How to Pick the Right Gun For You

June 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Smith & Wesson Military & Police handgun cha... 

Image via Wikipedia

The first thing to know about owning a gun is that it requires maturity and a deep sense of responsibility. If you have a fantasy that it would be cool to own a .45 semi-automatic handgun, it’s time to get a reality check. Just because you’ve seen the gun fired in a movie doesn’t mean that’s what it’s like to fire one. Before you buy a gun there are a few things you need to do.

Handgun Safety Course

If you’ve never owned a gun, then it is extremely important that you take a gun safety course. You need to know the laws, the proper way to handle a gun, how to clean it, how to store it, and how to fire it.  A qualified instructor needs to teach you. That is the only way to do it. Guns kill if they fall into irresponsible hands. Someone who is inexperienced can make a fatal mistake. Don’t be that someone.

Fire A Variety of Guns Before You Choose

You may discover that a .45 is not right for you. It has a pretty heavy kick, and it is big. Some of the more expensive ones, like the Smith and Wesson M&P, come with interchangeable grips so that you can fit it to your hand size, but not all guns have this feature. Therefore, a 9mm, .38 or even .22 may be better for you.

Practice Shooting

Find a reputable shooting range to target practice. If you can’t practice, don’t get a gun. You need to know how to use it, and you need to feel confident when firing it. Safety always comes first.

 

Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range Tagged With: , ,

5 Basic Tips to Safely Handle Guns

January 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are fan of shooting sports then you might be a regular at using guns. Air guns, rifles, shotguns and countless types of firearms can be quite exciting for the avid sports shooter. However, whether you are a pro at shooting games or a novice, safety is on part of shooting that you just can’t ignore. Even seemingly harmless types of guns can be lethal if not handled appropriately. Now, although all this talk of gun safety might seem intimidating, there are some simple precautions that you can take to ensure better safety levels when you are out for sports shooting. Here are some basic tips that will help you with gun safety:

1. The most basic safety rule is to keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This means it should not be pointed towards people or aimed straight ahead even when no one is in sight. You wouldn’t want to get sued for accidentally shooting someone!

2. Until and unless you are absolutely ready to fire, keep that finger away from the trigger. You can place your fingers on the sides of the gun, outside the trigger guard when you are resting.

3. Don’t keep the gun loaded if you are not ready to use it. Loading barely takes any time so load it only when you are ready to shoot.

4. If you are handing the gun over to someone else, make sure that the gun is not loaded. Also, point the gun towards the ground when passing it on to avoid accidents.

5. Always check your gun before you carry it with you. Make sure that it is not loaded and that it is in good shooting condition. Don’t use a gun if you feel that the trigger is jammed or if there ar any obstructions in the nozzle.

Following these simple tips will go a long way in keeping you as well as others safe around guns.

Filed Under: Shooting Tagged With:

Taking a Course on Gun Safety

December 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The first step a new gun owner should take once a gun is acquired is taking a safety course. Guns are dangerous and safety should be a key issue in ownership of one. Learning gun safety is a good idea not only for the owner but anyone that is around them. The course usually ranges from a couple of hours up to two days to complete. This course can be taken in a group or privately whichever you prefer.

All over the United States courses are offered from the National Rifle Association. There is a course eight hours in length that covers all the information needed about pistols. There is also a rifle course available that is 14 hours. A basic course covers information such as gun safety and shooting. This course will give a comphrensive overview of everything you need to know about guns and is taught by the National Rifle Association. The instructor is the one that will determine how much the class will cost. The price should not be a determining factor in whether to take the class. This is an important class for a gun owner to have. Be sure to check what you need to bring with you before the course .

There are instructors that travel across the country. These instructors not only teach you the basic safety of guns but will teach you what to do if you are threatened by someone with a gun. These classes can run up to $200 a day.

What type of firearm do you choose? Revolvers are owned by some pistol owners while others have a semiautomatic. If you want a rifle, what type do you want? Either way, you need to choose the caliber. You need to pick the one that feels comfortable to you and one that you are able to manage.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Using Proper Firearm Safety

December 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

ContentIf you have firearms in your home you will want to know the best ways to keep them safe. There are a variety of ways to protect your firearms. Below you will find the ways that you can do that.

All firearms should be locked up in a safe designed for a gun or a box that locks. One of the first steps to follow in firearm safety is to keep the gun away from any individuals that do not know how to handle it. When children are in the home all precautions of firearm safety should be taken when finding a place to store the firearm. This should be a place where smaller children are out of reach of the firearm. No key or combination should be within reach of a child when a firearm is stored in a locked area.

Prior to bringing the firearm home it should be unloaded. Only load the firearm when you are at the shooting range or out on the field somewhere. Put the ammunition locked away with the gun. For added safety you could also remove the firing pin.

Any individual that is handling the gun should always treat it as if it is loaded. When handling a gun always check first to see if the gun is loaded. Always point the gun away from another person and in a direction that is safe from others. When you are ready to fire the gun then put your finger on the trigger.

If you are a gun owner for the first time consider taking a gun education class. It may even be a good idea for the whole household to be educated in gun safety. By doing this it may help prevent any accidents from occurring. If you do not feel comfortable owning a gun then consider having a stun gun for protection.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Parents and Guns: Keeping Your Child Safe

December 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Palestinian boy with toy gun in Nazareth by Da...
Image via Wikipedia
Parents and Guns: Keeping Your Child Safe
When a parent brings a child into the world, that person is solely responsible for the safety of the child.  This becomes even more true if the parent has a gun in the home.  A parent who is willing to learn, practice, and teach proper gun safety rules will ensure their child’s safety to a much greater extent than a parent who chooses not to.  Parents must also remember that children have very short-term memories so repetition of safety concepts is key.
Even if there is no gun present in your own home odds are high that your child will encounter a firearm at some point.  There are guns present in approximately one-half of U.S. homes and it is crucial to your child’s safety that he or she know how to respond in the event a firearm is encountered.  Parents should begin gun safety talks as soon as the child begins to show interest in guns, even the toy variety.
There is no specific way to talk to your child about firearms, but simply telling them not to touch the gun is not enough.  Such a statement will likely only stimulate their inherent curiosity.  It is better to be open and honest with your child about the harm and danger involved with guns. If your child owns a toy gun experts advise that you teach the child proper gun handling procedures as a precaution.  A small child may not know the difference between a toy and a genuine firearm if they see one in real life.
Parents should also utilize the NRA’s GunSafe Program.  This program involves four basic steps a child should know should they find a gun.  The child should stop, refrain from touching the fun, leave the area, and tell an adult.  A child familiar with this program could mean the difference between an accident averted and a tragedy.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: General Discussion, Safety Precautions, Shooting Tagged With: , , ,

An Important Lesson in Gun Safety and Ensuring Your Pet is Safe During Gun Firing

November 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Indoor Shooting Range at Sarasota, Florida, US...
Image via Wikipedia

Being around guns can cause a person to become extremely lax on gun safety. People like to assume that gun safety comes naturally and everything just falls into place but that isn’t always the case and here is a perfect example.

Joe went out to a shooting range to take part in a local shooting sports event. He took his beloved friend, Spot the dog with him. As Joe was taking part in the event he let Spot out to run around and play with the other pets. Not paying attention to what was going on Joe kept taking part in the events. Within minutes one of his competitors shot the gun and missed the target. Joe wasn’t paying attention and the stray bullet accidentally hit his dog in the leg. Joe’s dog was okay with the help of some pet insurance claims and a great vet but it made Joe realize just how important gun safety can be.

Although it might seem extreme situations like Joe’s happen all the time. Many competitive shooting events and sports events are attended by the shooter and their pet. Often times in a more casual setting like hunting or casual competitive shooting ranges the pets are allowed to roam around and play. So the possibility of these animals accidentally coming into a stray bullet is fairly high.

It doesn’t happen all the time but it could happen to you. To prevent your pet from being harmed by stray bullets or unsafe gun practice, prevention is the key. Watching where stray bullets go and ensuring that they are not fired around the animals can improve your pet’s chances of not getting hit. Other preventative measures that can be taken include keeping your pet near you, practicing gun safety and other safety measure to make sure your pet doesn’t run into a stray bullet.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Games, Shooting, Sports Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Things to Know: Gun Saftey When it Comes to Competitive Shooting

November 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It is always a good idea when involved with an activity that has the use of a gun or rifle that gun safety be reviewed. Gun can be very dangerous when not properly handled or cared for and can result in a tragic accident. To avoid this type of accident from happening follow some of these gun safety rules and you’ll reduce the risk of anything happening.

Here are some safety tips when it comes to gun safety.

1. Loading your gun. Make sure when loading your gun that you are always pointing the gun away from you and others. In the case of an accidentally discharge this will cause the bullet to head in a direction that will not harm you or the others around you.

2. Lock your guns up. Many people believe that since they have the right to own their guns, they should be allowed to leave them out whenever they like. However, children being children enjoy getting into things that can be dangerous. Lock up your guns to avoid any child from finding them and accidentally firing them. It might be a bit of a hassle to yourself but it can really save a life.

3. Clean your gun regularly. Guns need to be cleaned. The residue from shooting guns can build up over time and cause the gun to backfire when it shouldn’t. Backfire of a gun can cause facial burns, bullets going in wrong directions and a number of other problems. Regularly cleaning your gun can help prevent these types of accidents from happening to you while you are working with your gun.

No one wants an accident to happen with their gun. By following these few safety rules you’ll reduce the risk of something happening to you or your loved ones as you enjoy the sport of competitive shooting.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Shooting, Shooting Range, Sports Tagged With: , ,

The Importance of Gun Safety

November 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Ear defenders and visor on a safety helmet
Image via Wikipedia

If you are interested in shooting guns as a sport, then you should do the responsible thing by taking a gun safety class. Gun safety classes will help you avoid accidents. They can also make you a better marksman by teaching you to focus on the best ways to handle your gun.

Gun Safety Equipment

You can purchase gun safety equipment at most sporting goods stores that keep lots of different items in stock. If the store has triathlon gear and sports equipment, then they will probably have some gun safety products as well. There are three important gun safety products that you simply must have before you can consider yourself a prepared marksman: glasses, vests and ear muffs.

The glasses are important for at least two reasons. They keep the sun out of your eyes so that you can see clearly. They also protect your eyes from shells that might come out of the gun improperly. Vests should have bright neon colors and reflective tape on them. This will make you highly visible to other shooters in the area. That way, they don’t mistake you for a deer or other type of game.

Although you might not want to use ear muffs while hunting game, you should use them during practice. Ear muffs protect your ears from the damage caused by loud sounds.

Finding a Gun Safety Class

Once you have the right gun safety equipment, you are ready for a class that will teach you the best ways to use your gun safely. The National Rifle Association’s website has a list of NRA certified instructors. You can use this list to find an instructor in your area. You can also get information from your local police or sheriff department, many of which encourage gun owners to take safety classes

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Games, General Discussion Tagged With: , , , , , , ,