Bass Pro Shops | Cabela’s Pro Staff Maggie Mordaunt has an important message about Firearm Safety and Safe Handling of Firearms.

As our Country’s Citizens have mobilized to stock up on supplies during the global pandemic of COVID-19. This past week, there has been an extraordinary amount of Firearms and Ammunition purchased around the Country from people with very little or no knowledge about firearms. As Maggie was helping provide information about Firearms to patrons of Bass Pro Shops, there were several basic questions from people who were purchasing firearms and many questions that lacked simple understanding about firearms. That in mind, Maggie and the Staff at Bass Pro Shops thought it was important to get simple safety information out to the public so they are less likely of posing a risk to themselves or others. It was quite evident to Maggie that simple basic firearm handling and safety information is needed for those new to firearms at this time.

Here are 10 Safety Rules and steps you can take to make yourself and others around you safer when it comes to handling firearms. Know that Firearm Safety is more than a concept. Safety is a Skill that has to be developed. Please adopt, follow and practice these safety rules as often as possible

  • MUZZLE DIRECTION – KEEP YOUR FIREARM POINTED IN A GENERALLY SAFE DIRECTION. Some directions are more safe [like the ground] than others [like the neighbor’s house] but that direction can change based on the situation and it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know what directions are and are not safe.

  • TRIGGER FINGER – KEEP YOUR FINGER ONE SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN THE TRIGGER. Keep your finger above and away from the trigger and above the trigger guard until you have make the decision to deliberately shoot. One of the Body’s Natural Reactions,”Grasp Reflex” could happen and cause you discharge the firearm when you didn’t intend to. Grasp Reflex happens when you are holding an object in your hand and are suddenly startled or surprised. The natural reaction is to clench your fingers closed around what is in your hand.

  • BIG PICTURE RULE –  REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF A WEAPON, IF USED NEGLIGENTLY OR MALICIOUSLY, IT COULD INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE OR YOUR SELF. Focus on what you are physically doing with a firearm under your control. Just as a pen does not misspell words, a firearm does not shoot on it’s own and anything that exits the barrel is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.)

  • TREAT ALL FIREARMS AS IF THEY ARE LOADED Respecting the tool for what it’s capable of, in the same way a knife is always treated as sharp, a firearm should always be treated as if it is loaded and it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to understand and follow all the safety rules.

  • TWO PERSON CHECK – In our program, “It takes two people required to declare a firearm unloaded using a visual and physical technique to inspect both the firing chamber and ammunition source. Once the chamber of the firearm is verified clear by you, you should then have a second person verify and confirm the chamber is empty as well. If you are alone, then perform the check twice. In that moment, you are the second person. Take the time to check it twice. 

  • LIMIT ADMINISTRATIVE HANDLING OF FIREARMS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. FIREARMS ARE NOT TOYS, do not play with or manipulate any of the firearm’s mechanics, such as loading or unloading, manipulating the slide, and unholstering, needlessly or without a specific purpose such as clearing a malfunction or preparing the firearm for use.

  • BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEYOND IT – Only point a firearm at something you’re willing to destroy. Once fired the projectile’s path can become unpredictable especially on impact with other surfaces.

  • CHECK AMMUNITION – It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure the use of the correct ammunition for a particular firearm, as there are many similar calibers, and some firearms can use multiple calibers, but most only use a specific caliber. This information can be found on your firearm or in your firearm’s Manual.

  • CLEANING, CARE, & MAINTENANCE – You should regularly inspect your firearm and ammunition for corrosion or damage, and learn to properly clean your firearm by reading the Manual. Take good care of your firearm and it will operate when you are ready to use it.

  • STORAGE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION – It is your RESPONSIBILITY to keep firearms and ammunition secured and away from unauthorized users such as Children or other occupants in your environment. Ammunition should be stored in a cool dry location. If you are storing firearms in your safe, the firearm should be unloaded, cleaned, lubricated. NOTE: This is a very distinct difference compared to STAGING firearms in your home for Home Defense.  

Please share this information with those who many need it.

From your Bass Pro Shops Pro Staff, Thank You and please let us know if you need any additional information regarding Firearm Safety.

Stay Tuned for more information about learning to shoot a firearm and learning how to use a firearm for self defense.

www.HPPTraining.com | 702-375-5900