Gun safety is a must

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Firearms safety is a set of guidelines that helps eliminate the risk of unintentional injury or property damage caused by firearms.

Jeff Cooper, international small arms expert, listed four basic rules of firearms safety:

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. This violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.
4. Identify your target and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

In addition to proper handling of firearms, it is equally as important to store them safely. When firearms are not in use, store them unloaded and locked away safely, with extra care taken in households with children. Gun locks are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at many department stores.

In the military, firearm safety is necessary and is taught during the first weeks of Basic Military Training.

"The big safety guidelines to follow are: treat every weapon as if it is loaded, identify the target and what's behind it," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Earl Qualls, 23rd Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of combat arms. "I have heard of numerous incidents that could've been prevented if these rules were followed."

Another Airman agrees with Qualls about the most basic firearm safety guidelines.

"Treat all weapons as if they are loaded," said Master Sgt. Wiley Girard, 23rd SFS combat arms superintendent. "If you do that you shouldn't have any negligent discharges. Life, loss of property and injury are the consequences of not practicing proper gun safety.

"The biggest thing I see is complacency around firearms, and not understanding their destructive power," he added.

The firearms safety guidelines are universal and easy to find. Girard stressed the importance of proper knowledge of the weapon and safety before using firearms.

"Don't operate firearms unless you are fully trained and know how to operate the weapon," he said. "All firearms come with an owner's manual that includes the safety rules, and if it is not included they will usually send you a copy for free.

"Never mix alcohol and firearms," he added. "Waking up at 4 a.m. and having a few drinks before going hunting is just a bad idea."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 18,610 unintentional non-fatal firearm accidents in 2009. The combat arms instructors at Moody and major associations like the National Rifle Association stress the importance of firearm safety.

"When it comes down to it, it is the individual's responsibility," said Girard. "I can instruct them on proper safety, but when it comes time to shoot, it's ultimately the individual's responsibility to practice proper procedures and safety."