Handgun Safety Rules

According to Federal Bureau of Investigations statistics, about 10,000 people die every year from firearms in the United States. It's important to make sure those who are in possession of handguns know all the proper safety protocols.

  1. Shooting Rules

    • When operating a handgun, make sure it is always pointed in a safe direction. Do not point the gun at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot. The safest direction is usually down at the ground. Do not ever wave the handgun in the air. Also, never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot the gun. Keep the index finger on the barrel of the handgun until it's time to pull the trigger. Finally make sure the handgun is not loaded until you are ready to fire it. This is to prevent accidental shootings by people who do not know the gun is loaded.

      Once you are ready to fire the gun, make sure you know where your target is and that there is nothing behind your target. Also, make sure you are properly skilled to operate the handgun and you have proper licenses to be carrying or shooting it. Finally, learn everything about the gun's features, compartments, chambers and parts to ensure you know how they operate and what to do in case something breaks.

      At the shooting range, it's important to wear eye goggles and ear plugs or headphones to alleviate the chance of injuries. Do not shoot while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and make sure you have the proper ammunition loaded in the weapon.

    Storage Rules

    • When storing a weapon, put it in a safe, locked place. Store the guns and ammunition in separate locked areas. If you have children, do not tell them where the gun is stored and lock the room. Do not show young children the weapon, as this will make them curious to explore what this new "toy" is all about. Use a locking device that can be attached directly to the handgun to prevent the gun from being fired without your knowledge.

    Cleaning Rules

    • Keeping the handgun clean is important, but extra precautions must be taken to ensure safety. After every use, the gun should be cleaned properly. The first step is to double- and triple-check that the gun is not loaded. Also, do not clean a gun when ammunition is present in the area. Many accidents occur when gun owners do not take the extra precautions while they are cleaning. Do the cleaning in an empty room, away from others. Also, a gun kept in storage for a long time should be cleaned, as well, to lessen chances of a malfunction.