Firearm Safety Tips
From the Carrington Police Department

* Treat every firearm as if it was loaded. Keep the action open and the firearm unloaded until it is required for use. You can never guarantee that your chamber is unloaded. Give an unloaded firearm the same respect you would give a loaded firearm.

*  Watch where you point your firearm muzzle. Never point the muzzle of your firearm at yourself or anyone else, even if it is unloaded.

*  Know your firearm and its ammunition. Before you load, be sure your firearm is in safe operating condition and the barrel is free of obstructions. Double check the specifications of your ammunition to be sure it fits your firearm.

* Do not load your firearm before you are ready. Why take chances? When traveling to and from your hunting blind, take down or have your actions open, and always carry your firearms unloaded in their cases.

* Be sure of your target-and beyond-before you squeeze the trigger. Be sure that you have carefully identified your target, then look past it to be sure it is safe to shoot. Hunters need to keep track of buildings, roadways, and other hunters.

*   Beware of fatigue when hunting. When you’ve been out in the woods a long time, fatigue can cause accidents. A loaded firearm can accidentally fire with a single, unexpected jar-so watch your step.

*  Don’t take chances with a loaded firearm. Never step over fences, jump ditches, or make other awkward or unbalanced moves while holding a loaded firearm.

*  Use care when practicing. When shooting for practice, make sure your backstop will prevent ricochets and protect bystanders. Bullets can ricochet off water, rocks, trees, metal and other hard surfaces.

* Store your firearms safely. When not in use, always store firearms unloaded, away from ammunition and out of the reach of children and inexperienced users.

* Remember: Alcohol, drugs and firearms don’t mix. Never consume alcohol or other mood-altering drugs before or during target shooting or hunting.

Wear blaze orange to increase your visibility to other hunters. Between 1980 and 2000, there were 58 accidents in Oregon in which hunters shot individuals they mistook for game, according to Tony Burtt, ODFW hunter education coordinator. The victim wore blaze orange in only 10 of the 58 incidents. Of the 48 incidents in which no blaze orange attire was worn, 17 were fatalities. Blaze orange laws are required in 44 states and provinces, and all jurisdictions report substantial declines — up to 50 percent — in vision-related hunting incidents caused by the deliberate discharge of a firearm.

Mark all downed game with colorful flagging, an article of clothing or material: When field dressing or transporting a recently-killed animal, always wrap safety flagging, a brightly colored scarf or shirt around the animal's head or body. This action ensures that the animal will not be mistaken for a live animal while you are field dressing or carrying the animal.

Clearly identify the target and what’s beyond: Know exactly what you are shooting and where the bullet can land. If any doubt or safety risks exist, do not take a shot.

Point the muzzle in a safe direction: Always point the muzzle of a rifle or a shotgun away from people and toward the ground or the air.

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