Seconds before the IDPA match was about to go hot in surrounding bays, AG & AG Founder Julianna Crowder turned to see two little kids playing on the top of the long-range impact berm. Immediately, in a voice that she has never used in her life, she yelled, “GET OFF THE BERM, GET OFF THE BERM, GET OFF THE BERM!” The entire range came to a halt as people in every direction turned and looked at her, and in shock as they saw the kids slide down the dirt. When the RSO approached the two dads, they apologized and said, “We just turned our back for a minute.” Somewhere in between the safety briefs that occur at the range, parents can create your own family safety briefing.
By Sandra Kozero. Responsible citizens who own firearms understand that this decision comes with the enormous responsibility of knowing that this chunk of metal and springs can cause serious injury, if not death, to living things. Regardless of why people own firearms, guns absolutely MUST be safely secured from the underaged, the uniformed, and the unlawful (minors, people who do not know how to safely operate firearms, and criminals). This article is aimed at protecting our children – all our children; however the same techniques can also be used to secure firearms from other unauthorized access.
The airport security process is a hassle whether you have your firearm or not. TSA agents are there to identify any breaches from intentional weapons to inadvertent mistakes of a forgotten pocket knife or shell casing. They’re just doing their job and you can make the process easier by educating yourself and following these ten tips. A good attitude and a smile goes a long way at the airport. Here are the Top 10 tips for flying with firearms.
By Tammy Hunter. There are three safe places for your self-defense pistol: (1) in your hand, (2) in your holster, or (3) locked in your safe. Once you’ve made the decision that a handgun will be part of your self-defense plan you must learn new habits and routines to ensure the 24/7 safety and security of that tool.
Anytime you are handling a firearm, you must follow the 4 Rules of Gun Safety with great care. When you’re at a range, it’s very clear what is down range, but what if you are at your home, a hotel, a classroom, or somewhere else where you have to manipulate your firearm? Rounds go through walls and can leave houses and buildings. If you’re not in a place with a proper backstop, you must establish what is a safe direction that can minimize damage if a round was accidentally discharged.
In this situation, the injured competitor had a minor wound that was able to be dressed quickly with minimal blood loss, shock, and risk of infection. However, if the wound been worse, or if there not been trauma kits immediately available, the competitor could have died. This underscores the importance of having a detailed emergency plan, rehearsing it, and discussing it at every event.
The purpose of range commands is to establish clear, concise, and standard methods of range operation in order to make things move efficiently and enhance safety. On a shooting range, in a firearms class, or in competition, commands are just that: commands! They are not suggestions or good ideas – they are words that demand a particular course of action.
There are unspoken rules of etiquette within our shooting community that should be observed at the range. Sometimes you don’t find out about them until you have done something wrong and are on the receiving end of some harsh criticism. To save you from having to learn the hard way, here are seven ways you can be a respected shooter the first time – and every time – you walk into the range.
As a community of responsible gun owners we say, “YOU! Yes, you! Secure your firearm.” Share safe storage options and educational resources with others.
Shooting is a perishable skill, so 9 months to 3 years is a long time to go without pressing the trigger. If you shoot reducing lead, noise, and contaminants; or choose safer training options for pregnant and nursing moms.