Like it or not, the United States of America has a thriving gun culture. The personal right to keep and bear arms is a right that is deeply American in nature. Historically, Americans have been very well-armed for a variety of purposes. Reuters estimates that 34 percent of citizens own firearms [2007], and the NRA-ILA estimates that 40-45 percent of households own firearms [2011]. Given those estimates, it is highly likely that you will encounter a gun at some point in your life, even if you are the most anti-gun person you know.

While there are many people who know how to handle a firearm safely, there are many people who pretend they know how to handle a firearm. In my opinion, it’s the latter category that poses the biggest danger to themselves and people around them. Somebody might think they know how to operate a firearm because they watch action movies and play video games, but I beg of you, do not think this makes you any better prepared to operate a firearm. Overconfidence, ignorance and carelessness are the causes of easily avoidable — potentially deadly —mistakes.

By themselves, firearms are just inanimate objects, but they demand the utmost respect. If you encounter a gun (be it at a friend’s house, gun store or otherwise), do not assume it is safe, and never attempt to handle it without a good understanding of its operation. The NRA lays out three simple rules to guide safe firearm use:

• Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Personally, I treat this as if the gun is going to go off at any time. This forces you to point the gun in a direction that will minimize damage should anything go wrong. Anything that crosses in front of the barrel could be instantly destroyed. Always treat the gun as if it is loaded.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. Trigger discipline is extremely important, and one of the easiest mistakes new people make. From all the movies, it seems right to instantly put your finger on the trigger when holding a gun. This is incredibly dangerous. Put your finger along the frame or off to the side instead. My favorite summarization of this rule: “Keep your booger hook off the bang switch.” 
• Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. The first thing you should do when picking up a gun is make double sure that it is unloaded. If you do not know how to check, do not handle it, and ask for help. If the firearm has a safety mechanism, leave it on until you are ready to shoot. When putting a gun away, again make double sure that there is no ammunition in the firearm. It is a good idea – especially if you have kids – to keep your firearms in a locked container or safe, and to store ammunition separately.

Shooting can be fun and safe for everyone involved if these rules are observed. If you are considering owning a gun in the future or if you have a gun you do not feel very comfortable using, please sign up for a safety class. Minimizing risk of accidents is a reason well worth the time and money you invested improving yourself. Check the Ames Izaak Walton League website for upcoming local safety classes  —www.amesikes.org.

I hope I have given you a better understanding of firearm safety, and hopefully this has helped you avoid potentially dangerous situations in the future. When it comes to firearms, proper handling is literally a matter of life and death, but with proper experience and instruction, safety will become second nature. Have fun, be responsible and stay safe.