Did you know that around 40 percent of adults in the United States either own a firearm or live in a home with someone that does? No matter what types of guns are in your home, it’s always a good idea to pursue gun safety training to ensure that everyone around you is safe.
Sadly, common gun safety mistakes are all quite avoidable as long as you stick to a good gun cleaning routine, invest in gun safety equipment, and make good use of proper gun storage. The good news is that you’ve found a great resource to learn about these common mistakes so that you can take steps to avoid them.
Keep reading this article to learn more about gun safety tips today!
1. Not Taking Time to Understand the Mechanics of Your Firearm
Each firearm is different, so it’s important that you take the time to learn about how each of your firearms works and the different mechanical components that you should know about. It’s always a bad idea to handle and fire a gun if you don’t know how it works from a mechanical standpoint.
The best approach to take with all types of guns is to gain an understanding of how they work before you start using them. You should also learn how to safely load and unload your firearm as well as the best way to carry it. Combine that with gun safety training and you’re well on your way to using firearms in a safe manner for all.
2. Keeping Your Firearm Loaded
The vast majority of gun owners use their firearms on a sporadic basis. You should never keep your firearm loaded when it’s in your vehicle or in your home unless you’re trained for using it for self-defense purposes. The only time that you should have live ammunition in your firearm is when you’re getting ready to fire at a target.
When you’re not using your firearms you should use proper gun storage and keep the ammunition stored in a separate area. Once you’re done using your firearm it’s a good idea to unload it in a safe manner and proceed with your gun cleaning routine.
Avoid keeping a loaded gun in your car, home, or place of business as this greatly increases the risk of someone getting injured. It’s also a good idea to consider carrying concealed carry insurance if you plan on using your firearm for self-defense.
3. Using the Wrong Ammo
You should always double-check the ammunition that you’re putting in your firearm prior to using it. Using the wrong size of ammo could result in the gun getting destroyed and you suffering a serious injury. It’s always better to be safe than sorry with firearms, so check the ammunition to see that it matches the specifications for the firearm before using it.
The wrong ammunition will create too much pressure in the chamber when fired. This could ultimately lead to the firearm exploding while you’re using it, which is dangerous for you and the people around you.
4. Forgetting to Do the Safety Check
Any time that you touch or pick up a firearm you should always do a comprehensive safety check. Always check the chamber or the cylinder, depending on the types of guns you own, to make sure that there isn’t a round in the chamber. Make this a habit each time that you use a firearm as it’s one of the biggest parts of successful gun safety training.
Take this safety measure seriously as it could end up saving your life or that of someone around you. Even if a friend or family member just checked to make sure that the firearm isn’t loaded you should still check it yourself before doing anything with it.
5. Poor Storage
Proper gun storage is one of the best ways to eliminate accidents that involve firearms in the home. It doesn’t take much for a firearm accident to occur, but proper gun storage will keep your firearms out of sight and inaccessible to anyone that you don’t want using your firearms.
Proper gun storage is especially important if you have children in your home. The last thing that you want is for your children to find your guns and start using them as toys. It’s one of the most common gun safety mistakes across the United States of America. Shop around until you find a gun safe that fits nicely in your home and provides a great deal of security for your firearms.
6. Not Sticking to a Gun Cleaning Routine
Another important gun safety tip that you need to use to keep yourself and those around you safe is to stick with a gun cleaning routine. Guns are subject to wear and tear, especially if you use your firearms on a regular basis. You could end up with a buildup of debris from gunpowder or other things from nature.
Your gun cleaning routine is vital for keeping the barrel clear of any debris. It will decrease the possibility of dangerous situations like ammunition jams.
7. Not Educating Family Members
If you have other family members in your home then you have a duty to educate them on gun safety training. Take the time to show them how the firearm works and the proper way to check to see if the firearm is loaded. The best way to prevent dangerous accidents is to educate those around you about how to maintain gun safety and avoid the costly common gun safety mistakes.
Start Avoiding These Common Gun Safety Mistakes Today
The most frustrating part of the common gun safety mistakes that get made today is that they’re all quite avoidable as long as you receive gun safety training and you invest in proper gun storage. Take the time to educate yourself on how different types of guns work before using them and never leave your firearms loaded. You should also stick to a gun cleaning routine to maintain safe use.
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