The “Ten Commandments” of Gun Safety

According to the injury facts report published by the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2020, firearms were involved in 535 preventable-injury-related (accidental) deaths at home in the United States. This is fewer than 1 % of the total gun-related deaths for the year. In side-by-side comparisons, firearm accidents continue to rank among the lowest forms of accidental deaths.

Since 1998, the number of accidental deaths from firearms have dropped 47%, largely due to the promotion of gun safety. Below are the 10 Rules of Safe Gun Handling, also known as the “Ten Commandments” of Gun Safety, published by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF):

1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

This is the most basic safety rule. If everyone handled a firearm so carefully that the muzzle never pointed at something they didn’t intend to shoot, there would be virtually no firearms accidents.

2. Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.

Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range or shooting area, ready to shoot. When not in use, firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place, separate from each other.

3. Don’t rely on your gun’s “safety”.

Treat every gun as though it can fire at any time. The “safety” on any gun is a mechanical device which, like any such device, can become inoperable at the worst possible time. Besides, by mistake, the safety may be “off” when you think it is “on.” The safety serves as a supplement to property gun handling but cannot possibly serve as a substitute for common sense. You should never handle a gun carelessly and assume that the gun won’t fire just because the “safety is on.”

4. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.

No one can call a shot back. Once a gun fires, you have given up all control over where the shot will go or what it will strike. Don’t shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike. Be sure that your bullet will not injure anyone or anything beyond your target. Firing at a movement or a noise without being absolutely certain of what you are shooting at constitutes disregard for the safety of others. No target is so important that you cannot take the time before you pull the trigger to be absolutely certain of your target and where your shot will stop.

5. Use correct ammunition.

You must assume the serious responsibility of using only the correct ammunition for your firearm. Read and heed all warnings, including those that appear in the gun’s instruction manual and on the ammunition boxes.

6. If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care!

Occasionally, a cartridge may not fire when the trigger is pulled. If this occurs, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Keep your face away from the breech. Then, carefully open the action, unload the firearm and dispose of the cartridge in a safe way.

7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

All shooters should wear protective shooting glasses and some form of hearing protectors while shooting. Exposure to shooting noise can damage hearing, and adequate vision protection is essential. Shooting glasses guard against twigs, falling shot, clay target chips and the rare ruptured case or firearm malfunction. Wearing eye protection when disassembling and cleaning any gun will also help prevent the possibility of springs, spring tension parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. There is a wide variety of eye and ear protectors available. No target shooter, plinker or hunter should ever be without them.

8. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.

Before you load your firearm, open the action and be certain that no ammunition is in the chamber or magazine. Be sure the barrel is clear of any obstruction. Even a small bit of mud, snow, excess lubricating oil or grease in the bore can cause dangerously increased pressures, causing the barrel to bulge or even burst on firing, which can cause injury to the shooter and bystanders. Make it a habit to clean the bore and check for obstructions with a cleaning rod immediately before you shoot it. If the noise or recoil on firing seems weak or doesn’t seem quite “right, ” cease firing immediately and be sure to check that no obstruction or projectile has become lodged in the barrel.

9. Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly.

Firearms are complicated mechanisms that are designed by experts to function properly in their original condition. Any alteration or change made to a firearm after manufacture can make the gun dangerous and will usually void any factory warranties. Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others by altering the trigger, safety or other mechanism of any firearm or allowing unqualified persons to repair or modify a gun.

10. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

Not all firearms are the same. The method of carrying and handling firearms varies in accordance with the mechanical characteristics of each gun. Since guns can be so different, never handle any firearm without first having thoroughly familiarized yourself with the particular type of firearm you are using, the safe gun handling rules for loading, unloading, carrying and handling that firearm, and the rules of safe gun handling in general.

Develop safe shooting habits and remember that firearms safety is up to you. Don’t be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe anyone violating any safety precautions, you have an obligation to insist on safer handling practices.

To help learn more about gun safety and feel more comfortable handling guns, enroll in hunter safety or shooting safety courses. You must constantly stress safety when handling firearms, especially to children and non-shooters. Beginners, in particular, must be closely supervised when handling firearms with which they may not be acquainted.

Can my homeowners or renters insurance protect me from firearm-related accidents?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, if you have a disaster, homeowners or renters insurance paired with a personal umbrella insurance policy can help protect you from financial ruin. Homeowners and renters insurance usually includes personal liability coverage, which helps protect you against injuries or damages that you or members of your household may accidentally cause to non-household members. However, a personal umbrella insurance policy can offer wider protection with higher limits than a homeowners or renters insurance policy. If you are responsible for a hunting accident or if your guest is injured by an accidental firearm discharge on your property, you may be financially liable for medical and legal costs. These costs may be higher than a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy may allow. In situations like these, a personal umbrella insurance policy may help protect you from financial ruin.

How can I buy personal umbrella insurance in Oklahoma?

There are two easy ways to get a quote or request more information for personal umbrella insurance in Oklahoma: