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Owning a gun is your right, but storing and handling it safely is your
responsibility. |
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Federal and state laws define the rights of a U.S. citizen to own and bear
firearms. But if you own a gun, it is your absolute duty and responsibility
to see that it is handled and stored in a safe manner, at all times.
Every private citizen who owns or handles any type of firearm, whether
it's a handgun, shotgun, or rifle, should participate in a recognized training
program made available in most areas by the National Rifle Association.
(Law enforcement and military agencies conduct their own on going training
programs.) Once you have received training, practice what you
have learned. |
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SOME
IMPORTANT SAFETY GUIDELINES.
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web site is not intended for training purposes, and is not a substitute
for proper training in gun handling and safety. However, there are some
important general guidelines you can follow to help do your part in the
proper safeguarding of guns in your home and your community. |
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GUIDELINES
FOR KEEPING A GUN AT HOME.
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You and your spouse should have professional training on handling the gun,
even if there is no intention to use it. If you have children, you have
probably already taught them respect for a gun, and discussed the consequences
of disregarding your wishes. If not, do so immediately. You may have taught
them (or had them professionally instructed) how to use the gun safely,
and can trust them implicitly to use it only under your direct supervision.
You may have even instructed them to use the gun in case of an emergency,
such as home protection. But these are rare circumstances. And what about
others' children, or thrill-seeking youths, or inexperienced adults from
outside your own home? They may be in your home when you're not there.
Even some guns on the street in the hands of under-age youths were taken
from the home. Add the elements of alcohol and/or drugs and/or peer pressure,
and otherwise sensible people, especially the young ones, are prone to
changing their normal behavior. That's when accidents happen. You must
be sure your gun cannot be subject to any of these circumstances. And if
your child encounters a gun somewhere else, you must be sure he or she
knows how to react properly to stay out of danger and out of trouble. |
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GUIDELINES
FOR SECURE STORAGE.
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Secure means no one can get to your gun who should not.
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Clear your gun
by removing all the ammunition and then checking the chamber to be sure
it's empty. For a revolver, look through each chamber in the cylinder.
For a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, look into the chamber at the back end
of the barrel or barrels, and also look to see that the magazine is removed.
Take your time and pay attention to each step.
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Lock up your
gun in a theft-proof container out of sight, and out of reach of children.
Store it in a manner that will keep it out of anyone's hands other than
your own or someone you want to have access to it.
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Lock up your
ammunition in a different location so that anyone who should not have it
can't get to it.
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Some people use
gun locks, and some states mandate their use. Gun locks are not as secure
as a theft-proof container, so use both when necessary.
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CAUTION: Gun locks can give a false sense
of security. Some, especially those covering the trigger, do not always
fit tightly enough to prevent movement. If they can be moved, the trigger
can also move. If the gun is loaded and cocked when the trigger is moved,
the gun may fire even with the gun lock in place. A gun lock alone will
not prevent anyone from handling the gun, and it will not necessarily prevent
them from removing the gun from your home. So keep your gun locked
up where no one can get to it. |
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WARNING: When you leave a gun laying around
you are inviting trouble. Kids will look under the bed, under pillows,
on top shelves, in nightstands, in basements, in closets, behind clocks,
even in the drawers. There is no safe place to “hide” a gun. |
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HANDLING
THE UNEXPECTED.
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A child who finds a gun, at home—in the street, at school, at a friend's
house—or has one handed to them, may be afraid of it or thrilled by it.
Their reaction could save their lives. Prepare them by teaching them these
three steps:
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Do NOT touch
the gun. Explain that if they touch it, it may fire and hurt someone.
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Leave the scene.
Explain that this will clear them of the risk of someone else touching
the gun.
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Tell an adult.
Explain that an adult can get help quickly to prevent an accident.
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A number of states now have laws on the books with which to prosecute people
who do not secure their guns adequately. If someone gets your gun and someone
gets hurt or killed because you were careless about storing it, you could
be held responsible. This can mean added grief to loving parents who have
lost their child because of a moment of carelessness. |
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The National Association of School Resource Officers (N.A.S.R.O.) is taking
an active role to curb gun violence in America's schools. Through an ongoing
educational program on topics from gun safety to drugs to alcohol and abuse,
N.A.S.R.O. is helping young people make positive choices in their lives. |
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LIKE
MANY EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, GUNS REQUIRE PROPER RESPECT, HANDLING, AND
SAFEGUARDS.
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A quick tour of most households will turn up numerous items that represent
a potential threat to personal safety.
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Kitchen - household
cleaners and disinfectants.
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Bathroom - prescription
and over-the-counter drugs and medicines.
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Laundry area
- cleansers and bleaches.
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Basement/workroom
- power tools, sharp devices, and flammable aerosols.
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Garage/utility
shed - petroleum products, power equipment, and pesticides.
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Patio - propane
gas tanks or charcoal lighter fluid.
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And to take it to an even broader spectrum, think about gas- matches, electrical
appliances and outlets. |
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The fact is, to varying degrees, these and many other items are potential
threats to personal safety. But it is also a fact that most people do not
consider these items to be an unusual threat. Most people have been taught
proper respect, handling, and safeguarding of these items to the extent
that it has become second nature to them. Guns require this same level
of training and practice in proper respect, handling, and safeguarding. |
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Do not assume that anyone you are talking with knows proper gun handling
and safety. The best practice is to not let others handle your firearms.
However, if they do, it is your responsibility to see that the firearm
is properly cleared and the action is open before handing it to them. If
there is any doubt, instruct them to point the firearm in a safe direction,
lay it down and leave it alone until someone with gun-handling knowledge
can render it safe to handle. |
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