Budweiser, RMEF Remind Hunters of Safety Responsibilities

MISSOULA, Mont.--With hunting seasons nearing, Budweiser and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation–two longtime partners in wildlife conservation and responsible outdoor recreation–are reminding hunters of three fundamental rules for safe gun handling:

1.    Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
This is the most basic rule of firearm safety. Never allow a gun to point toward people or anything you do not intend to shoot. Whether you are loading or unloading, carrying or cleaning, inspecting a scope or dry firing, no injuries or damage can occur if the gun is pointed in a safe direction. The safe direction may be up, down or to one side–and may change frequently–depending on the situation. Remain vigilant at all times.

2.    Keep your finger off the trigger
Always treat guns as if they’re loaded and never touch the trigger until you’re ready to fire. Do not rely on a gun’s safety to prevent it from firing and do not handle a gun carelessly simply because the safety is on. A safety is a mechanical device that could malfunction, so consider it merely a supplement to safe gun handling. Until you’re ready to shoot, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun.

3.    Unload your firearm when not in use
Firearms should only be loaded when you are ready to shoot, whether you’re in the field or at the shooting range. Once it’s loaded, don’t lean a gun against anything, as it could fall with enough force to discharge. Also never cross a fence, climb a tree, get into a blind or perform any physically awkward action with a loaded gun. Unload your gun as soon as you are finished shooting. Keep your gun’s action open when not in use.

Kevin C Paulson
Founder and CEO
HuntingLife.com
http://www.HuntingLife.com

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