Gun Safety Tips: Precautions To Stay Safe At A Gun Range

Whether you are a first-timer or a pro shooter, gun safety is a must at and off the gun range in Florida. A moment of distraction is enough for the barrel to fire and hurt or even kill someone. This isn’t to say that you should not go for target practice at all. Just that when you do, you must follow the safety tips given below. In fact, at many ranges, not following the given rules might have you blacklisted from the place even if no one gets hurt. To enjoy a safe and thrilling target practice at the shooting range, follow the safety tips given below:

Wear Eye & Ear Protection

A gun range in Florida will generally provide you with some protective gear for your eyes and ears. If yours doesn’t, get yourself some shooting glasses and earplugs. Even the most silent guns can create loud noises when they fire which can damage your hearing thus the need for earplugs. Shooting glasses prevent debris from skeets, sparks from bullets, twigs from branches, dust, etc. from getting into and damaging your eyes. These glasses should also be worn when doing some maintenance on the gun to avoid solvents and spring parts from coming in contact with your eyes.

Point Gun Away

This is the most basic safety rule when you are holding a gun. The muzzle should always be pointed away from people or objects it can ricochet off. During target practice, it should only be pointed at the target. Once you are done with your targets, point your muzzle down to the ground. This will prevent any injuries in case the trigger goes off without warning. Never ever point it at others even jokingly, even if the barrel is unloaded. This might cause other shooters to panic and accidentally pull their triggers. You should definitely keep the muzzle away from your face.

Keep Safety On

The gun’s safety mechanism must always stay on until you begin firing. Make sure that your safety switch is pointing all the way towards on and not halfway between on and off. A switch only halfway to on can still fire. And just because your safety is on does not mean your gun is safe. Your safety might malfunction unpredictably due to a strong blow or other factors causing it to misfire. So stay vigilant when you hold the gun and keep it pointed away from people.

Unload When Not In Use

The only time your gun needs to be loaded is when you are at the range. At other times, the gun must always be unloaded. When you aren’t using your gun, you need to keep it and its ammunition in a secure place away from each other. They should be placed somewhere safe and away from the reach of curious children. Placing them loaded, even with the safety on, can be very dangerous. You should unload it immediately after exiting the range and before leaving the premises to prevent misfires during your drive back home.

Maintain It

A gun has a complex mechanism and needs proper maintenance to ensure that it works without a hitch. You can check with your manufacturer about the proper maintenance procedure and repair services. The barrel needs special attention because anything obstructing it can cause it to bulge, misfire or even explode. Use a cleaning rod to clear the barrel of any snow, mud, etc. Also, don’t use oil in excess amount, be sure to wipe the parts once you are done polishing them.

Don’t Modify

The complex mechanism does not leave room for customization because the guns were designed the way they are to function properly. Any modifications can void any warranties you may have and put you and your loved ones at risk. If you do need a modification, refer to your manufacturer or a serviceman certified by them.

By taking these precautions, you can avoid any mishaps before, during or after your visit to a shooting range.