If you choose to own or carry a handgun, it’s important to practice shooting so you’re able to use it properly if necessary. It’s possible to practice your shooting skills at home, but it’s absolutely imperative that you learn how to do so safely. The firearms safety education professionals from Gun Safety Training Pros, a premier provider of gun training online, offer some general gun safety tips as well as specific recommendations to keep you and others safe when you practice with your gun at home.
Educate Yourself & Your Family
The most important thing to do before you even think about practicing shooting at home is to thoroughly educate yourself about how to handle and shoot your gun safely. Although manual safeties and trigger locks can enhance gun safety, there’s no substitute for knowing how to use a gun responsibly and safely.
While training is usually not required to own a firearm, it’s highly recommended so you and your family can be knowledgeable about every aspect of gun safety. Find an experienced firearms trainer to teach you safe gun-handling habits, and share that information with everyone in your household. Even if you do everything you can to ensure your children won’t have access to the weapon, you should teach them basic rules, such as always treating any gun as if it’s loaded.
Store the Gun Securely
When you’re not using your firearm, always keep it stored securely in a locked device, such as a gun safe. Always store your gun unloaded, and store the ammunition in a separate place. In addition, store the gun in a hidden location that’s inaccessible to children and other unauthorized individuals.
Clean & Inspect Your Handgun Regularly
It’s essential to clean and inspect your handgun on a regular basis. If one or more parts of your gun are clogged, stuck, or not working properly, negligent discharge is a real possibility. Inspecting your handgun regularly also allows you to identify anything that should be fixed before you practice with it.
Only Practice when You’re in the Right State of Mind
Shooting practice should never be attempted if you’ve ingested any kind of mind-altering substance. If you had a couple of beers at the family picnic, your gun should be stored away safely and securely for the rest of the night. Similarly, over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair your judgment and ability to handle your gun safely. In essence, never pick up your gun to practice unless you’re fully alert and able to think clearly.
Practice Dry Firing
Dry firing is one of the best (and safest) ways for shooters to practice at home. When you dry fire, you’re simulating the act of firing your gun, but you’re doing it without ammunition. Basically, you’re doing everything you normally would to fire a shot, but there’s no ammo nearby.
Dry firing practice at home can build your confidence and shooting skills, especially if you’re a new handgun owner or only use your gun occasionally. When you dry fire, you can hone your skills at maintaining the proper stance, grip, sight alignment, and trigger control.
Know Your Surroundings
Before you practice, carefully investigate your surroundings. In many cases, a bullet won’t stop simply because it hits your intended target. It’s crucial to be aware of what’s behind and around your target when you shoot your handgun, especially when you’re practicing outside.
Whether you practice your shooting skills at home or at the firing range, the most essential part of being a responsible gun owner is knowing how to store, handle, and use it safely. Gun Safety Training Pros is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training available. If you’re looking for high-quality firearms education, we have everything you need. Contact us today at [email protected].
