NRA Women

Best practices for storing firearms are a gun safe or a closed rifle box. If firearms are not stored in a secure or closed cabinet, they must be protected from unauthorized access by placing a trigger lock. Anyone in a field where firearms of any kind are used is urged to wear glasses or fire glasses to protect their eyes and earplugs or earmuffs to protect their hearing. Their sight and hearing are priceless and irreplaceable, so protect them.

When walking or carrying a long barrel, the muzzle is up or down and the firearm is unloaded. If you are unsure of the rules of your range for transportation, the cap/unpacking of your firearm regarding the direction of the muzzle, ask. States must require a person to complete safety training before purchasing a gun or carrying a gun in public. The training ensures that gun owners are educated about responsible practices for handling and using firearms, storing them safely at home and carrying weapons in public. A trigger lock is a two-part device that is attached over the trigger and trigger guard so that when it is locked in place, the trigger cannot be opened or pulled.

Anyone who completes sniper and safety training learns to be safe while handling any type of rifle or firearm. Keep weapons so that they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. Dozens of weapon storage devices, as well as locking devices that connect directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical latches, such as mechanical guards built into weapons, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safely handling weapons and adhering to all weapons safety rules.

I am amazed at the number of live bullets I have found in bags, suitcases and, in some cases, in the room of a gun. I prevented a lot of ammunition from entering my classroom by checking the firearms at the door, outside the classroom. All of the NRA’s basic gun shooting courses introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely own and use a firearm.

It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that weapons are stored safely. The most important rule of weapon storage is to store your weapons so that they are inaccessible to unauthorized users, especially children. Trigger finger discipline is a learned skill and is vital to maintain the safe condition of the firearm at all times. From the moment you make physical contact with the firearm, your finger should be held straight and rest along the side of the frame.

When the shot is completed, the action must be open and a CBI/ECI/OBI must be inserted even if the weapon is in the line of fire. The action of the weapon can be closed when placed in a weapon case or magazine, but a CBI/ECI/OBI must be opened and inserted as soon as it is picked up again. This includes jurisdictions with “may gun safety course issue” or “will” hidden carrying laws. See our analysis of hidden carrying laws for more information on the variation in the state’s implementation of hidden carrying laws. Now that you know these basic safety guidelines, share them with your loved ones, including children who are old enough to handle firearms safely.

At the NRA, gun education and safety are paramount, which is why we offer a variety of programs and services to promote the safe handling, use, and storage of firearms. Whether you’re a parent looking for gun safety information at home, a first-time gun owner, or an old professional looking to brush up on your gun handling skills, the NRA is here to keep you and your family safe. Explore the NRA’s fundamental gun safety rules, as well as information on how to safely store a gun and good cleaning practices. Firearm safety training provides gun owners with proper training on how to handle, use, store, and transport weapons, and all gun owners must complete safety training before purchasing one.

The safe storage of a firearm and the use of a firearm safety device can also eliminate or minimize the risk of accidental death, injury, or damage caused by improper handling of firearms. If you feel confused, insecure, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable, choose not to shoot. If you believe that the course of the fire, the placement of the target, or the speed of the exercise would result in you possibly violating any of the firearm safety rules, it is your duty not to fire. If at any point during a class, event, or practice session you find yourself unsure if your actions may become unsafe, please leave permission to PAUSE!