The 5 Rules

• 1. Do Not Attempt to Modify Your Rifle
• 2. Know the Different Kinds of Rifles
• 3. Use a Rifle Sling
• 4. Store and Care for Your Rifle Properly
• 5. Only Fire Rifles in Safe Areas

Although all gun owners have a moral obligation to practice proper gun safety, the truth is that no two gun owners are exactly alike. Different gun owners have different needs and goals that dictate that they own different, specific guns designed to satisfy those needs and goals. One of the most popular kinds of firearms that many gun owners own and utilize is the rifle. One of the most popular kinds of guns in the world, the rifle has been celebrated by gun enthusiasts around the world ever since it was developed in the 18th and 19th century. Designed to be fired from the shoulder, rifles are distinctive in that the barrel of the rifle has “rifling”, or grooves, cut into its inner walls, creating a spin on ammunition when fired that improves the accuracy of firing over distances.

Rifles – Dangerously Effective

Used for hunting and recreational shooting, as well as in militaries the world over, modern rifles like the M16 rifle and AK47, are capable of firing more than one round per trigger pull, although most societies have outlawed civilian ownership of guns with such capabilities. Featured in movies and video games which depict warfare and gun fighting, rifles are one of the deadliest firearms ever created. Though they are effective and downright satisfying to fire, gun enthusiasts need to make sure that they know what they’re doing before firing one, and that means making sure they know how to fire and carry a rifle safely. Rifle owners should follow the same general rules which apply to all sorts of guns, as detailed in our 15 Universal Gun Safety Rules feature, but they should also follow certain guidelines that apply only to rifles and their specific makeup – which we will detail as follows, in our 5 Rules of Rifle Safety!

5 Proper Safety Practices For Rifles

1. Do Not Attempt to Modify Your Rifle

It’s easy to understand the appeal in firing a fully automatic rifle. Fully automatic firearms are guns which fire continuously while the trigger is being held down, or until the ammunition in the weapon has been exhausted. Having had the opportunity to experience this kind of shooting while serving in the United States military, as well as recreationally, I can attest to the fact that fully automatic rifles are a different beast – a different kind of shooting experience. However, that doesn’t mean that laws which prohibit the ownership and use of these kinds of guns are in place for no reason – on the contrary, they are in place because automatic guns are the deadliest kind one can own. Therefore, it’s important to never attempt to illegally modify your rifle for the sake of making it fully automatic, like they feature in movies and television. Pursue fully automatic firing in a legal capacity – in addition to the dangers that come with owning a fully automatic weapon, there is every chance that your modification efforts will go awry, especially if you’re not a professional.

2. Know the Different Kinds of Rifles

There are a number of different kinds of rifles, and it’s important to be aware of their distinctions and differences for the sake of safe handling. The most common kinds of rifles break down as follows: Bolt-Action Rifles, which require the owner to open and close the breech of the gun manually in order to eject the used casing and load a new one. Lever-Action Rifles, which use a level near the trigger guard to load new cartridges into the barrel chamber when the level is engaged – these kinds of rifles were commonly featured in Westerns and other 20th century films. Lastly there are Semi-Automatic Rifles, like the Ruger 10/20, which fire once each time the trigger is pulled as well as automatically eject and chamber a new cartridge. Modern semi-automatic rifles are made efficiently and with lightweight synthetics which make them as deadly as they are easy to use. Understanding the differences between the different kinds of rifles ensures that you will not make any mistakes based on lack of rifle-knowledge, ensuring proper rifle safety.

3. Use a Rifle Sling

Designed to ease the burden of carrying your rifle, as well as to aid in shooting, rifle slings exist to make the life of a rifle owner just a little bit easier. Firstly, in terms of carrying, a rifle sling can not only ease the annoyances associated with carrying a larger, heavier firearm like a rifle with your hands, it can ensure sounder rifle safety. If your hands are free and not gripping the firearm around the trigger or barrel when carrying the gun, there is less of a chance for something to go wrong. Secondly, in terms of shooting, a sling can ensure better accuracy and easier shooting by adding stability to the shooter. The more stable the shooter can fire a gun, the less likely the shooter is to shoot unsafely, or inaccurately, based on a lack of comfort and stability while shooting.

4.  Store and Care for Your Rifle Properly

Unless needed and intended for self-defense purposes, it’s always a good idea to disassemble your rifle in between use for the sake of lowering risk and maximizing safety. This will also help to prevent from the gun rusting or deteriorating in quality based on age, wear, and tear. The first step in disassembling your rifle is to unload the weapon, or make sure that the chamber and magazine are fully clear. Secondly, the rifle rear takedown pin should be removed, allowing for inner access. You should then pull the charging handle, remove the bolt carrier assembly, and remove the charging handle. Clean your parts regularly to ensure that the gun doesn’t suffer from dirt build up or degeneration which could lead to malfunction. Store the different parts of the gun, including and especially the ammunition, in different places if possible, and make sure that your rifle is stored in a secure safe, gun cabinet, or location.

5. Only Fire Rifles in Safe Areas

Goes without saying, right? Wrong! The distances at which rifle ammunition can travel makes it absolutely essential that you, the shooter, be fully aware of what is located behind your target, whether you’re at the range, at a private property, or in another designated firing area. As a point of reference, when dealing with sniper rifles like the Barrett 50 Cal, ammunition has an effective range of roughly 1.2 miles, along with an actual range of 4.2 miles! Never shoot at something unless you know what’s behind it, and make sure that inaccurate shooting is not an unsafe undertaking in your location with your rifle.

Bonus. Always Review General Gun Safety: While we have covered the absolutely vital elements of rifle safety in this feature, it’s always important to remember that there is fundamental gun safety that needs to be remembered and exercised when using any kind of firearm! Whether handling a Glock 19 or Kel Tec KSG, All-purpose gun safety is universally applicable to gun use of any kind. Therefore, it’s important to never forget tips such as to always treat the gun as if it’s loaded, always keep your gun pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger unless firing, wear proper protection for your ears, eyes, and otherwise, learn all that there is to know about your gun, etc.

Well, there you have it! Review these rules of rifle and gun safety and you should have no trouble at all keeping safe while enjoying the all-American pastime of rifle shooting. Just keep in mind when shooting and carrying that there’s no such thing as being too safe; protecting yourself and your loved ones, as well as others, is always priority-one. Safety first!

Thank you for reading, and be sure to read our feature on the Rules of Proper Shotgun Safety! Check back for more gun and gun safety features here at Gunivore!

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The 7 Rules

• 1. Slip
• 2. Shot May Travel Further than Intended
• 3. Out of Slip Carrying
• 4. Crossing Obstacles with a Shotgun
• 5. Travelling with the Breach Open
• 6. Never Mix Different Gauge Ammunition
• 7. Never Forget General Gun Safety

Gun safety is the number one subject for gun owners and gun enthusiasts to familiarize themselves with. It is the most important subject in the world of guns because, quite simply, being well versed in gun safety can save your life and the lives of others. We covered the most important rules of shotgun safety and overall firearm responsibility in our gun safety rules feature, and we highly advise that any responsible gun owner review the rules in full. However, different guns do in fact require different safety measure, as different guns’ function differently and serve different purposes, while also coming in different forms, shapes, and sizes. Shotguns in particular are one of the most unique and specialized kinds of guns, and as such come with their own safety features, concerns, and considerations.

A shotgun, in a vacuum, is a firearm that is designed to be fired from the shoulder, and rather than firing one bullet, fires a number of small pieces of pellet called shot, or sometimes one solid bullet-like piece of ammunition called a slug. Although they do come in different shapes and sized, shotguns usually feature a smoothbore barrel, meaning that the inside of the barrel is not rifled. Overall, there are a number of distinctive difference in shotguns as compared to other guns that relates to gun safety. We will highlight the top ones here in our rules of proper shotgun safety:

7 Rules For Safe Shotgun Handling

1. 1. 

      Slip

      One of the most distinctive difference in shotguns as compared to other guns, and especially handguns such as the Glock 19, is the prevalence of shotguns being carried in a ‘slip’. Shotguns are on the larger side in terms of length and weight as far as firearms are concerned, and as such, a slip, or portable case, is usually utilized to help carry the shotgun when not in use. It’s important to remember that in order to prevent a shotgun from falling out of its slip, the barrels should be kept down and the stock up when it is being carried over your shoulder. Additionally, a shotgun should be opened before it’s taken out of its slip in order to make sure it is not loaded. Also, always make sure to check that the barrels are clear while the gun is pointed in a safe direction – never under any circumstances point the barrel end of the slip at anyone!

• Shot May Travel Further than IntendedOne of the strongest characteristics of a shotgun is that ammunition, or shot, fired from a shotgun generally does not travel very far. Shotguns certainly have far less range than that of a handgun, rifle, or most other kinds of firearms. However, with that being said, it is not a good idea to underestimate the range of your shotgun fire. Never assume that because you’re using a shotgun, people who are a certain distance away from your firing are necessarily safe. Always make sure that there is no possibility of any person coming even close to your gunfire when recreationally shooting or hunting.

• 

  Out of Slip Carrying

  When carrying your shotgun out of the slip (if you’re missing a slip or preparing to shoot), make sure to carry it unloaded, broken, and over the crook of the arm – not slung over your shoulder or in any other way. Never under any circumstances rest the muzzle on your feet or any other body part. Always make sure to pass the shotgun stock first, and only after making sure that the firearm is unloaded.

• Crossing Obstacles with a ShotgunWhen travelling with a shotgun, if you encounter an obstacle that needs to be crossed, you always need to make sure that you break the gun and remove the cartridges before closing the gun against or through the obstacle to ensure that it will not fall. Retrieve the shotgun after clearing the obstacle using proper muzzle awareness. If clearing an obstacle with a friend, make sure both guns are broken and unloaded and held by one person while the other clears the obstacle. The guns should then be passed to the other friend while the remaining friend clears the obstacle.

• Travel with the Breach OpenWhen carrying the gun, always travel with the breach open in order to make sure that there is not a shell in the gun ready to fire. One needs to be sure at all times whether or not the gun is loaded, and leaving the breach open helps make that step a lot easier. This is easily one of the most overlooked rules of shotgun safety.
• Never Mix Different Gauge Ammunition
  Shotgun shells come in different forms and gauges. From bird shot to slugs  it is enjoyable to try to see what kind of impact different shells can have when shooting. It’s important to know what gauge ammo your shotgun is made for. For instance you don’t want to put a 12 gauge shell in a 20 gauge shotgun. The outcome can lead to a danger for you and your gun. Always make sure you’re using ammunition that is compatible with your firearm and never load two different types of shells into the same barrel. It’s unknown what kind of negative effects doing so can have on your firearm, and it is certainly not worth the risk. ( It should be noted that shotguns like the Kel Tec KSG are manufactured to allow you to put a different shell in each barrel but this isn’t the case for all shotguns)

• 

  Never Forget General Gun Safety

  Lastly, it’s vital to remember your general, all-purpose gun safety when carrying and operating a shotgun. This means that you should always treat the gun like it’s loaded, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger unless shooting, wear proper ear and eye protection, keep your safety on, always store your guns properly, and keep your gun unloaded when not in use. Additionally, make sure you learn all that there is to know about your shotgun in order to make sure you are taking all of the precautions possible – it’s important to remember that additional safety measures are never excessive when it comes to gun safety, as safety always comes first!

In Conclusion

Follow these rules of shotgun safety and you should have no trouble at all keeping safe with your favorite shotgun! Again, be sure to check out our top rules of gun safety and be on the lookout for our rules of rifle safety feature, too.

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• Rule 1: Always treat the gun like it’s loaded
• Rule 2: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
• Rule 3: Always keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
• Rule 4: Always be aware of your target and what is behind it
• Rule 5: Never modify or alter your gun
• Rule 6: Always learn the proper mechanics and operation of your firearm
• Rule 7: Always wear proper protection when shooting
• Rule 8: Always use proper ammunition
• Rule 9: Never rely fully on the firearm’s safety
• Rule 10: Always keep the gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it
• Rule 11: Always properly store your guns
• Rule 12: Never use guns while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Rule 13: Always make sure the gun features no obstructions
• Rule 14: Teach children the importance of gun safety
• Rule 15: A gun is not a toy

Here at Gunivore we think there’s a lot to like about guns, and a lot of good reasons to own a gun. From protection, to recreational shooting, to the honoring of the 2nd Amendment, different people own guns for different reasons, none of which are mutually exclusive. Guns can bring family generations closer together and help keep your loved ones safe, but that doesn’t mean that owning a gun is all smooth-sailing. As people can derive via common sense, or as you’ll learn when watching virtually any modern news broadcast, guns do present a danger. Regardless of which side of the gun control issue you find yourself on, that’s a reality that can’t be denied. However, that doesn’t mean that this intangible danger can’t be dealt with accordingly, or the risks associated with firearms heavily diminished through the practicing of proper gun safety.

Practicing Proper Gun Safety Is Integral

Gun safety is the most important subject that there is when it comes to owning and operating a firearm. There are few precautions that can be taken that could be deemed excessive when attempting to mute the dangers of owning a gun, regardless of the circumstances. With that being said, no two situations are exactly alike, and what is a necessary precaution for some may not be so for others. Some people live alone, some have children, and some live with mentally ill family members – there are many factors to consider when weighing your regular gun safety practices. Still, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a number of baseline, rule of thumb guidelines that all gun owners should adhere to in the interests of safety. Anyone who owns and operates a firearm is going to have circumstances to read and react to that are similar to those of other gun owners, by definition. Ultimately, a gun is always going to be a dangerous object that discharges projectiles at a rapid rate, regardless of other differences that might exist. Keeping that in mind, we would like to present our 15 universal gun safety rules that anyone and everyone can familiarize themselves with for the betterment of their safety:

15 Universal Gun Safety Rules

Rule 1: Always treat the gun like it’s loaded

This is a good general mindset to have whenever operating or holding firearms, no matter the conditions. The logic behind this rule is that someone should never be doing anything with the gun that they wouldn’t otherwise be doing if the gun was loaded. This includes pulling the trigger, tossing the gun, storing it improperly, etc. Additionally, never rely on the word of others when determining whether or not the gun is loaded. If someone hands you a gun and tells you that it’s not loaded, confirm it for yourself before acting accordingly. There’s no reason not to take this precaution when dealing with gun dangers – it’s an easy step towards safety and peace of mind.

Rule 2: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

This is more of a common sense rule than anything else, but it still needs to be listed. Unfortunately, too many folks see movies and television material that glorify the pointing of guns at others, and try to emulate these programs – even in a joking manner, this is dangerous. Unfortunately, this has led to tragic results in the past – you never know when your finger might slip or when a firearm may discharge of its own accord. These are real risks to deal with when holding a firearm, and for the sake of safety, a gun should never be pointed unnecessarily in an unsafe direction.

Rule 3: Always keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot

Again this is something that needs to be drilled home to shooters from the first time that they pick up a gun. There are too many different unpredictable events that could lead to an unwanted squeeze of the trigger, and as such you’re better off keeping your finger off of it altogether unless you’re actually preparing to shoot or shooting.

Rule 4: Always be aware of your target and what is behind it

We should really label this one the “Dick Cheney Rule”, although it’s a rule that responsible gun owners have been abiding by since the first gun was manufactured. In 2006, then U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney went on a quail hunt with his friend Harry Whittington. Well, long story short, Cheney fired his 28-gauge shotgun at what he believed to be a bird and ended up hitting Whittington, who suffered from severe injuries as a result of the incident including a collapsed lung and a heart attack. Whittington would luckily come to fully recover, but the negligence shown by Cheney cannot be understated – you must always be fully aware of not only your surroundings, but the surroundings of your target. This includes shooting at a range or at targets in a field – proper gun safety means being aware of what surrounds your target at all times.

Rule 5: Never modify or alter your gun

Gun manipulation and alteration is never a good idea. Attempted modifications to computers have burned down homes in the past – taking risks with a firearm is never a good idea, and that goes for anyone, from novice to expert. Even a gun expert may not be fully familiar with the specifications of the firearm that they’d like to modify, making it a risky proposition to begin altering a model that they themselves did not develop. Any number of problems or errors could come about as a result of attempted gun modification, and as a result it’s a pursuit that gun owners should always steer clear of.

Rule 6: Always learn the proper mechanics and operation of your firearm

Not dissimilar to Rule 5, even for experts, this is an important rule to follow. No two guns are exactly alike and although you may think that you’re capable of diving in to any new firearm – this is not necessarily the case. Advances, alterations and adjustments are made to each and every new firearm, and learning the specifics of them isn’t a particularly long or labor-intensive process. Take the time to learn the ins-and-outs of any firearm that you’re going to be handling and you will be glad you did.

Rule 7: Always wear proper protection when shooting

Unlike most of these rules, wearing protection isn’t necessarily only intended to provide immediate protection – this is important in terms of protecting the gun owner in the long-term as well. Prolonged and consistent exposure to noises that feature unsafe decibel levels can lead to permanent hearing loss in life, even from a young age if the exposure is severe enough. At the age of 65, one in three Americans is already suffering from hearing loss – regardless of whether or not they had been exposed to gun fire in their lives. In other words, you’re already at risk for hearing loss – neglecting your ears can only serve to increase that risk. Make sure that you’re always wearing hearing and eye protection whenever shooting to not only protect from on-the-spot problems, but to for the sake of preserving your hearing in the later in life as well.

Rule 8: Always use proper ammunition

There’s a reason that specific bullets and ammunition are intended to be paired with specific firearms. They were made to be compatible and to function together. As simple as this rule is, it’s quite remarkable how many people choose to ignore it for whatever reason. Imagine for a moment that you load a handgun with a bullet that was not designed to fit through a narrow barrel. If you fire that weapon, the bullet will hit the end of the barrel with force, yet see its passage blocked, the pressure from which will blow up the gun. It probably doesn’t need to be clarified why that would be a dangerous thing.

Rule 9: Never rely fully on the firearm’s safety

Gun’s aren’t perfect, and a gun safety isn’t a mortal lock to not malfunction. With this in mind, it’s always a good idea to treat the gun as if the safety is off, even though it’s on. In other words, the safety being engaged doesn’t mean that you can start pointing the gun wherever you’d like and begin violating all of the rest of the rules on this list. It’s a helpful tool, a gun safety, but it doesn’t render your firearm assuredly safe – always be vigilant when handling your gun.

Rule 10: Always keep the gun unloaded until you’re ready to use it

There isn’t any reason to have ammunition in your weapon if you’re not firing it, and not wanting to have to go through the trouble of loading and unloading the gun is a lazy excuse. You never know what could engage the gun or whose hands it could fall into, and for those reasons alone it is always best to err on the side of caution and only load the gun when you are actually intending to shoot it.

Rule 11: Always properly store your guns

Your gun doesn’t stop being dangerous when it isn’t on your person. If anything, the gun is potentially in an even more precarious state when out of the hands of an experienced, educated gunman and left on its own where it can be found by anyone. It’s for this reason that an imperative aspect of gun safety is making sure that your guns are both locked up and placed in a safe spot. Gun locks, locked drawers, locked gun cabinets – there are a number of versatile options to consider when weighing how to lock up your firearm, but just so long as the gun is in fact safely stored when not in use, you are doing your part to keep yourself and others safe.

Rule 12: Never use guns while under the influence of alcohol or drugs

It’s illegal to operate a vehicle when under the influence of alcohol, regardless of the speed that the car is traveling at. Now, think of how fast a bullet travels, and ask yourself if it’s a good idea to operate a firearm when alcohol is in your system. Firearms should only be handled with a clear and organized mind, and alcohol most certainly can inhibit someone’s ability to think critically and clearly. It should go without saying that guns should never even be a consideration when alcohol is a factor.

Rule 13: Always make sure the gun features no obstructions

Pick up your gun, check the chamber and any other crevices it features, and make sure there is nothing lodged in the weapon that might disrupt your shooting. In the same vein of being aware of your surroundings as well as your target’s surroundings, you should be aware of what is going on in and around your gun. Make sure that your gun is clear and ready for use before firing.

Rule 14: Teach children the importance of gun safety

It’s up to a parents’ discretion whether or not they want to introduce their children to guns from a young age or not. What every parent needs to be aware of, regardless of the exact age that they introduce children to guns, is that the gravity and seriousness of operating a firearm needs to be instilled from day one. Children lack the same seriousness and understanding that adults do, which is why they need the adults in their life to help them understand the importance of gun safety. Teaching these lessons from a young age will help to deeply instill them as well, and ensure a lifetime of proper, safe gun use.

Rule 15: A gun is not a toy

This rule essentially encompasses all of the others within it, as it expresses the underlying sentiment in all of the rules – Take. Guns. Seriously. This can’t be overstated or stressed enough. The bottom line is, a gun is a serious and deadly machine that has the potential to cause serious harm. Anyone who is using a gun needs to recognize this and act accordingly, making sure that every precaution is taken and every safety measure undergone.

If you practice proper gun safety, and you never experience an event that happens as a result of negligence, you’re doing it right. This isn’t a sign that your safety precautions are over the top, it’s an indicator that the safety measures you’re taking are in fact working. Regardless of how safe things may seem, and regardless of your specific circumstances, always abide by the rules and principles expressed in this list. If everyone does, we can be sure that it’ll make for a much safer gun community.

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