Trigger Finger- Pointing You In the Right Direction for Gun Safety
It’s impossible to talk politics nowadays without discussing guns and gun safety. Always a hot topic among politicians, guns are a pivotal issue when it comes to voting and choosing a representative. Regardless of who you choose, and what you believe in, everyone’s #1 priority when it comes to guns should be: SAFETY.
Gun Safety Background
According to MagTech’s Safety Website (2017), there are 12 rules that should always be kept in mind when handling a gun. We won’t go into all of the rules here, but some of the essentials are to ALWAYS treat a gun as if it is loaded (even when it isn’t loaded), make sure that you are using the correct type of ammunition, don’t rely solely on the gun’s safety feature, and NEVER point a gun at anything that you do not intend to harm or destroy (MagTech, 2017).
These rules and general laws and regulations surrounding guns are not in place to destroy your fun or harsh your vibe. These rules are there to help keep everyone safe and to avoid accidents and negligence. The worst thing that can happen is someone getting hurt from an accidental discharge of a gun.
My 2nd Amendment Right
Isn’t it my right in the 2nd amendment to bear arms? Yes, according to the Bill of Rights, the right to bear arms is a fundamental right guaranteed to those in the United States. However, there are rules regulating the carrying and concealment of weapons. These laws are in place to keep people safe.
Concealed carry is the act of carrying a weapon in public, but keeping it hidden. This applies to more than just firearms. These laws differ by state and by the type of weapon being referenced.
Who is Looking Out for Us?
The National Rifle Association, or NRA, is the main body looking out for those who operate guns. The NRA is a non-profit organization that advocates for gun rights and access to firearms. It is important to keep in mind that the rules for safe handling go further than gun use. The NRA stresses the importance not only of safe use of a gun, but also about safe storage and safe handling.
How can I safely store a gun?
What a great question! People seem to know a lot about safe handling and use of a gun. It is easy to understand not to point a gun at someone you don’t intend to harm, and to make sure the safety is on, but storing a gun? How can you store something safely? There are 4 main steps/categories to reference when learning safe gun storage (Wikipedia, 2017).
1) Gun safes
This is where a gun is physically stored to avoid the incorrect parties from gaining access to the firearm. Typically, the laws for different locks and locking mechanisms differ geographically.
2) Disassembly
By disassembling, or taking a gun apart, access to the functioning pieces of the firearms can be avoided. Again, laws differ geographically for disassembly requirements.
3) Gun locks
A gun lock is what it sounds like. This is an item that is used to make it difficult to use the firearm after having gained access. There are multiple types of gun locks, for example, a trigger lock or a chamber lock. Locks are considered one of the lesser ways to safely store a gun, because they aren’t as effective as disassembly or locking the gun away. However, it is important to note that a gun lock is more effective than leaving a gun out in the open.
4) Ammunition storage
Storing ammunition in a space away from the actual firearm is recommended, because that way if someone does gain access to the firearm, they cannot shoot it. The most important thing about ammunition storage is keeping the ammo in cool, dry conditions. You wouldn’t want heat near there to accidentally set off the ammo.
Keep Guns Away from Children
It is important to keep guns away from children. Firearms were created to keep people safe and to protect against people who wanted to harm you. Children were not the intended recipients of firearms. A gun in the hands of a child can be dangerous, as media portrays weapons as items for safety, and children do not have the capacity to handle these weapons. This is another reason why it is important to keep guns locked up and away from children who may use them as playthings.
What Else is Available to You?
Besides reading this article and using general knowledge, what else is available to help you learn? Luckily the NRA hosts firearm training courses. These courses not only train you how to safely handle a weapon, but you can also earn how to perfect your skills as a shooter. Training can be done in a class that can be found in your area, or through online training. For younger children, there is the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. This program teaches children what to do if they ever find a gun. Finally, there is the School Shield Program to teach firearm safety in schools, and to train school security on the proper techniques of carrying and utilizing weapons for school safety (NRA, 2017).
Laws by Area
As mentioned multiple times above, gun laws differ by geographical area, meaning by state and by country. These laws are constantly changing, so it is important to make sure you check daily to see any pending legislation in your area.
ls a gun the right choice for me?
We aren’t here to tell you whether or not you should buy a gun. This article is here to explain the basics and fundamentals of guns and gun safety. The most important question someone considering the purchase of a gun can ask is: “Will I be a responsible gun owner?” If you buy a gun, are you willing to keep it locked up in a safe area? Will you educate yourself and your children on the practices of carrying and using such a weapon? Are you fully educated on your weapon and the care and ammunition it requires? These questions alone should point you in the direction of whether or not you will be a responsible gun owner.
Keep yourself safe. Keep your family safe. Keep the country safe.