Manual
TO AVOID A CATASTROPHE
ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction. Never point any gun – loaded or unloaded
– at anything you are not willing to see destroyed.
ALWAYS assume every gun is loaded until you
personally prove otherwise. Don't trust your
memory, and never take anyone's word for it.
ALWAYS hold your gun so that you can control
the direction of the muzzle if you fall or stumble.
ALWAYS keep the safety "ON" and your finger
outside the trigger guard until the muzzle is pointed
at the target and you are ready to fire.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until it must
be ready for use. If there is no need to load it until
later, don't.
ALWAYS pay attention where the muzzle is
pointing when you (or others nearby) are handling
any gun, especially while operating any part of its
mechanism. Don't let anyone point the muzzle in an
unsafe direction (for example: at you).
ALWAYS check for any obstruction in the
barrel before loading or if there is any reason to
suspect blockage. Bore obstructions are a major
source of gun explosions.
ALWAYS positively identify your target and be
sure there is a safe backstop before you shoot. It's
far better than making pathetic excuses afterward.
ALWAYS hold your gun so that you can control
the direction of the muzzle if you fall or stumble.
ALWAYS use high quality ammunition made to
American industry standards. Make sure it is clean,
dry, in good condition, and of the proper type and
caliber for your gun. Defective or improper
ammunition is responsible for most malfunctions
and blown-up guns.
NEVER mix alcohol or drugs with shooting.
There is enough danger without the added hazard
of fuzzy judgment.
NEVER pull a gun toward you by grasping its
muzzle end. If the rifle snags on something and
fires, the bullet probably won't miss.
NEVER attempt to load or unload a gun inside
a vehicle or building (except a properly constructed
indoor range); there usually is no safe direction to
point the muzzle.
NEVER shoot at a hard object or at water
except under carefully controlled conditions. Bullets
can glance off hard materials like rock, glass or
steel, or skip off the surface of water, fly in
unpredictable directions – and kill.
NEVER leave an unattended gun loaded. Guns
and ammunition should be stored separately, locked
and beyond the reach of children and careless
adults.
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