The Four Rules.
Owning guns is a right, in my opinion, and with that right
comes responsibility. There are responsibilities with all rights, and the chief
responsibility is safety. That includes safe storage (not the topic today) and
safe handling of the weapon.
There are four rules to safe gun handling, in my world. I
have heard variations on these in nearly every gun class I have taken in the
last 20 years. Before that it was a little less structured. Sometimes three
rules, sometimes only two.
But with these four rules, you have to violate at least two
to have an ND (Negligent Discharge.)
Of course, this also pertains to purposeful discharge, when
you want the bullet to go to a certain place. The bullseye, the rabbit, the
metal plate, the thoracic cavity of someone intent on doing you or someone else
harm. The four rules still apply.- Every gun is loaded, even if it isn’t.If every gun is always loaded, in your handling of that gun, there’s no “I didn’t know it was loaded.” when you shot your wife in the face.
- Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to destroy.If you don’t point a gun at something that shouldn’t be destroyed (target, plate, bad guy) then you won’t have problems destroying something you shouldn’t. This includes parts of your body!
- Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to fire, and your focus is on the front sight of your weapon.If you only have your finger on the trigger when you are ready to fire, where is that bullet going to go? The target? Right.
- Always be aware of what is between you and your target, AND what is beyond your target if you over penetrate.You really don’t want to hit the target and then cause an injury in someone on the other side of the target. And bullets can penetrate a long way.
Best regards, and keep the four rules,
DaveJ
Hey, great job, again. The links were a nice add. I viewed the videos and some of those comments and connecting blogs and such. It took me down an interesting path: I suppose that is is possible to have an 'accidental discharge' if the firearm itself goes off without a finger on the trigger (as a Glock guy, I don't have and don't believe in external safeties -- you put your finger on the trigger = you are responsible for the shot, intended or not and safety engaged or not.). So, if a part in the firearm fails and it shoots without finger on trigger, I guess that isn't your fault. HOWEVER, even in these incredibly rare situations, there should not be an injury -- as you are responsible for the muzzle direction at all times.
ReplyDeleteFollow the rules as Dave so clearly laid out, and you won't cause any injuries, to you or me.