Becoming a responsible gun owner starts with education. Regardless if you have owned guns for years or just learned to shoot, you need to understand how to operate a firearm safely. From understanding the different components that make up a gun to learning how to shoot in high-stress situations, becoming a more knowledgeable shooter will help you handle your firearm as responsibly as possible. One part of becoming a more knowledgeable gun owner includes understanding the NRA gun safety rules. These rules were created to help keep yourself and others safe when shooting a gun.
As one of the best firearms training centers on Colorado’s Front Range, Colorado Handgun Safety is committed to helping you become a responsible gun owner. We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality handgun education in Colorado. We teach the most up-to-date safety education, laws, and tactics to help you become a safe and responsible shooter. Whether you’re carrying a concealed handgun or want to be prepared to use your firearm in self-defense, following these gun safety tips will help keep everyone as safe as possible.
Three NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling
The National Rifle Association, or NRA, has created a list of three rules to help ensure your safety when handling a gun. By diligently following these rules, you reduce the risk of accidents.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never held a gun or if you have carried a concealed handgun for years, it is crucial to follow these rules whenever handling a firearm. The three NRA rules for safe gun handling are:
- Always point your gun in a safe direction.
One of the most essential rules of handling any gun is to always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction — never at people or animals. Depending on the situation, the safest direction will change, so use your common sense to determine this. One thing to always remember, regardless of the situation, is to never point a muzzle at yourself or toward someone else.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, you’ll notice your finger naturally wants to rest on the trigger. However, it’s important to avoid this. Until you are ready to fire your handgun, rest your finger outside the trigger guard. The more you are aware and practice where to rest your finger, the more quickly it’ll become a habit to rest it outside the frame until you’re ready to fire.
- Keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to operate.
When holding a gun, keep the action open and unloaded until you’re prepared to shoot. If you are using a gun that has a magazine, make sure to remove the magazine and check that it’s empty. If you’re not sure how to open an action or inspect a gun’s chamber, ask for help instead of attempting to do so by yourself.
Additional Gun Safety Tips
These three NRA gun safety rules are a great starting point to understanding how to safely operate a firearm. However, the safety tips do not end there. You should always use your best judgment when handling a gun. Additional firearm safety rules to remember include:
- Know your target.
- Clean your firearm regularly.
- Store your gun safely.
- Wear eye and ear protection.
- Know how to operate a firearm.
- Use the correct ammunition for your gun.
- Do not shoot while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications.
Become a Responsible Gun Owner with Colorado Handgun Safety
The first step to becoming a responsible gun owner is having a thorough understanding of firearm safety. These NRA gun safety rules and additional safety tips are here to teach you vital information about how to responsibly shoot a gun.
At Colorado Handgun Safety, our team of gun professionals is here to teach you everything you need to know about safely handling your firearms. We’re passionate about helping individuals become responsible, knowledgeable gun owners. By committing the above rules to memory and always practicing these tips when holding a gun, you will greatly reduce your risk of accidentally firing your firearm. To learn more about safe gun handling practices, contact Colorado Handgun Safety today!
