The Loadout Blog

Education|Beginners Guide To Firearms

Introduction

During the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus we have had a lot of first time gun buyers here in the U.S. I just wanted to say, “Welcome,” to the hundreds and thousands of new gun owners joining the community. With this being your first purchase there comes a lot of uncertainty and questions. That’s cool and it’s normal. You are walking into new and unknown territory, so you shouldn’t know the lay of the land. This guide is here as a resource for new shooters to give you that lay of the land you need.

My plan is to flesh this out nice and slow. Break this stuff down Barney style so everyone can use the knowledge. This is meant to be make knowledge accessible to the new shooters without being intimidating. When it comes to firearms and safety there is so much to know. Trying to find out where to start can be a challenge. So, right now I want to address the areas I believe are essential for all new gun owners to have knowledge on.

Today, we are going to cover firearm safety.

Firearm Safety

The most important thing every gun owner should have is a complete and in-depth knowledge of gun safety. Every new gun owner should know how to safely handle a weapon and store it within their homes. The main cause of gun accidents are laziness and complacency. At, no moment in time should you every be complacent with a firearm loaded or unloaded. Firearms are tools of protection and destruction. The are the protectors of your life and hold the potential destruction of others. That dichotomy should be taken seriously and understood.

All new gun owners should be aware and understand the four safety rules. These four safety rules will allow you to safety handle any weapon in a safe manor. The four weapon safety rules should be in play at all times. The only way for a negligent discharge to happen is if you are not following one or more of the safety rules.

Definition: Negligent discharge-is a discharge of a firearm involving culpable carelessness by the user aka you!

Now, let’s get into the Four Safety Rules.

Four Weapon Safety Rules

Rule#1: Treat Every Weapon As It Is Loaded

Never assume that a firearm is unloaded and not prepared to fire. Your approach to every weapon is to assume that a round is loaded in the chamber. You want to handle that firearm as it is loaded and point it safely downrange and clear it before manipulating the firearm. Never pull the trigger to find out if a gun is loaded or unloaded.

Always check and personally make sure that the firearm is unloaded and safe. Never. I repeat never…take anyone’s word that a weapon is unloaded and safe. Always personally check to make sure the firearm chamber is empty and that the firearm has no source of ammunition.

Rules #2: Never Point Your Weapon At Anything You Do Not Attend To Shoot

The second rule builds off of rule one. When handling a loaded firearm keep the barrel of the weapon pointed down range at your target and only your target. So, you know if you pull that trigger or the weapon has an accidental discharge that weapon is pointed away from you or another person.

When dealing with a live firearm you never want to be careless or complacent. That complacency can get someone hurt or killed. That means no playful pointing a gun at someone. Loaded or unloaded. No, swinging the barrel of your firearm around flagging people within your immediate area. Barrel discipline is key.

What is flagging? Flagging your weapon is where you make wide sweeping motions with the barrel of your firearm pointing it in the direction of other people. Flagging someone will get them highly upset and a few choice words for you.

Rule#3: Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You Are Ready To Fire

The third rule is theoretical an easy one but, one I see many new shooters struggle with. Keeping your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Most new shooters natural instinct is to put their finger on the trigger. Not all firearms have manual safeties. Most firearms do but, not all of them. As, a new shooter you have to fight that first instinct to put that finger on the trigger. You don’t keep your gas on the car pedal in park or at a stop light. That’s dumb. Nor should your first instinct be to put your finger on the gas pedal of your firearm.

We keep our finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire to eliminate the negligent discharge of a firearm. It eliminates the risk of you pulling the trigger by i.e. being startled, stumbling, or having an involuntary muscle spasm.

Here are some examples of excellent trigger discipline.

Rule#4 Know Your Target And What Lies Beyond And In-between.

As, a shooter you want to know what your target is but, you have to take into considerations what is beyond your target. You want to know what is beyond your target not to cause any necessary harm to anyone else or property.

At the range you know what is beyond your target. You will need to consider this very critical rule in home defense and self defense. If you are out in public and have to defend yourself you don’t want to accidentally shoot anyone else. Or if you are at home you don’t want that bullet to travel and hurt someone you love who you are trying to protect. You want to understand what your target is and what lies beyond it. Additionally, picking out the right ammunition for home and self defense will be important in the future.

Conclusion

The four safety rules discussed today work in conjunction with each other. If you do not apply one you increase the danger that you can have a negligent discharge of a firearm. The first priority when handling a firearm is safety. Never assume with any firearm. Never take anyone’s word claiming that the firearm is safe. Check it yourself.

When handling firearms you always want to be alert and observant of all things you do with that firearm. You want to build good safety habits now because if you don’t you are only risking injury down the road. Firearms safety starts with you first.

If you ever see something done unsafely with a firearm correct it and educate. Only through proper education can we reduce ignorance and negligence discharges by gun owners when it comes down to safety.

If you have any questions. Drop them in the comments below.

Thanks For Reading

If you enjoyed this post, hit that like button, share it a friend, and subscribe. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or comments. Please feel free to drop a comment. Be Humble. Train until only savagery remains and stay deadly ladies and gents.