7 Basic Rules of Firearms Safety Flashcards
Rule 1
Treat every firearm as loaded
What are the 5 steps of the Safety Precautions process to ensure a firearm is unloaded?
- Point muzzle in a safe direction.
- Apply safety to ‘on’ (‘safe’) position (if fitted)
- Open or remove magazine.
- Open/Lock the action/bolt to the rear.
- Check chamber and magazine well.
Rule 2
Always point firearms in a safe direction
What is a safe direction (in terms of pointing a firearm)?
A safe direction is one in which, if your firearm discharges unintentionally, no one will be injured.
What is the Laser Check?
Visualise a bright red laser beam projecting straight out from the muzzle of the firearm; this will help you understand where the muzzle is pointing and what a projectile would potentially hit if the firearm discharged. Whatever the beam touches, it can destroy.
Rule 3
Chamber a cartridge only when ready to fire
What are the four firearm states of readiness?
LOAD, ACTION, INSTANT, UNLOAD.
Describe the LOAD state of readiness.
- Safety catch is on (safe) (if fitted).
- LIVE cartridges in the MAGAZINE.
- Bolt/action closed on an EMPTY chamber.
for when you have reached your hunting or shooting area.
Describe the ACTION state of readiness.
- Safety catch is on (safe) (if fitted).
- LIVE CARTRIDGE IN CHAMBER.
- Bolt/action closed.
for when you expect to encounter game or about to discharge the firearm (e.g., on a range).
Describe the INSTANT state of readiness.
- Safety catch is OFF (fire) (if fitted).
when you have made the conscious decision to fire.
Describe the UNLOAD state of readiness.
- Safety catch is on (safe) (if fitted).
- EMPTY MAGAZINE or magazine removed.
- Bolt fully open/action locked open.
- EMPTY CHAMBER.
- Visually and physically check the chamber and magazine area are empty.
for leaving a shooting area, entering a hut or camp, transporting, cleaning or storing.
Secure cartridges away from the firearm.
Rule 4
Identify your target beyond all doubt
What are some example of human stress responses when using firearms?
- Tunnel Vision
- Target Fixation
- Auditory Exclusion
What is a safer process to take before considering taking a shot?
- SLOW DOWN and take a few deep breaths.
- SCAN by moving your head and eyes around to help break tunnel vision and gain a better view of your environment and the target area.
- Take time to ANALYSE the target (ideally using binoculars).
- ASK YOURSELF: Is this a person? Could this be another hunter? Is it possible my hunting partner has strayed into this area?
- Is this definitely the TYPE OF ANIMAL I am hunting? (how old? what species?)
- Look at the way the animal is POSITIONed. Does it appear normal or is something not quite right?
- Am I fully in CONTROL of my actions? (no impulse or pressure).
- Have I positively identified BEYOND ALL DOUBT what I am looking at?
How can you reduce the risk of being misidentified?
Wear ‘hi-vis’ clothing. Usually blaze orange or blue. If hunting in thick bush then wear hi-vis clothing over a greater area of your body.
