Cardinal Rules on Gun Safety

1. CARDINAL RULES OF GUN SAFETY
AL RAJIV A. CARIM
GUN SAFETY

2. WHAT IS GUN SAFETY?
 A COLLECTION OF RULES AND
RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAN BE APPLIED
WHEN POSSESSING, STORING AND/OR
HANDLING OF FIREARMS.

3. PURPOSE OF GUN SAFETY?
 THE PURPOSE OF GUN SAFETY IS TO
ELIMINATE OR MINIMIZE THE RISK OF
UNINTENTIONAL DEATH, INJURY OR DAMAGE
CAUSED BY IMPROPER POSSESSION,
STORAGE, OR HANDLING OF FIREARM.

4. CARDINAL RULES OF GUN
SAFETY
 ALWAYS TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY
WERE LOADED.
 NEVER ALLOW THE MUZZLE OF ANY
FIREARM TO POINT AT ANYTHING YOU ARE
NOT WILLING TO DESTROY.
 NEVER PUT YOUR FINGER NEAR THE
TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.
DO NOT DEPEND ON ANY MECHANICAL
DEVICE FOR SAFETY!
 ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET, AND
WHAT IS BEHIND AND IN FRONT OF IT.

5. ALWAYS TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS
IF THEY WERE LOADED
 EVERY TIME A GUN IS HANDLED FOR ANY
REASON, CHECK TO SEE THAT IT IS
UNLOADED. FOR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
ON HOW TO UNLOAD A HANDGUN. IF YOU
ARE UNABLE TO CHECK A GUN TO SEE IF IT
IS UNLOADED, LEAVE IT ALONE AND SEEK
HELP FROM SOMEONE MORE
KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT GUNS.

6. NEVER ALLOW THE MUZZLE OF ANY FIREARM
TO POINT AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING
TO DESTROY
ALWAYS BE AWARE WHERE THE GUN IS
POINTING. A “SAFE DIRECTION” IS ONE
WHERE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE OF THE
GUN WILL NOT CAUSE INJURY OR DAMAGE.
 ONLY POINT A GUN AT AN OBJECT THAT YOU
INTEND TO SHOOT OR DESTROY
 NEVER POINT A GUN TOWARD YOURSELF
OR ANOTHER PERSON

7. NEVER PUT YOUR FINGER NEAR THE
TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO
FIRE
 ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER
AND OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD UNTIL YOU
ARE READY TO SHOOT.
 EVEN THOUGH IT MAYBE COMFORTABLE TO
REST YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER, IT ALSO
IS UNSAFE.
 IF YOU ARE MOVING AROUND WITH YOUR
FINGER ON THE TRIGGER AND STUMBLE OR
FALL, YOU COULD INADVERTENTLY PULL THE
TRIGGER.
 SUDDEN LOUD NOISES OR MOVEMENTS CAN
RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE
BECAUSE THERE IS A NATURAL TENDENCY TO
TIGHTEN THE MUSCLES WHEN STARTLED.
 THE TRIGGER IS FOR FIRING, THE HANDLE IS
FOR HANDLING.

8. ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET,
AND WHAT IS BEHIND AND IN FRONT
OF IT
 CHECK THAT THE AREAS IN FRONT OF AND
BEHIND YOUR TARGET ARE SAFE BEFORE
SHOOTING.
 BE AWARE THAT IF THE BULLET MISSES OR
COMPLETELY PASSES THROUGH THE TARGET, IT
COULD STRIKE A PERSON OR OBJECT.
 IDENTIFY THE TARGET AND MAKE SURE IT IS
WHAT YOU INTEND TO SHOOT. IF YOU ARE IN
DOUBT, DON’T SHOOT!
 NEVER FIRE AT A TARGET THAT IS ONLY A
MOVEMENT, COLOR, SOUND OR UNIDENTIFIED
SHAPE. BE AWARE OF ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND
YOU BEFORE YOU SHOOT.

9. THANK YOU!
KNOWLEDGE IS SAFETY ^_^