Americans bought more guns this holiday season than ever before. The FBI says they processed a record number of background checks on Black Friday (about 2 per second!), so it’s safe to say that some of you got a gun for Christmas. It’s also likely that some of you are brand new gun owners. Welcome to the club!
But before you run outside and start shooting your new gun like Ralphie on Christmas morning, there’s a few things you should know. First of all, I highly recommend you get some professional training. The NRA has nearly 100,000 instructors around the country. Use this form to choose a course and find a local instructor.
This is for your safety, the safety of others, and the reputation of gun owners in general. The last thing we need is another irresponsible gun owner accidentally shooting someone. News stories like that just give more ammo to the people who would like to ban guns altogether. Here are some questions to ask before buying a firearm.
With all that in mind, here are 9 dangerous mistakes that new gun owners often make:
1. Failing to Safety Check
This one should be obvious: Whenever you pick up a gun, ALWAYS check the chamber or cylinder to confirm that it isn’t loaded. This needs to become an unbreakable habit. Be sure to safety check a gun if even when the individual who hands you the gun just checked it themselves.
2. Not Pointing the Gun in a Safe Direction
This is another obvious one. Even if you’ve already safety checked the weapon, you should still treat it as if it’s loaded and keep the muzzle in a safe direction at all times until you’re ready to fire. Some people might think this is a little paranoid, but a lot of accidental shootings happened when someone was convinced the gun wasn’t loaded.
3. Not Indexing
This is another important gun safety technique that we’ve all been taught but that too few people abide by. There are many firearm accidents that could have been prevented had the user of the gun remembered to keep their finger above the trigger rather than on it.
Never wrap your finger around the trigger until the weapon is pointed downrange and you’re ready to fire. Make it a habit to index every time.
4. Improper Storage
It’s very unwise to store your guns out in the open where kids or burglars have easy access to them. Instead, keep your weapons locked in a safe or at the very least, hidden somewhere no one will see them. Of course, you might want a firearm in an easy-to-reach location in case there’s a home invasion.
The quick and easy solution is to carry your gun around your house while you’re awake and keep it on your nightstand while you sleep. I have a Gunvault next to my bed because it’s easy to open in the dark.
5. Lack of Personal Training
If you buy your first gun and can’t accurately shoot it, conduct a reload, clear a malfunction, or holster it based on muscle memory, then you better start practicing and seeking professional training from a certified instructor. Otherwise, you won’t be very well prepared for emergency situations.
In order for an action to become muscle memory, studies show that you’ll need to conduct at least a thousand repetitions of it. Use fake ammo to practice clearing jams, and buy at least 1,000 rounds of ammo for practicing your skills on the range.
6. Failing to Educate Family Members
Oftentimes firearm accidents aren’t caused by the owner of the weapon, but by a family member of that owner. Educate your spouse or significant other and your children about guns. They should come to respect them, not to be afraid of them.
Teach everybody in your household to index, point the gun in a safe direction, and safety check it before instructing them on how to shoot on the range (after you’ve mastered the weapon yourself). Keep in mind that children are naturally curious about guns, but they should still know that they are off limits when you’re not around.
7. Wrong Ammunition
It’s actually shocking how many accidents happen annually simply because people use the wrong type of ammunition in their guns. For example, 5.56x45mm NATO firearms can shoot .223 Remington ammo but not the other way around (even though the two calibers are almost identical).
Firing the wrong ammunition can potentially cause the firearm to explode in your hands. It’s also important that you know the differences between different variations of the same diameter of bullet. For example, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, and .45 Long Colt are NOT interchangeable because although they’re the same caliber, the casings are different.
8. Wrong or Cheaply Made Holsters
You should never use a two dollar holster for a five hundred dollar or more gun. A cheaply made holster won’t adequately protect your gun and will fall apart very quickly. In addition, confirm that your holster is made SPECIFICALLY for your same make, model, and caliber of gun.
For example, sometimes holsters are different for 9mm and .45 versions of the same gun because the frames of the guns are different. If you use an incorrect holster, it’s possible to accidentally fire a shot while trying to wrestle your gun out of it. Conduct plenty of research before buying a holster for your gun.
9. Not Learning About Firearm Laws
It’s your responsibility to research the local, state, and federal gun laws that are relevant to you. If you plan on conceal carrying your new gun, find out what it takes to obtain a concealed carry license. Additional laws that are your responsibility to find out include whether your state is a stand your ground state, whether your state has any prohibitions on certain guns or magazine capacities, how many guns your local city allows its inhabitants to own, and so on.
Yes, many gun laws are ridiculous and far too overreaching, but for now you still have to obey them to avoid fines or worse. The good news is that firearm laws are very easy to research online, and anything you don’t learn on your own you should be taught by a firearms instructor.
Rex says
August 12, 2018 at 11:35 pmGreat ideas on Gun Safety. Things you missed however. When storing a gun. Even if you have children. Make sure your gun has a gun lock. So the children can’t use the gun. Make sure No bullets are not in the gun chamber. No bullets. Gun is worthless. Lastly hide your gun in a secret place where your gun cannot be found by others. And never – ever reveal to anyone where your gun is located except your wife if she knows how to use it. Lastly try and keep your gun cleaned after you use it. And keep it cleaned and oiled weekly. Cleaning the gun and oiling it keeps it from exploding from degree in barrel. And keeps it from getting Rusty. Make sure you use the oil lightly. Too much oil is bad for the gun. As it puts buildup in the gun. Just remember 1 thing. You take care of your gun. And it will take care of you when you need it.
Roger Andout says
September 12, 2017 at 8:51 amI’m new to the term “indexing” also, but it’s a very handy way to avoid repeatedly having to say “never place your index (firing) finger on the trigger…….etc” once it’s been explained to you. Furthermore, it’s a good measure of the level of professionalism/awareness an individual has.
Ivy Baker says
March 15, 2017 at 7:32 pmI have been thinking about getting myself a rifle for this year’s hunting season. So, I like that you talked about how you need to storing guns properly. I should probably look into getting a gun safe along with it.
Jack Marsh says
February 21, 2017 at 5:22 pmYes, I had never heard it before either.
Jack
Nils says
February 14, 2017 at 2:53 pmRule #1 Solves all subsequent problems. Don’t get a gun.
Trace Young says
October 27, 2018 at 1:14 amAgreed, however the precursor socioeconomic rationale for owning a fiream is likely to cause risks of not owning a gun ti exceed the inherent risks of owning a gun. Most folks don’t consider the fact that a failure in the food supply chain will cause starving people to do things that they would otherwise never remotely consider. I am not a gun advocate and I believe that the risks of owning a firearm are very real. I do not feel comfortable owning a firearm, practicing to increase my firearm proficiency or carrying a weapon in public (concealed). With that said, I believe that the potential downside of not owning a firearm for personal defense may soon outweigh the downside of owning firearms for ‘fun’ or hunting, or for any purpose real or imagined.
I finally bought a compact 9mm pistol and carry it with me at all times because IMO, a ‘grid down’ or ‘lack of food or water’ scenario will almost certainly increase my odds for becoming a target for those that are starving, watching their children starve, or otherwise unable to obtain the basic necessities of life.
I consider myself a law abiding citizen and find the use of guns abhorrent but I also realize that if I was starving I would not hesitate to ask a neighbor for a little help. Given that very few citizens have acquired even a modicum of survival supplies, I suspect that many otherwise upstanding citizens may end up resorting to violence if they or their family are literally dying of starvation.
In this scenario I do not want to be at the mercy of desperate people that could be willing to use fireams to obtain my resources. I feel that owning a firearm for self defense will significantly increase my odds for surviving a disaster scenario that leads to widespread desperation.
Christopher Citty says
April 23, 2016 at 12:54 pmI’d like to add #10, if I may..
#10. Assuming that having a gun makes your problems go away.
Yes, owning and handling a weapon, really, any weapon, can feel very empowering and give you confidence. This isn’t just about learning how a gun is used, and how it is not used. This is basic attitude. A lot of people buy a gun for the wrong reason, or for the right reason but assume ownership itself is going to ‘fix’ whatever’s broken for them. Like anything in life, you must have a plan, and you must fit ownership of a weapon into that plan. Don’t make assumptions. That is often what leads to having your gun taken from you by an intruder or mugger. Not anticipating what could happen. Assuming that the gun will do the work, and you don’t have to do your part.
Also, this is common sense, but be aware that not everyone in your house or your circle of friends is going to feel the same way about your gun. You may be responsible, law-abiding, and have good intentions. That doesn’t mean your cousin, sister, brother, nephew, uncle, aunt, neighbor, etc., is going to be as noble. Don’t flash it around. The fewer people who know you have one, and where it is, the better.
Joseph A. Ramirez says
May 22, 2016 at 2:19 pmChristopher Citty-I’d like to add #10, if I may..
Amen to that brother.
Ronald Parks says
August 2, 2016 at 10:00 pmWell said, Christopher.
Luigi Loin says
February 13, 2017 at 9:31 amWow, good common sense – what a pity that common sense isn’t that common!
arrowshooter says
March 20, 2016 at 7:53 amGreat article, but you need to define “index” better. I have been around guns for 50 years, been an NRA firearms instructor, spent an enlistment in the Army Reserve, competed in smallbore and high power rifle, shot tens of thousands of rounds and read hundreds of gun magazines. This article is the first I place I have ever seen or heard the term “index.”
Christopher Citty says
April 23, 2016 at 12:58 pmAgreed, but I’ve seen the term used a few places. The conventional logic is the same, though, term-used or a different one. Don’t put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. A mechanical safety is great, but can fail. You want there to be as few opportunities for an accident to happen as possible. That’s why we have these rules. Don’t point it at people. Make sure when it’s loaded or not. Keep finger off trigger, etc.
Michael says
December 9, 2018 at 10:52 pmAgreed!
I was in Cabelas this afternoon and a gentleman was handling a rifle with ME in his line of fire. I politely asked him to not ever place me or anyone in the line of fire, EVEN if he believed the weapon was empty.
Accidents do happen!
Amazed but not surprised that individuals aren’t aware of basic gun safety when handling firearms.
Russell says
March 7, 2018 at 8:30 pmLikewise, I never heard the term before this article. I did, however,,immediately know what it was. Immediately.
telescreen says
January 4, 2016 at 8:08 pmAlso, know federal law on guns sales especially if you sell at gun shows. ATF routinely sets up straw man buyers to entrap the ignorant. It’s an easy felony that will cost gun ownership for life even if it was a mistake. San Bernadino shooter had a strawman. So instead of going after muslim jihadi’s, expect the feds to target ordinary gun owners.
Stewpedaso says
January 4, 2016 at 11:15 amKnow your gun…take it apart and put it back together a few times till you are comfortable about every piece. Clean it often even when not in use. Just to get that out there