Sports Then and Now

Being a legal gun owner can save your life. However, it’s important that you understand the importance of gun safety as soon as you decide you want to own one. It’s especially important if you have small children in your home.

In 2019, six percent of the gun-related deaths were deemed accidental or preventative. To avoid hurting yourself or someone you love, it’s best to practice proper gun handling.

Practice Makes You Comfortable

Everything from driving a car to cooking becomes easier when you have practice. Regularly practicing your gun handling from the time you leave the gun store will make you comfortable with your guns. Be sure to practice handling both a loaded and unloaded gun. That way, you’ll feel comfortable cleaning and using your gun when necessary.

For example, you should practice dry firing at least once a week. Dry firing is the art of doing everything you’d do with a loaded gun without loading it like maintenance and adding rounds. Live firing, which involves actively using your firearm, should be practiced at least once a month.

Consult an Expert

Some guns are better suited for beginners compared to others, and it is important to find the right weapons to learn gun safety with. Visit a gun store and ask what kinds of guns are best for beginners. Seeking advice from a professional will allow you to find a simplistic firearm that will not require too much maintenance. Once you have a little more experience under your belt, you can return to the store purchase some more advanced guns.

Practicing Keeps Families Safe

One day, you or a family member may need to use your gun in self-defense. When the time comes, you want everyone in your home to be prepared in case of an emergency.

When you practice with a professional gun handler, you can pass those lessons on to your loved ones. Anyone old enough to attend gun lessons can accompany you.

If you take a great interest in handling guns, it’s likely your younger children will eventually want to emulate you. As long as you do it safely, de-stigmatizing gun handling with your kids is a good idea. It’s best to train them using dry firing techniques. Always teach them to handle an unloaded gun as if it were so they’re careful. Most importantly, make sure there’s always a responsible adult present as children practice gun handling.

Gun handling serves a great purpose in overall safety. Like with every other skill that has the potential to harm you, you must practice gun handling safety with your family so you’re comfortable in an emergency situation. Remember, you need to be confident in your ability to clean, load, and shoot a firearm, so be sure to visit a professional range and learn how to effectively do all three actions seamlessly. This effort can help save innocent lives.