Marcie YoungThe concept of gun ownership has been widely discussed for many decades, fostering two very divergent points of view: pro-gun and anti-gun. Despite what is said about the dangerous nature of firearms, they are excellent equalizers against criminal assault.
They ensure personal protection, and they are one of the best ways to guarantee self-defense, especially for women. While being a supporter of gun ownership, I must also point out that there are situations in which guns should be more regulated, particularly in places like schools, where an ever-increasing number of children lose their life at the hands of firearms.
A noticeable number of accidents result from mismanagement of firearms every year. According to recent studies, the number of gun-related deaths that occurred in 2019 reached 39,707 – including preventable, intentional, and undetermined causes. These numbers are a sobering reminder of how important it is to manage a firearm properly, as well as to promote better prevention methods to protect children and innocent individuals from unwanted accidents.
There are 3 important things to remember about gun safety:
Learn The Mechanical And Technical Features Of Your Gun
Much of gun safety comes down to how well you handle the tool. Studies conducted by the NRA showed that the rate of occurrence of a firearm accident in 2018 was 0.14 per 100,000 inhabitants. Whether you are a new gun holder or a firearm veteran, always know the specs of your weapon and how it works.
Learn how to dismantle and reconstruct it, what parts are most likely to break down, and what types of ammunition are appropriate. Most importantly, remember how the weapon is sighted in and what its range is.
Think Of Your Firearm As Loaded
Always think of your firearm as it is ready to shoot. This will make you more aware of checking the actions before handling the gun. A lot of accidents happen because someone believes their gun is unloaded when, in reality, it is not.
An experienced gun handler always opens the actions to make sure there is no ammunition in the magazine, the receiver, or the chamber before handing the firearm over to someone. On a general note, it is always best to keep your gun bullet-free until it is time to use it.
Point Your Gun At A Specific Target
Even when you are sure your gun is empty, avoid pointing it at a random target. The best thing to do is to point the barrel of the weapon somewhere neutral such as the ground. A safe direction is essentially any point where the bullet cannot strike anyone. This is crucial at the loading/unloading phase. As long as the muzzle points in a safe direction, no injury can occur if the gun is accidentally discharged.
In conclusion, I believe that if guns are managed properly, they can be a strong ally. With them, I can protect myself, my family, and even my home. But I also know that simply owning a gun will not guarantee any protection. It should be combined with proper training and basic knowledge about safety measures. It is also important to have the right mindset, knowing exactly when to use your gun and how. To become proficient, I highly recommend the periodical practice. This will not only make you more responsible about how to secure the weapon but also when to use it.