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3rd COMMANDMENT
Never Rely on Your Firearm’s Safety Mechanism to Justify Careless Handling.
If your firearm is equipped with a manual safety mechanism, do not rely on the safety as an excuse for improp-
er or careless handling of the firearm. The safety mechanism is merely a supplement to your proper handling of
the firearm. The safety mechanism may be broken or altered. Even if you think you have previously engaged
the safety in the “safe” position, it may have been inadvertently disengaged without your knowledge while being
carried. Never assume that the safety mechanism is engaged in the “safe” position. Your assumption may be
wrong or mistaken. Treat your firearms safety mechanism like you would treat any other mechanical device - as
something that could break or fail.
Not all safety mechanisms operate in the same manner. Before using any firearm, know and understand pre-
cisely how the safety mechanism on that particular firearm operates. Never pull the trigger when the safety
mechanism is in the “safe” position, and keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading, unloading, and
engaging or disengaging the safety mechanism.
4th COMMANDMENT
Know Your Target and What’s Beyond It.
Never fire a shot unless you know exactly where the shot is going and what it will strike. Bullets and shot can
travel great distances with deadly velocity. When hunting game, never fire at a sound, a movement or a patch of
color - an impulsive shot can have tragic consequences. A fellow hunter in camouflage may be mistaken for
game by an impulsive shooter.
In addition to being sure of your target, you must know what lies beyond the target. In other words, make sure
of your backstop. Also, beware of ricochets - never shoot at water or a hard surface.
5th COMMANDMENT
Use Proper Ammunition.
Every firearm is designed to use only a specified caliber, gauge or length of ammunition. Use of the wrong
ammunition can cause serious personal injury or death. It is your responsibility to make sure the ammunition
exactly matches the specifications for your firearm.
Use of improperly reloaded ammunition can also be dangerous. Firearms are designed, manufactured, and
proof-tested to specified industry standards. Hand-loaded or reloaded ammunition that deviates, either inten-
tionally or accidentally, from specified loadings can be extremely hazardous. It is strongly recommended, there-
fore, that you use only factory ammunition from a reputable ammunition manufacturer. If you do reload, you
have assumed the risks and responsibilities of an ammunition manufacturer.
6th COMMANDMENT
If Your Firearm Fails to Fire When You Pull the Trigger, Handle With Care.
If a chambered round of ammunition does not fire when you pull the trigger, stop and keep the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction. Treat your firearm as if it could still discharge. Keep your face away from the breech. Slowly
and carefully open the action, return the safety mechanism to the “safe” position, and unload the cartridge from
the chamber. Dispose of the cartridge safely. If your firearm repeatedly fails to fire when you pull the trigger, take
your firearm and ammunition to a competent gunsmith or return the firearm to the manufacturer for inspection.