing why he was the only one in the room professional enough to handle it. Ouch. Another guy shot himself in the hand while he was field stripping his gun to clean it. He had 20 plus years as a firearm instructor. He "thought" he had checked the chamber before starting. Always check the chamber THREE TIMES and you'll never make that mistake. Another point is to stay familiar with all your firearms, especially the ones that may have sat in your safe for 10 years. It would be easy to make a mental error field stripping one gun while your brain thinks it's a different one.
Never do ANYTHING with your guns while under the influence. Make sure they are locked safely away. Booze plus bullets equals MAJOR TROUBLE. Trust me on this one. It's best to have some sort of lockable container to put all your firearms in ... and give the key to a neighbor until the next day. You can, of course, just take all your firearms to a neighbor; unloaded and locked using the lock that came with the firearm. Just be sure it's a neighbor you can trust to not give in and give you a firearm back if you beg to get "just one to show your friends".
Make sure your holster covers the trigger if your gun is a semi-automatic. Most these days do. Most prevent you from accidentally putting your finger on the trigger, or catching it on anything else. When breaking in a new holster make sure you do so with an unloaded gun until you get used to it. With ANY firearm the first safety is the USER! You should also learn your state and local laws involving firearms in general as well as open and concealed carry laws.
A quick word on my opinion of open carry. While most states will allow it, I don't think it's a good idea in most places. It draws attention to you; worst case it will draw the attention of someone who wants to take your gun just because they think they can. Use good sense. If you think you will look cool by wearing your gun in plain view think again. Unfortunately a lot of people, depending on what you look like, may actually feel threatened by your presence. Most people in the general population don't have a clue about firearm laws and will quickly dial 911 on their cell phone to report you to the local Sheriff. On the range, out in the woods, or in places where open carry is COMMON; go for it if you feel you need to. Or just get yourself a concealed carry permit/license and let the bad guys guess if you're armed or not. Let the tactical surprise be to your benefit.
Now a word about the cool guy. We all know the cool guy. He gets anywhere close to a gun and instantly his finger is on the trigger and he's sighting some kid riding his bike down the street, or your sister, or even you. Keep your guns properly secured and away from the cool guy. If you are ever inclined to let someone else check out your weapon, YOU make sure and unload and clear it first. NEVER hand a loaded weapon to anyone. If you don't know how to properly and safely check the chamber on someone else's DEADLY WEAPON, then don't touch it. Period. You should never be embarrassed to ask someone to clear their weapon for you.
If you don't feel comfortable carrying with a round in the chamber, then don't. It's your gun. You need to go with your own gut feelings, experience, training, and confidence level and not the latest internet fad when it comes to weapon handling.
I just wanted to close out this page by saying that whenever I field strip a gun for cleaning, I usually take a cursory glance at the Owners Manual. It's always a good refresher to at least verify that the procedures you're about to perform are in fact for the gun you have in your hands, and not another one that's still fresh in your mind. In summary, while all my semi-autos field strip about the same way, there are differences. Just about the time you think you have it all down pat ... (click) - BOOM! Not a good picture eh?
A quick refresher:
1. The gun is ****** loaded.
2. Never ***** the gun at something you don't want to destroy.
3. Keep your finger *** the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Know your target and what is ****** it.
Got it? Good!
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