Firearm Safety – What To Wear When You’re Going Shooting

If you are developing a passion for shooting, whether it is clay pigeon shooting or you’re gunning for game, you are going to need to arm yourself with not only the right gun but also the right clothes for the job. Shooting is not without risk, so you need to make sure you are wearing clothing that is suitable and comfortable, and that will protect you from all different weather conditions. Here are some of the essentials that you will need to invest in to make your shooting experience as enjoyable as possible:

Shooting Jacket 

A shooting jacket is brilliant and very useful for storing things you’ll need in the pockets such as cartridges. They are available in all sorts of styles, designs and colors so you’re bound to find one that you like. They are generally made out of thick materials such as tweed, fleece or wool. They are designed so that you still get full movement while wearing them. If the weather is warmer however, you may prefer to wear a shooting vest which has many of the same features but is armless and therefore much cooler to wear.

A Range Of Gloves & Hats 

You will need various different types of gloves depending on the weather conditions. Your fingers will get very cold indeed on a cold day out shooting, and you might put yourself at risk of chilblains which are itchy swellings that appear on the ends of your fingers after too much exposure to cold conditions. Get a set of full gloves for the really cold days, and fingerless gloves for the warmer days. Get a hat which will allow you to fit a pair of ear defenders comfortably underneath, and one that has a peak to keep the rain out of your eyes on wetter days. Caps and hats are available in all sorts of different colors and designs so you’ll easily find one to match the rest of your outfit.

Thermal Underwear & Waterproofs 

Of course, on those colder days you are going to need some extra protection, and there is no substitute for good old-fashioned thermal underwear. This sits close to your skin and retains warmth while still letting your skin breathe so that you don’t sweat. You’ll also need some good quality, lightweight waterproof trousers and a jacket for those times that the rain can’t put you off a good day out shooting. Finish off the look with a pair of sturdy boots that are suitable for crossing all sorts of terrain.

Of course, before you head out to the range you will need to make sure that you have a valid firearms license that is current and up to date. Attending a firearms license course will teach you how to safely handle guns and how to make sure you never put yourself or others at risk. Attending a course like this is a legal requirement and you won’t be allowed to shoot without your certificate. You will gain confidence and knowledge about handling firearms and you’ll be a better shot too!

Author Byline:

The author of this post, Colin Mathis, is an instructor at Ready Aim Firearms Safety Inc. which provides firearm and hunting licenses in Canada. He enjoys his job and takes his family on camping trips whenever he gets free from work. For more information about his work, visit www.firearmslessons.ca/