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In owning a firearm, you must undertake full-time
responsibility for your firearm's safety and
security. You must protect yourself
and all others against injury from the firearm. In particular,
you must secure
firearms from children or those who act like children.
Many safety features are incorporated in
firearms. For your safety and the safety of others, do
not rely on mechanical
features alone. Only your
safe gun-handling habits
will ensure the safe
use of your firearm. This is your responsibility. Accidents
do not just happen. Accidents are the
result of violating the rules of safe gun
handling and common sense. Insure the safe use of
firearms. Follow these
essential safety instructions and warnings.
BASIC SAFETY RULES
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Never point a firearm at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot.
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Before handling any firearm, understand its operation.
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Always have your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
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Keep your firearm unloaded when not in use.
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Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.
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Never pass your firearm to another person until the cylinder or action is open
and you visually check that it is unloaded.
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Place your finger inside the trigger guard only when you are ready to fire.
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If you must carry a loaded firearm always carry it with the muzzle pointing in a
safe direction.
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Never carry or store firearms with the hammer in the cocked position.
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Do not allow a firearm to be used by individuals who do not understand its safe
operation and the rules of safe gun-handling.
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Be sure all accessories, such as holsters and grips, are compatible with the
firearm and that the accessories do not interfere with safe operation.
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When transporting your firearm, be sure your firearm is unloaded and that the
cylinder or action is open.
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Store your firearm unloaded. Safe and secure storage is one of your most
important responsibilities.
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Store your unloaded firearm and ammunition separately and in places inaccessible
to children and unauthorized persons.
PREPARATION FOR FIRING
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Wear safety glasses and ear protection whether indoors or out.
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Select a place to shoot which has a safe backstop, is free from obstructions and
water surfaces which cause ricochets.
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Always be aware of other people so that persons cannot accidentally walk into
the line of fire.
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Position the shooter and all others so that they are not within an area where
they may be struck by ejected cases.
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Keep fingers and other pares of your body away from the muzzle.
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When firing on a target range, be alert and follow the range officer's commands.
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Before anyone is allowed forward of the firing position, be sure that all
cylinders and actions of firearms are open, that chambers are clear of
cartridges, magazines are removed, and that firearms are pointing in a safe
direction.
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Never use alcoholic beverages or other drugs before or during shooting.
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Be alert at all times. Never shoot if you are tired, cold or impaired in any
way.
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Never cross obstacles such as fences or streams with a loaded firearm.
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If you are carrying a loaded firearm in the field, keep the muzzle pointed in a
safe direction. Think before shooting.
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Think before shooting.
AMMUNITION
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A firearm and ammunition are a system. Their performance is closely related.
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Your firearm has been designed for ammunition of a specific type and caliber, do
not alter the barrel, slide, or chamber of your gun.
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Use only ammunition specifically recommended by the manufacturer or your
firearm. Never mix ammunition.
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Use only commercially manufactured ammunition.
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Never use a cartridge not specifically designed for use in your firearm.
Excessive pressure can damage or even blow up any firearm.
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Ammunition with velocities and pressures higher than those for which the firearm
was designed, will subject the firearm to additional stress and may cause
excessive wear.
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If your firearm fails to fire when the hammer falls (misfires), keep the firearm
pointed in a safe direction, remove your finger from the trigger, wait 10
seconds, remove the cartridge from the chamber and dispose of it properly.
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If you hear an unusual sound or feel an unusual recoil when firing, stop firing,
wait 10 seconds, unload the firearm, and examine the barrel bore for
obstructions.
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Make sure your barrel is clear and free of obstruction. If you see an
obstruction, have the firearm serviced by a qualified, licensed gunsmith. Never
fire a firearm with an obstructed barrel.
TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
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Safe firearms transportation and storage are your responsibility.
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When transporting your firearm, whether in cars, trucks, boats, planes or other
vehicles, be sure your firearm is unloaded and that the cylinder or action is
open.
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Never store your firearm in a loaded condition.
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Store you unloaded firearms and ammunition in places inaccessible to children.
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Store you unloaded firearm and ammunition separately and securely.
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Protect your firearms from theft.
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Protect your firearms from misuse by untrained, unqualified or incompetent
persons.
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Obey all laws relating to the transportation of firearms.
STORAGE METHOD
When storing, do not encase your firearm in
anything which will attract moisture, for example
leather or heavy cloth. Also,
do not store guns with a plug inserted in the barrel for this is a
contributing
factor to moisture accumulation. If your firearm is to be stored for an extended
period, the bore, chamber and internal working mechanism should be oiled with an
acid-free
lubricating oil or preservative, and the external working mechanisms,
frame and barrel should be
coated with an antirust oil. Before using your
firearm again, be sure to clean it. Every time you
clean your firearm, check it
for signs of wear. If wear is noted, do not use the firearm. Take it to a
qualified gunsmith and have it checked.
If your firearms will be used or stored in a cold
climate, be sure to use an oil which will not
congeal at low temperatures.
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