NRA Gun Safety Rules

[Common Sense Party]

Since we NEVER discuss gun safety in this forum:

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.

2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.


3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.

...

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

There are other tips on the site, such as knowing your target and what is BEYOND your target. I'm sure that others who enjoy the right to keep and bear arms can think of some others.

[Simo 1939_1940]

1. I've always thought that "and what is beyond your target" is too narrow.

I'd prefer "knowing what is beyond your target and in it's nearby proximity."

[Common Sense Party]

2. Are you thinking more of the dangers of a ricochet?

Or just poor aim?

Both are dangerous and should warrant caution.

[Simo 1939_1940]

6. Poor aim - mostly in the case of new shooters,

but it never pays to take needless risk.

[gejohnston]

3. one more thing

&feature=related

There are also biometric safes at reasonable prices. Even if you have to forgo the Kimber and get a Kel-Tec to afford it, these things are worth it.

[Common Sense Party]

4. Mine doesn't have a mute button.

But keeping there stored safely is extremely important.

[Hoyt]

5. Wonder if NRA will push as hard for laws against using guns while on OTC or Rx meds as they do SYG?

I think that would be a good law since some gun carriers here have admitted to being on pain pills and similar medications.

Further, would like to see them push for laws that guns would have to remain unloaded until ready for use (and "use" would not include strapping one or two on before walking out the door).

The NRA cares more about paying off legislators to pass laws that allow the Zimmermans of the world to pollute our streets, public parks, restaurants, churches, and other peaceful places where the majority of people wouldn't dream of carrying a gun.

[Common Sense Party]

7. Hoyt's world = take a Benadryl, shoot a gun, go to jail for life

[Hoyt]

9. Actually, cold med abuse can make one quite aggressive and stupid.

[Remmah2]

13. The voice of experience? nt

nt

[jeepnstein]

19. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Explains a lot. Thanks.

[Callisto32]

27. Nyquil sometimes makes me crabby, pseudoephadrine is like concentrated moody for me...

I've never, ever thought of harming someone on either, but decided that a cold sucked less than the adverse effects of both.

I suspect my experience is more common than yours.

[Hoyt]

33. Just saying NRA says don't mess with guns while on OTC meds. Take it up with them.

When NRA henchmen say that, it must be dangerous. Of course, right wing toters who support NRA are dangerous enough to society. Crabiness and guns certainly don't go together.

[AH1Apache]

34. Always good for a laugh Hoyt

no matter how ridiculous your statements are.

[ileus]

10. and carry a short little rock...but only when home. I recommend a jo in hoyts world.

[BiggJawn]

11. Yeah, cuz that daily low-dose aspirin really wigs me out.

And that Metformin and Doxizosin... Woooooo!

[rl6214]

12. "and "use" would not include strapping one or two on before walking out the door). "

Always good for a laugh.

[Common Sense Party]

14. And not much else.

[Atypical Liberal]

16. It is already illegal in most places to use a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

[Hoyt]

17. Might be -- but how many "law-abiding" citizens are using an OTC or prescription drug (of any kind)

while carrying a firearm? I bet a lot -- we've have carriers in this group who have said the are on prescription drugs (including pain meds) when carrying. The NRA in OP said one should not carry/use a firearm while taking OTC or prescription meds. So, there needs to be checks of anyone carrying a gun to make sure they are not impaired.

Point is, a lot of people carrying guns are violating laws or laws that should exist.

[Atypical Liberal]

18. I don't know, how many?

Might be -- but how many "law-abiding" citizens are using an OTC or prescription drug (of any kind) while carrying a firearm?

I don't know, how many?

I bet a lot -- we've have carriers in this group who have said the are on prescription drugs (including pain meds) when carrying.

So do you have any data concerning CCW permit holders being arrested while carrying and under the influence?

A review of Texas' conviction data shows nothing.

The NRA in OP said one should not carry/use a firearm while taking OTC or prescription meds. So, there needs to be checks of anyone carrying a gun to make sure they are not impaired.

Point is, a lot of people carrying guns are violating laws or laws that should exist.

So what checks would you recommend?

There is no way to do this, any more than there is any way to check people before they drive impaired. All we can do is punish those caught after the fact.

[jeepnstein]

21. Field sobriety test.

If someone is carrying a weapon and can't pass a sobriety test then there's a problem. Easy enough to fix, all you gotta do is a simple Disorderly Conduct, Drunk on them. That's just at a minimum.

[Atypical Liberal]

22. So how do you propose doing this?

The only thing I could see is roadblock checkpoints where they randomly stop people and check them for DUI, and if they have a CCW permit and are carrying then you could get them that way.

I'm only marginally OK with random police checkpoints.

But if you're suggesting we just randomly check citizens to see if they are intoxicated and carrying a firearm, I'm not OK with that at all.

[jeepnstein]

24. Random checks?

Goodness no, there are far more important things out there than random checkpoints that rarely accomplish anything that good police work couldn't do better. I must say that when I have worked check points I usually do the "Your papers, please." in my best Major Hochstetter voice on priciple.



I despise checkpoints. The only time I ever thought one was appropriate was when the Klan came to town and we were trying to keep the bigots and the protesters from killing one another.

If a person comes into contact with the police on a complaint of intoxication it's perfectly reasonable and legal for me to conduct a "Terry" search prior to determining whether the individual is indeed intoxicated. Then things either go down hill from there or not. Since most people are clear headed and sane enough to get through the day without getting turned in it's a reasonable and rational approach that guards your Civil Liberties while keeping the public relatively safe.

[Hoyt]

25. The church of the NRA says one should not use guns while taking OTC or Rx drugs. I think that is

advice. Yet you guys think we should just ignore it.

Maybe the NRA ought to publicize that more, rather than concentrating on supporting right wing legislators who support a bunch of crap that harms society beyond just their gun crap.

[Atypical Liberal]

26. Who says we should ignore it?

The church of the NRA says one should not use guns while taking OTC or Rx drugs. I think that is advice. Yet you guys think we should just ignore it.

I think it's great advice. Who says we should just ignore it?

Maybe the NRA ought to publicize that more, rather than concentrating on supporting right wing legislators who support a bunch of crap that harms society beyond just their gun crap.

Perhaps you could use a little NRA-sponsored education yourself?

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting.

Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.

Also, all of my Democratic candidates in the last election, except one, had high marks from the NRA.

[AH1Apache]

31. His solution is to stop lawful CHL holders

in the streets and ask for their papers and probably to have a drug test administered.
Always good for a laugh.

[Callisto32]

28. Funniest shit I've ever read from you.

Point is, a lot of people carrying guns are violating laws or laws that should exist.

Now I KNOW you aren't serious.

[friendly_iconoclast]

30. *cough**cough*Dunning-Kruger*(ahem) Worth bookmarking for that alone!

[oneshooter]

29. So you are saying that I should give up my arms because I

take prescription drugs for my diabetes and blood pressure?

The FAIL, it sounds so painful!

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[AH1Apache]

32. Wow

just fucking wow.

[Common Sense Party]

8. If you'd rather WATCH than READ about gun safety:

And learn from others' mistakes:

[Logical]

15. Never catch a dropped gun!

[jeepnstein]

20. Ain't that the truth.

I had just bought a shiny new S&W 940 to carry as my backup weapon on duty. We were transferring a prisoner to the jail one night and at the main gate we had to secure our weapons in lock boxes. The deputy with me was a seasoned veteran, the supervisor for the road that night. So I put my foot up on a bench and start to remove the 940 from my ankle holster and tip over dropping the weapon in the process. The sergeant's eyes bugged out of his head as I tipped and he saw the gun leave my hand. I just let it hit the floor and regained my balance. I actually got an official "attaboy" for that one because that's one of the easier ways to shoot ones self or a bystander. A modern firearm suitable for duty won't just "go off" on it's own even if you drop it. It will if you grab it and pull the trigger in the process.

[Logical]

23. Great story! Thanks!n-t