Firearms Safety

Firearms Safety

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Children & Firearms Safety

American Derringer's General
Firearms & Hunting Safety Rules

There is no such thing as an "unloaded" gun.
The most dangerous gun is the one you haven't personally checked.
Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction.
Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
Always wear ear and eye protection when firing a gun, whether on the range or in the field.
Always check three times to see if a firearm is unloaded, then check again.
Pass or accept only open and unloaded firearms.
Always keep firearms secured from children.
If you own a bolt action or a semi-auto rifle, lock the bolt and ammunition in a separate place.
Store firearms in an unloaded condition.
Either use specialty gun locks or a safe to secure firearms.
Make sure nothing is obstructing the barrel of a firearm before shooting.
Always unload a firearm before leaving a shooting area.
Never carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle unless you are carrying one for self-defense, in which case it must be legal to do so in your state or municipality. If this is the case, your firearm should be secured with safety on in a holster, case or other conveyance so that it cannot accidentally fire.
Do not carry or discharge a firearm while intoxicated or while on medication.
Never lean a firearm against a vehicle or wall where it can accidentally fall and discharge.
Don't rely on safety catches alone. They can wear and break over a period of time.
Never hop a fence or hedge with a loaded firearm.
Never jump a stream or walk over slippery rocks with a loaded firearm.
Always thoroughly check a firearm before cleaning and disassembly.
Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations or owner's manual when disassembling a firearm.
Keep flammable cleaning fluids away from open flame or heat source. Make sure your cleaning area is well-ventilated.
Don't wear clothing that will catch or interfere with the operation of your firearm.
Don't use a holster or sling that will interfere with the operation of your firearm or cause a dangerous carrying situation.
When loading black powder, always use a measure.
Never smoke while loading a black powder firearm.
Always put the cap on last after loading a percussion firearm.
Never fire a black powder firearm near exposed black powder or open black powder containers.
Always make sure you use a patch or grease the chambers of a black powder revolver to prevent multiple discharges.
Never fire smokeless powder from a muzzleloader.
Never mix smokeless powders with each other or with black powder.
Never put black or smokeless powder in unmarked containers. Keep it in the original containers.
Always store black and smokeless powder in a cool dry place.
When reloading, always follow a recognized, well-established reloading manual and never exceed recommendations.
Always check the condition of metallic cartridge casings and plastic shotgun shell hulls before reloading.
Always store primers in a cool dry place and never directly handle them as moisture and oils will interfere with their proper function and cause misfires.
In case of misfire, always point the firearm in a safe direction and follow the procedures recommended in the gun's owner's manual.
Fire only the caliber or gauge ammunition that is marked on the firearm.
Never fire ammunition that is marked different than the box or container it is in.