Safety rules and recommendations

while handling a gun

Marco Buschini

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 0

1.
Treat firearms ad if they are always loaded

Whenever you grab a gun, whether it is in a drawer, in a safe or somewhere else, it is

important that you do not assume that it is unloaded. You must treat your gun with
respect and always assume that it is loaded.

Here it is an example: if you take a very big and sharp knife out of a drawer, you would
pay attention to which part you grab and would chose the less dangerous. You would
move carefully, slowly, focusing on what you are doing.
If you use this example every time you grab your gun, you will prevent unintentional
accidents.
Once you make sure, with your eyes and hands, that your gun is unloaded, you can
handle it safely.

Never believe to someone who says “the weapon is unloaded”.

Make sure personally it really is.

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 1

2.
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Guns never shoot by themselves.

No weapon can shoot without the action of the shooter. If you keep your finger off the
trigger and alongside the weapon or above the trigger guard, you would be 100% sure
that you cannot shoot unintentionally.
This rule combined with the previous will keep you free from accidents due to unsafe
handling habits.

But be careful, because this rule is often misinterpreted. In my career I have often seen
shooters that, firing a sequence of two shots, they take the finger off the trigger after the
first shot, sliding it alongside the gun, then put the finger back on the trigger and fire the
second shot. That is incorrect.

The shooter’s finger must stay on the trigger from the beginning to the end of the
action.

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 2

3.
Never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot

The muzzle is the end of the barrel from which the projectile will exit. If you point the
gun at someone, something or yourself, it is a big safety mistake.

Why would you point your weapon at something you do not want to destroy?

If you need to point the weapon at something you do not want to shoot, make sure it is
unloaded, without the magazine and open. Then, you will be sure that the weapon will
not shoot and anyone can be sure as well. If your gun is a revolver, unload the bullets
and leave the chamber open.

If you want to check if the barrel is not blocked, disassemble the gun and look inside the
barrel once you have it in your hands.

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 3

4.
Be sure of the target and of what is beyond it

When you decide to shoot, be sure of your target.

If you are at a shooting range, make sure your target is made with appropriate material.
If you use a metal target you must stay at a proper distance so you are not hit by flying
object form the target or the bullet itself.

Make sure that behind the target there is something that can stop the bullet.

Make sure that there are not non-targets around or behind the target.
If you need to defend yourself, make sure you have no other solution and that your
action is approved by law and legal and that there are not unintended targets around.

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 4

5.
Further recommendations

If you have a shooting sport license and you are driving to the shooting range, always
keep the weapon in its box, unloaded, without the magazine and magazines with no
bullets inside.
The box must be in the trunk, never on the seats.
If you have bullets, they must be in a separate box.

Never leave the gun unattended in the car.

If you have a shooting license, always carry your gun inside a proper holster with
retention.

BDSA | Safety rules and recommendations while handling a gun 5