Two gun safety issues
Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2014 10:57 am
Two accidents in the past few weeks that have hit the news are the toddler that shot and killed his mother and the guy that shot himself in the parking lot of Bass Pro. As gun owners we must always follow the most basic safety rules.
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
4. Always keep the gun secured and out of the reach of unauthorized users.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morn ... -wal-mart/
http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/man- ... 56961.html
While many of us know these rules there are time where we don't think about them and that I try to reinforce in our classes.
The lady that was shot in Walmart had a holster purse, but the problem with holster purses is that most of the time the gun is not pointed in a safe direction even in the purse. And, if you are going to carry in a holster purse, you must treat it as a holster and not a purse, meaning that you should NEVER leave it unattended. It should stay on your shoulder at all times.. Other holster issues like pocket carry in your front pocket means that when seated, your gun is pointed at whoever is directly across or in front of you. If you carry on a cross draw holster, in order for you to draw that gun you will sweep your weak side arm, and who ever is on your weak side in order to bring your gun up to the threat in front of you.
In the case of the 2nd instance in Bass Pro parking lot.. The guy obviously didn't follow any of the first 3 rules..
The safest, quickest and most efficient draw is going to be from a strong side hip holster. We have more and more people carrying everyday and even though some go through training, many times the training doesn't emphasize the need to obey all the rules even when the gun is holstered or when they draw from the holster. These events are tragic for the family and they give the media more and more ammunition to paint us gun owners as irresponsible, and in most cases of accidental shootings, it is because WE WERE irresponsible.
Owning and carrying a gun can't be an afterthought.. It has to be a way of life.
The rules we should practicing should be
1. ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, even when holstered or if it has to be drawn from the holster
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on your target or threat
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use. This means unless you are carrying it on you are keeping it close by for home protection it should be unloaded.
4. ALWAYS keep your gun out of the hands of unauthorized users. This means if the gun comes off your body that it should go immediately into a secured handgun vault or safe. Never leave a child in a car with a gun in the glove box, never leave a purse or other detachable holster unattended..
Many people use a training as a "check off box".. And either they don't get the right or enough information in the course and then never practice or think about that info again. Be safe out there.
1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
4. Always keep the gun secured and out of the reach of unauthorized users.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morn ... -wal-mart/
http://www.newsandtribune.com/news/man- ... 56961.html
While many of us know these rules there are time where we don't think about them and that I try to reinforce in our classes.
The lady that was shot in Walmart had a holster purse, but the problem with holster purses is that most of the time the gun is not pointed in a safe direction even in the purse. And, if you are going to carry in a holster purse, you must treat it as a holster and not a purse, meaning that you should NEVER leave it unattended. It should stay on your shoulder at all times.. Other holster issues like pocket carry in your front pocket means that when seated, your gun is pointed at whoever is directly across or in front of you. If you carry on a cross draw holster, in order for you to draw that gun you will sweep your weak side arm, and who ever is on your weak side in order to bring your gun up to the threat in front of you.
In the case of the 2nd instance in Bass Pro parking lot.. The guy obviously didn't follow any of the first 3 rules..
The safest, quickest and most efficient draw is going to be from a strong side hip holster. We have more and more people carrying everyday and even though some go through training, many times the training doesn't emphasize the need to obey all the rules even when the gun is holstered or when they draw from the holster. These events are tragic for the family and they give the media more and more ammunition to paint us gun owners as irresponsible, and in most cases of accidental shootings, it is because WE WERE irresponsible.
Owning and carrying a gun can't be an afterthought.. It has to be a way of life.
The rules we should practicing should be
1. ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, even when holstered or if it has to be drawn from the holster
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on your target or threat
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use. This means unless you are carrying it on you are keeping it close by for home protection it should be unloaded.
4. ALWAYS keep your gun out of the hands of unauthorized users. This means if the gun comes off your body that it should go immediately into a secured handgun vault or safe. Never leave a child in a car with a gun in the glove box, never leave a purse or other detachable holster unattended..
Many people use a training as a "check off box".. And either they don't get the right or enough information in the course and then never practice or think about that info again. Be safe out there.