TWRA Offers Tips for Home Firearms Safety
Monday, December 29, 2008 | 05:43am
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is urging everyone who received a firearm as a gift during the holiday season to handle them in a safe and responsible manner.
Hunters know the importance of firearm safety while in the field. Firearms in the home need to be treated with equal respect.
Tips for home firearms safety include:
1. Always read the owner’s manual before taking a new firearm out to the range or hunting. Not all firearms operate the same.
2. Never handle or show guns without first carefully checking to be sure they are unloaded. Open the action and keep it open until the gun is ready for storage.
3. Unload all firearms before taking them into the home. Even if you unloaded them after the range session or hunt ended, check them again before taking them inside.
4. Rifles and shotguns should be stored securely in racks, cabinets or safes. Handguns should be stored in a similar manner. If the proper storage facilities are not available, action or trigger locks should be installed.
5. All ammunition should be kept under lock and in a location separate from firearms.
6. When handling firearms, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Avoid horseplay at all times. Guns are not toys and they must always be treated with respect.
---TWRA---