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Handgun Safety
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NRA Gun Safety Rules
The fundamental NRA rules (nrahq.org/education/guide.asp) for safe gun handling are:
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ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. -
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger. -
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
When using or storing a gun, always follow these NRA rules:
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Know your target and what is beyond.
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second. -
Know how to use the gun safely.
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun's mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling. -
Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun's general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun's ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it. -
Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition. -
Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate.
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators. -
Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns. -
Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person's particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules. -
Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
Gun Cleaning
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Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used.
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A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.
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Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
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Smith & Wesson Safety Information
Product Safety Information
ref: www.smith-wesson.com
Five Basic Handgun Safety Rules
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Always keep your firearm pointed in a safe direction.
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Treat ALL firearms as if they were loaded.
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Keep your trigger finger outside the trigger guard and off of the trigger until you are ready to fire.
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Be certain of your target, your line of fire, and what lies beyond your target.
Always wear appropriate eye and ear protection when shooting and maintaining
your firearm.
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Safe and secure storage of your firearm is one of your most important
responsibilities. It is a full-time responsibility. You must always secure
your firearm and ammunition separately so that they are not accessible to
children or other unauthorized persons.
Whenever your firearm is not in use, keep it unloaded and locked. Your
safety and the safety of others requires that you always secure and store
your firearm in a manner that will prevent unauthorized access. Never leave
a firearm unattended unless it is unloaded, locked and secured.
Please review the Safe Storage & Transportation section at the bottom of
this page for more information about safe storage practices.
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FIREARM SAFETY, OPERATION & MAINTENANCE
SAFETY IS YOUR NUMBER ONE RESPONSIBILITY!
At home, in the field, at the range, or anywhere, the first concern of every
firearm owner should be safety. Before handling any firearm, understand its
operation and familiarize yourself with its mechanical features. If you feel
uncertain about any operational aspects of your Smith & Wesson firearm,
please contact Smith & Wesson at 1-800-331-0852, ext. 2905, before
proceeding with its operation. Never allow a firearm to be used by
individuals who do not understand its safe operation or who have not read
these firearm safety rules.
As a firearm owner, you accept a demanding responsibility. How serious you
take this responsibility can be the difference between life and death. There
is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of your firearm. At all times
handle your firearm with intense respect for its power and potential danger.
Firearms are dangerous and can cause serious injury or death if they are
misused or used inappropriately. Appropriate use of your firearm means using
your firearm for legal purposes. For example: target shooting, hunting, and
lawful resistance of deadly criminal force. Safety must be the prime
consideration of anyone who owns, handles or uses firearms. Accidents are
the result of violating the rules of safe firearm handling and common sense.
Firearm safety training is available. Contact your firearms dealer, law
enforcement agency, local sportsman's club, etc. for availability.
Apply the following safety rules in every situation, with any kind of
firearm:
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
Never point a firearm at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot
whether or not it is loaded. This is particularly important when loading,
unloading, or
field stripping the firearm. ALWAYS control the direction of
the firearm.
ALWAYS TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED AND WILL FIRE.
Do not take anyone's word that the firearm is unloaded - always check for
yourself. Never pass your firearm to another person until the cylinder or
action is open and you visually check that it is unloaded. Keep your firearm
unloaded and safely stored when not in use.
NEVER PLACE YOUR FINGER INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD OR ON THE TRIGGER UNLESS
YOU INTEND TO FIRE.
You should also take care to ensure that other objects do not touch the
trigger.
ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT.
Always be sure of where the bullet will strike and shoot only where there is
a safe back stop free of obstructions, water or other surfaces which can
cause ricochets. Be sure your bullet will stop behind your target. Bullets
can glance off many surfaces like rocks or the surface of water and travel
in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity. Do not fire randomly
into the sky.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTORS SPECIFIED FOR USE WITH FIREARMS.
Wear eye protection that is specified for use with firearms every time you
handle your firearm for cleaning and maintenance. Wear eye and ear
protection specified for use with firearms every time you discharge your
firearm. Make sure others in the vicinity of where you will be shooting do
so as well.
NEVER RELY ON MECHANICAL FEATURES OF THE FIREARM ALONE.
Only your safe firearm-handling habits will ensure the safe use of your
firearm. This is your responsibility.
NEVER CROSS OBSTACLES SUCH AS FENCES OR STREAMS WITH A LOADED FIREARM.
Always make certain your firearm is unloaded before crossing a fence,
climbing a tree, jumping a ditch or negotiating other obstacles.
NEVER USE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE SHOOTING.
Further, do not use your firearm if you are on any medication which impairs,
even slightly, your mental or physical ability.
ALWAYS HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or
handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances
known to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical
injury. Review the warnings and labels for all ammunition and cleaning
products carefully. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION FOR YOUR PARTICULAR FIREARM.
Never use non-standard, reloaded, or "handloaded" ammunition which has not
been subjected to internal ballistic pressure testing.
BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS.
Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. Mud, water,
snow or other objects may inadvertently lodge in the barrel bore. A small
obstruction can cause a dangerous increase in pressure and may damage your
firearm and cause injury to yourself and others.
BE SURE ALL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS HOLSTERS. GRIPS, SLINGS, SCOPES AND OTHER
ACCESSORIES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR PARTICULAR FIREARM AND THAT THE
ACCESSORIES DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ITS SAFE OPERATION.
It is your responsibility to understand and follow all of the instructions
in the safety manual that accompanied your firearm, as well as those which
may be supplied with your ammunition and any accessory.
NEVER DISASSEMBLE YOUR FIREARM BEYOND THE FIELD STRIPPING PROCEDURE OUTLINED
IN THE MANUAL THAT ACCOMPANIED YOUR FIREARM.
Improper disassembly or reassembly of your firearm may be dangerous and can
lead to serious injury or death.
NEVER MANIPULATE, ADJUST OR CHANGE ANY OF THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR
FIREARM UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO IN THE MANUAL THAT
ACCOMPANIED YOUR FIREARM.
Improper manipulation of any other internal component may affect the safety
and reliability of your firearm and may cause serious injury or death.
NEVER ALLOW ANY ALTERATION OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS IN YOUR FIREARM UNLESS
PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED GUNSMITH USING AUTHORIZED PARTS.
If you do otherwise, improper functioning of your firearm may occur and
serious injury or death and damage to property may result.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE USE
Before using your firearm for the first time, it should be cleaned. See the
cleaning instructions that accompanied your particular firearm. Your firearm
was treated at the factory with either a preservative or oil to protect it
against corrosion during shipping and storage. Preservative and oil should
be wiped from the bore, chamber and exposed areas using a clean swab or
patch before using the firearm.
Purchase cleaning supplies from your firearms dealer that are specifically
designated for your type and caliber of firearm. Many suppliers offer these
in kit form for your convenience. Follow the instructions provided with your
cleaning supplies. Whenever your firearm has been exposed to sand, dust,
extreme humidity, water or other adverse conditions, it must be cleaned and
lubricated.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE STORAGE
When storing your firearm, do not encase it in anything that will attract or
hold moisture, for example, leather or heavy cloth. Also, do not store
firearms with a plug inserted in the barrel because this can be a
contributing factor to moisture accumulation. If your firearm is to be
stored for an extended period, the bore, chamber and internal surfaces
should be oiled with a high-quality lubricating oil or preservative intended
for firearms. The external parts; receiver, bolt and barrel should be coated
with an anti-rust oil. Before using your firearm again, be sure to clean it.
Every time you clean your firearm, check it for signs of wear. If wear is
noted, do not use the firearm. Return it to the manufacturer for service, or
have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.
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SAFE STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FIREARM AT ALL TIMES.
In owning a firearm, you must undertake full-time responsibility for your
firearm's safety and security. You must protect yourself and all others
against injury or death from misuse of your firearm 24 hours a day. You must
secure firearms safely from children and unauthorized users. Your firearm
should always be kept unloaded and locked when not in use.
Smith & Wesson provides locks for this purpose with each of its firearms.
Please read and follow the instructions packaged with this lock. A lock,
when properly used, can be an effective tool in preventing unauthorized
access to your firearm. Nevertheless, never assume that the use of the lock
provided by Smith & Wesson alone is sufficient to safely secure your
firearm. There are other alternative locks and safe storage containers
available in the marketplace which may also be appropriate for your
particular needs. Consult your local gun shop, hardware store, or local law
enforcement agency for guidance on the variety of other safe storage devices
or practices which may be appropriate for your particular needs. You must
always evaluate your personal situation and employ the security systems that
meet your needs to prevent children and unauthorized users from gaining
access to your firearm.
NEVER LOCK A LOADED FIREARM AND NEVER LOAD A LOCKED FIREARM!
NEVER LEAVE THE KEY TO THE LOCK FOR YOUR FIREARM WITH THE STORED FIREARM!
ALWAYS STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION SEPARATELY.
Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately so that they are not
accessible to children or other unauthorized persons. Safe and secure
storage of your firearm and ammunition are your responsibility. It is a
full-time responsibility.
NEVER ASSUME THAT A "HIDING" PLACE IS A SECURE STORAGE METHOD.
Others may be aware of your storage location or come upon it by chance. It
is your personal responsibility to use common sense when storing your
firearm and ammunition and to always make sure they are not accessible to
children or other unauthorized persons.
NEVER TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM.
When transporting your firearm, be sure it is unloaded and locked.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LAW!
Many jurisdictions have laws that make it a crime to keep a firearm unlocked
and in an area accessible to children or others. You must be familiar and
comply with all local, state, and federal laws regarding the safe storage
and transportation of your firearm. Failure to know and follow the law could
lead to criminal charges against you! Obey all laws relating to the storage
and transportation of firearms. Consult your local law enforcement agency or
firearms dealer for information on storing and/or transporting a firearm
safely and legally in your jurisdiction.
YOUR FIREARM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
You are responsible for securing your firearm from theft or misuse by
untrained or unqualified individuals