Why Is Gun Safety Important Essay

With the sport of hunting gradually increasing in popularity around the United States each year, hunters are finding themselves in closer proximity to other hunters than ever. Naturally, this situation creates a certain element of danger, considering the minuscule amount of safety training required for a hunting permit, and that fact that nearly every hunter in America is walking around with a loaded firearm.

Here are a few basic tips to keep you and others as safe as possible while enjoying the hunting season. These tips are based off of tried and true firearm safety "rules," and, if followed "to the T" are guaranteed to keep you and everyone safe from a tragic firearm accident.

1. Only point a firearm at something you are willing to destroy

This is the first and most important step to safe firearm handling that you will learn in nearly any gun safety course, and if followed correctly at all times, makes all the following rules

Many rifles can fire out to one thousand yards or more. A missed shot can be tragic if there is a neighborhood just a few hundred yards beyond the trees that you can not see. It is vital to explore your hunting grounds extensively and be certain of your surroundings.

4. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire

Again, this rule is based on many firearm-related accidents every year. People get into the habit of sticking their trigger finder inside the trigger guard every time they pick up a firearm. This is a terrible habit, as it can very easily cause a negligent discharge, which is when a gun is inadvertently set off.

Until the moment a shot is desired, a hunter or sportsman should keep his or her trigger finger resting along the side of a rifle or shotgun, just above the trigger guard. The trigger finger can quickly, quietly, and easily be moved into the guard and onto the trigger in the blink of an eye once you are ready to take a shot, so there is really no reason not to follow this simple safety