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Firearms Safety Rules

Understanding how to safely operate a firearm is one of the most crucial aspects of being a responsible gun owner. To protect yourself and others, you first must understand the proper gun safety rules to handle, use, and store your handgun. Whether you have owned a gun for decades or have just learned to shoot, you need to know these firearms safety rules as a handgun owner.

Responsibility starts with education. That is why at Colorado Handgun Safety, our goal is to provide you with the resources you need to become a knowledgeable, responsible handgun owner. As the leading firearm center in the Front Range, we provide the highest quality education to teach you the safe way to operate a handgun. By following these handgun safety rules, you will take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and those around you while using a firearm.

Basic Firearms Safety Rules

  • Get into the practice of holding every handgun as if it’s loaded, even if you know it’s not.
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot, point the firearm in a safe direction, and inspect the chamber and magazine whenever you pick up a handgun.
  • If you’re unsure how to check a gun’s chamber, it’s best to leave it alone. 
  • If you want to know if someone’s gun is loaded or not, ask them to show you safely.
  • Whether your handgun is loaded or not, make sure to point the muzzle in a safe direction away from others.
  • A “safe direction” will vary depending on your surroundings. For example, never point a handgun toward yourself or others.
  • To avoid misfiring your handgun, never lean it against a car or hold it where it could slide or fall.
  • Remember that firearms can unintentionally go off when closing the action, releasing the safety, or uncocking it.
  • Make sure to load your firearm when ready to fire and that you’re somewhere it can legally and safely discharge. 
  • If you haven’t used all of your rounds, unload your handgun entirely before leaving the shooting range.
  • Before firing, identify your target beyond all reasonable doubt. 
  • It’s crucial that you never simply shoot at movement; you must identify a target before shooting.
  • Be aware of what you could hit between you, your target, and beyond your target.
  • Ask yourself, “What could happen if I miss my target?”
  • Never fire if you know people are in front of your target.
  • Use extra precaution when shooting at a moving target.
  • Remember that rigid or flat surfaces can cause ricochets, so consider this when handling a firearm.
  • It’s crucial to have a safe place to store your ammunition and handguns. 
  • Make sure your storage is out of reach from children.
  • A loaded firearm in the wrong hands can wreak havoc, so store your ammunition and handguns separately.
  • Ensure that your firearms and ammunition are not available to unauthorized persons.
  • You need to think quickly and clearly when using a firearm, so avoid alcohol and drugs when operating a handgun. Even prescribed medication can impair your judgment, so ensure you are making responsible decisions. 
  • Make sure your handgun is locked away safely before consuming drugs, alcohol, or prescribed medication.
  • You must learn how a firearm operates before handling it. That means you should understand its parts, how to open and close the action, and how to remove ammunition from the magazine.
  • A handgun’s safety can fail, so safe gun handling is essential.
  • You need to make sure your handgun is safe to operate. Firearms need maintenance to be safe to function.
  • Make sure you use the correct ammunition for your firearm. Identify ammunition type by looking at the barrel of your firearm.

Firearms Safety Rules

Colorado Handgun Safety has the resources you need to become a responsible gun owner. That is why we are your go-to handgun safety training center in Colorado. If you are looking for additional firearms training resources, our team of experts is here to help answer your questions about handguns and more.

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Become a Responsible Handgun Owner With Colorado Handgun Safety

It only takes a split second for deadly accidents to occur. However, by practicing basic handgun safety rules, you’ll prioritize the safety of yourself and others. Before you know it, these firearms safety rules will become second nature to you, and you’ll be as prepared as possible to operate a handgun with the most thorough safety measures. 

As handgun safety experts, the professionals at Colorado Handgun Safety understand the importance of firearm safety education. Our goal is to help you become the most responsible handgun owner. We have the most up-to-date education and training to help you understand how to safely handle, use, and store a handgun. To learn more about gun handling safety rules or our handgun safety classes, contact Colorado Handgun Safety today!

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