Every firearm should be treated as loaded until it is cleared and seen to be empty of
ammunition.
Ensure that the firearm is unloaded and that the action is open when carrying, accepting
from, or passing to another person.
Or when removing it from storage.
Always point firearms in a safe
direction.
Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
A safe direction will depend on where you are and what you
are doing.
Be aware of the bullet would go if the firearm discharged.
Never have loaded firearms in the car,
home, or your camp.
All firearms must be unloaded other than when they are being used to
shoot.
Never have loaded firearms in your car, your home, or camp.
When you are finished shooting, completely unload your firearm before entering your car,
home or camp. Ensure there is no ammunition in the breech or magazine and leave the action
open if possible. Pay particular attention to tubular magazines to ensure that all rounds
are removed.
Identify your target and what is
behind it.
Make sure of your target before firing. It is NOT good
enough to just think that what you see is your target.
REMEMBER:
Do not fire at movement only
Do not fire at colour only
Do not fire at sound only
Do not fire at shape only
Your target must be positively identified before firing. If in doubt, Don't
shoot.
The danger range s for some of the more popular caliber's are:
Air Rifle.................................................200 metres
Shotgun....................................300 to 700 metres (depending
on shot size)
Check your firing zone with special care when shooting at birds in flight.
Shotguns need extra care because of the greater spread of pellets.
It is essential that you ensure that your sights are correctly aligned,
especially when using a telescopic sight. If your sights aren't correctly aligned, then
you may miss your target and increase the chance of hitting something that you did not
intend to hit.
Never fire at hard surfaces or
water.
Consider the area your target is in. Could a ricochet occur? A ricochet
will almost certainly result from shooting at smooth flat surfaces, water or hard
surfaces.
Weapons prone to ricochet are air rifles, rimfire rifles, and
shotguns.
Air rifles because of slow velocity of pellets.
Rimfire and centre fire rifle bullets because they lose velocity at the end of their
travel.
Shotguns because the number of pellets in a shotgun cartridge you are using, multiply
the chances of a ricochet. It takes only one pellet to cause injury. Be particularly aware
of this if you are shooting over water or over a hard flat surface.
Store weapons and ammunition
separately.
When not in use, you must secure your firearms and ammunition separately,
not only for safety reasons. This is a requirement of Queensland Law.
Firearm
safety begins at home.
As a firearms owner, you are responsible for making
absolutely sure that all the safety requirements within the home are carried out. Over the
years, a considerable number of children have been killed or injured because firearms were
left in an unsafe condition in the home. So think
when putting your firearms away.
Do not put your family or others at risk.
Do not climb fences or obstacles with
loaded firearms.
Before attempting to negotiate a fence or obstacle, unload your firearm. Do not rely on safety catches. Safety catches at
best only supplement the safe handling of firearms.
If attempting to cross a fence alone:
Unload your firearm.
Place it through the fence and lay it on the ground with the muzzle
pointing in a safe direction. Then cross the fence away from your firearm.
THINK BEFORE YOU CROSS: UNLOAD
THAT FIREARM.
If crossing a fence with a friend:
Ensure all firearms are unloaded
Use the same method as for crossing alone, or hand your unloaded firearm
to your companion and then cross the fence. Then have your companion hand to you your
unloaded firearm and his unloaded firearm.
No alcoholic drinks or
drugs/medicines.
Good judgement is the key to safe firearms
use.
When using firearms:
Avoid alcoholic drink or drugs/medicines.
Alcohol and many day to day medicines (including hard drugs and drugs
prescribed as medication) dull and slow your mental and physical reactions. At the same
time you may be unaware of this slowing and even feel you are in better control than
normal. When using firearms this is an extremely dangerous condition as the ability to
recognize and react to dangerous situations swiftly and accurately is essential.
Alcohol and drugs must never be taken
Before you go shooting, whilst you are shooting or until your firearm
has been put away safety, it is an offence in Queensland to use or be in physical
possession of a weapon whilst under the influence of liquor or a drug.
Refuse to shoot with others who are or
have been, drinking alcohol or taking drugs/medication.
Alcohol, drugs and firearms do
not mix.
Disclaimer:
Brisbane Gun Club Web Site pages do not pretend to cover all aspects of weapon usage /
storage or handling and is not a full safety guide.
Nothing can replace training from a certified trainer or course.
