GUN SAFETY
| TEN COMANDMENT'S OF GUN SAFETY |
| The Ten Commandments of Firearms Safety should be etched in your memory forever. Let them govern your actions wherever and whenever you're involved with firearms. In the woods. On the range. Or in your home. Please take time to review and understand these rules. |
| 1---Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. |
| 2---Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. |
| 3---Don't rely on your gun's safety. |
| 4---Be sure of your target and what's beyond it. |
| 5---Use proper ammunition. |
| 6---If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care. |
| 7---Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting. |
| 8---Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. |
| 9---Don't alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly. |
| 10--Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are usinTEN COMANDMENTS OF ARCHERY NEVER NEVER * Dry fire your bow" or shoot it without an arrow. This will result in damage to your bow. NEVER * Let anyone draw or shoot your bow if their draw length is longer than yours. Over drawing of the bow can cause cable damage. NEVER * Draw, aim, or shoot your bow unless you are sure that the line of fire is clear. Remember, once an arrow is fired it cannot be recalled. NEVER * Shoot an arrow that is less than five grains per pound. For example, an 80# bow requires a minimum of 400 grains of arrow weight. Less than five grains per pound of arrow weight simulates a dry fire effect and may damage your bow. NEVER *Expose your bow to extreme heat. Excessive heat, such as your car on a hot day, could lead to limb failure. ALWAYS ALWAYS * Check all of your arrow shafts and nocks upon removal from the target. Do not shoot any arrows that show defects or broken nocks. ALWAYS * Carefully inspect your bow after each use. Be sure all screws are snug and accessories are tight. Inspect your string and cables for wear or damage. ALWAYS * Draw your bow while pointing it at the target. A premature release of the arrow can be very dangerous. If you cannot draw your bow while pointing it at the target without excessive movement, lower the peak weight of your bow until you can draw smoothly and correctly. Over time you will build up strength, and will be able to return to the higher weight. ALWAYS * Draw your bow with an arrow on the string while keeping it pointed in a safe direction. Never draw your bow with a release aid without an arrow. A release aid failure could result in the dry fire of your bow. ALWAYS * Back your limb bolts off five full turns from the riser before putting it in a bow press. Only let a qualified professional or a Martin authorized dealer put your bow in a bow press. Inexperienced use of a bow press or a T- stringer can result in damage to your bow. This type of damage caused by a press is not covered under the Martin Archery bow warranty.
Muzzleloading Safety Do's and Don'ts Important Cautions for the Muzzleloader DO Read and understand your instruction manual. If you didn't get one with your muzzleloader, order one from the manufacturer. They will send you one for free. Many companies now have a web site and online manuals are common. DO Seek instruction from a qualified instructor. Your shooting club can help you. DO Always wear shatterproof shooting glasses and ear protection, as both percussion and flintlock guns may shower sparks and bits of caps/flints when fired. Pre-1840's style round lensed safety glasses are available from several suppliers. DO Use genuine black powder of the proper size granulation or a black powder substitute such as Pyrodex or Clear Shot only. (Never use smokeless powder in a muzzleloader!) DO Treat a misfire or failure to fire as though the gun can fire at any second. Wait at least a minute with gun pointed at the target. DO Handle a muzzleloader with the same respect due all other firearms. DO Be sure all spectators are completely behind you when firing. Flames and bits of caps/flint sometimes exit from the side of the gun. It is good shooting etiquette to warn other shooters that you are about to fire a flint lock next to them. DON'T Never fire a muzzleloader unless the ball is firmly seated against the powder charge. Firing a muzzleloader with the ball off the powder or part way up the barrel may cause serious damage to the firearm and possibly serious injury to the shooter. DON'T Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended maximum powder charge. The proper charge for a muzzleloading firearm is an efficient load which provides consistent ignition, consistent velocity and yields a chamber pressure which is well below maximum safe levels. DON'T Never use FFFFg black powder for a charge in any muzzleloader at any time. The only safe use for fine priming powder is for the priming of a pan on a flint lock. Fine powders will cause excessive pressures and could very well burst your barrel. DON'T Never lean over (or stand in front of) the muzzle at any time. DON'T Never attempt to shoot out a projectile which is not firmly seated against the powder charge. The ball and powder charge should be removed. Begin by placing a small amount of bore cleaner through the nipple or clean-out screw hole. Thoroughly soak powder. Using a ball puller, screw directly into the ball. Once the ball puller is anchored into the ball, it can be pulled out of the bore. Dump out the powder charge. DON'T Never smoke while loading, shooting or handling black powder. Always follow manufacturer's safety precautions, as listed on its container. All it takes is one spark and it could spell disaster. DON'T Never drink alcohol and shoot. It will not be tolerated at any time at our events. If you desire to drink...stay far away from your guns and the firing line on the range. DON'T Do not pour a powder charge directly from a horn or flask. If a smoldering ember is present, it could ignite the powder in the larger container, as well as the powder charge, as it is poured into the barrel. This excessive amount of black powder could cause a dangerous explosion possibly causing a serious injury to your self and bystanders. Therefore, be safety minded, use a graduated powder measure or other small measuring device. DON'T Never blow into your barrel at any time! It is not allowed at our events. The practice of blowing down a barrel between shots may cause a flash of unburned powder that can burn you! Remember this.
It is of paramount importance that shotguns are always stored and used in a safe manner. Whether in the field or simply clay pigeon shooting, it cannot be stressed highly enough how important it is to always be aware that you are in possession of a lethal weapon Safety in the Home When not in use, always keep your shotgun safe and secure, preferably locked away in your gun cabinet. It is preferable to store your cartridges, locked and secure, in a separate cabinet or compartment. 1) Never put a loaded shotgun away in your cabinet. 2) Always prove that a shotgun is unloaded as soon as you handle it 3) Always prove that a shotgun is empty, before handing it to someone else, by offering it to them with the . . .. ....breech open. 4) Never load your shotgun indoors. 5) Never allow unauthorised persons access to your shotgun. 6) Never allow unsupervised or unsuitable persons, especially children, access to your shotgun. 7) Never leave a shotgun, even unloaded, unattended. 8) Never stand a shotgun in such a position that it can fall or be knocked over 9) Always carry a shotgun so that it cannot point at anyone. 10) Always have the safety catch on 'safe' until the moment before you wish to fire. 11) Always unload your shotgun before crossing an obstacle or negotiating difficult terrain. 12) Always pass it stock first 13) Always carry a shotgun open and empty when in close company. 14) Always look through both barrels to check whenever an obstruction may have entered 15) Never load a shotgun until you are about to start shooting 16) Never put a loaded gun down 17) Never touch the triggers until you want to fire. 18) Never attempt to shoot unless you are steady on your feet. 19) Never attach a dog's lead to yourself, it may pull you off balance 20) Never shoot unless you are sure what you're shooting. 21) Never shoot unless you are sure that it is safe to do so. 22) Never shoot after consumption of alcohol or any drug.Transportation safety 1) Always keep your shotgun in its case or cover whilst transporting it. 2) Never transport a loaded shotgun 3) If staying away from home overnight, your shotgun should be stored, preferably with a Registered Firearms 4) Dealer or in a secure cabinet of another suitable certificate holder. 5) If it is absolutely necessary to leave your shotgun in a vehicle, it must be stored out of sight, preferably in the 6) locked boot. Consider taking a small part of the weapon, such as the fore-end, with you and always ensure ....that you lock the vehicle securely. 7) If this is to be a regular habit, consider having a lockable metal storage case welded inside the vehicles ....boot. 8) Remember, leaving your shotgun in the care of a hotel or guest house patron, even in their safe, may ....expose them to being in unlawful possession of a shotgun, unless they are also certificate holders.
RIFLE / LONG GUN Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. A typical bolt-action long gun is shown here with the names of some of its parts. Various types of long gun actions are shown on the following pages of this brochure.
Magazines Some long guns use a magazine. A magazine is a storage device designed to hold cartridges ready for insertion into the firing chamber. The location of the magazine may vary depending upon the action, model, and make of the gun. Various types of magazines also exist. Two of these magazine types are described below. A box magazine is usually found in the location shown here. Some box magazines are detachable and can be removed by depressing a button, latch, or similar release device. Other types of box magazines are not detachable. Some have a hinged floorplate, and are unloaded by pressing a release device that allows the floorplate to open and the cartridges to drop out of the magazine. Other types of non-detachable magazines do not have a releasable floorplate, and the cartridges are usually ejected by carefully opening and partially closing the action.
A tubular magazine is usually found in one of the locations shown here. Some tubular magazines have an inside tube which must be removed in order to let cartridges drop out of the magazine. The action must also be opened and partially closed several times in order to be sure that no cartridges are left in the magazine. Other types of tubular magazines do not have a removable inside tube, and the cartridges are usually removed by carefully operating the action of the gun. Because a cartridge can become stuck in a magazine tube, the gun may still contain a cartridge after the above steps have been taken. Therefore, leave the action open to prevent a cartridge from being moved into the chamber.
NOTE: Read the manufacturer's instructions for unloading your type of gun. However, whenever possible: (1) avoid handling the gun when a cartridge is in the chamber; and (2) avoid working the action in such a way that a cartridge is fully inserted into the chamber. Bolt Action Bolt actions are opened using a lift and pull motion similar to that used to open a door bolt or gate bolt.
To Unload: If the gun has a detachable box magazine, remove it. If the magazine is tubular or non-detachable, see "Magazines" above. Open and partially close the action several times by operating the bolt to be sure that all cartridges are ejected. Inspect the chamber (plus the action and any tubular or non-detachable magazine) to be sure that the gun is empty. Lever Action
Lever actions are opened by pulling the lever down and away from the stock, and are closed by returning the lever to its original position. Most lever-action guns have tubular magazines, but some models may use box-type magazines. To Unload: If the gun has a detachable box magazine, remove it. If the magazine is tubular or non-detachable, see "Magazines" above. Open and partially close the action several times by operating the lever to be sure that all cartridges are ejected. Inspect the chamber (plus the action and any tubular or non-detachable magazine) to be sure that the gun is empty. Pump Action
Pump actions are operated with a pumping motion. The action is opened by pulling the fore-end of the gun to the rear, and closed by pushing the fore-end back to its original position. Some pump-action guns have tubular magazines, while other models use box-type magazines. To Unload: If the gun has a detachable box magazine, remove it. If the magazine is tubular or non-detachable, see "Magazines" above. Open and partially close the action several times by pumping the fore-end to be sure that all cartridges are ejected. Inspect the chamber (plus the action and any tubular or non-detachable magazine) to be sure that the gun is empty. Semi-Automatic Action
Semi-automatic actions are opened by pulling the bolt handle straight to the rear. Some semi-automatics have tubular magazines, while other models use box-type magazines. To Unload: If the gun has a detachable box magazine, remove it. If the magazine is tubular or non-detachable, see "Magazines" above. Open and partially close the action several times by pulling the bolt handle to the rear to be sure that all cartridges are ejected. Inspect the chamber (plus the action and any tubular or non-detachable magazine) to be sure that the gun is empty. Hinge Action
Hinge actions are opened by moving a release lever to one side, and then moving the hinged barrel(s) downward. Hinge-action guns do not have magazines. To Unload: Activate the release lever and move the hinged barrel(s) downward. Opening the action may cause the cartridges to be ejected from the firing chamber(s). If the cartridges are not ejected, remove them from the chamber(s) with your fingers. Inspect the chamber(s) carefully to be sure that the gun is empty |
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