Every responsible gun owner has been taught that firearm safety is one of the most important things that they can practice. They hear it in classes, from other shooters, and in the media. What they may not hear, though, is exactly why it’s so important to practice proper firearm safety.
In truth, there are plenty of good reasons to practice firearm safety. First and foremost, of course, practicing firearm safety keeps everyone around you safer when you are shooting. Regardless of why you own a gun or how you use it, you have to respect the fact that your gun can be a very dangerous tool when it is in use. Even a trained, responsible shooter can be dangerous if he or she chooses to ignore basic safety precautions.
At the same time, following basic safety practices helps to keep the shooter safe. When a gun owner chooses to ignore basic safety protocols, he or she puts himself or herself at risk. Using a gun is a bit like using any other type of tool – if you choose not to use it correctly, you are going to put yourself at risk.
Proper safety even helps to preserve the utility of your gun. Many safety techniques help you to ensure that you don’t cause damage to the weapon, which can, in turn, make your very expensive gun a useless hunk of metal. If you want to get the most from your investment, you need to be conscientious about how you handle the gun so that it remains viable and functional over time.
Finally, good gun safety helps to preserve your ability to keep shooting. If you’re not practicing proper discipline at a range, for example, you can cause the kind of accidents that cause a range to lose money and eventually close. If you want to keep having access to places to shoot, you’re going to have to reduce the danger down to acceptable levels. Additionally, failing to obey rules designed to keep you and other shooters safe can get you kicked out, further limiting your options to safely shoot.
Practicing good gun safety is a must if you want to keep yourself and others safe. Doing so also preserves your weapon and your ability to enjoy its use. If you are a gun owner, your primary responsibility is to be a safe shooter. Learn how to handle your gun properly so that you can make sure that you always have a safe shooting experience.