Gift of firearm carries multiple responsibilitiesEnrolling in hunter education course, safety locks help prevent gun accidentsby Owen Schroeder
Hunting and shooting are popular outdoor activities and many people will find a gun under the Christmas tree Sunday morning. For some, the gift will be their first firearm, and for others it will be a welcome addition to their gun collection.
Although firearms make memorable gifts, there is an accompanying responsibility that goes along with the gift, especially if there are young shooters involved.
The gift of a firearm is one that comes with strings attached, regardless of the age of the recipient. Rifles, shotguns, pistols and muzzleloaders can provide a lifetime of enjoyment for the shooter, but they are not toys and safety must be observed at all times, whether the gun is in use or in storage.
The giver has a responsibility to ensure that the receiver knows the rules of firearms safety. The receiver has a similar responsibility to comply with those rules.
One of the best ways to ensure that firearms are used safely is to enroll in a hunter education course conducted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or another state wildlife department. These free courses are scheduled throughout the year and they are generally open to anyone age 10 or older.
Successful completion of an approved hunter education course is required in Tennessee for all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1969. Most other states have similar requirements, while some require that all hunters, regardless of age, successfully complete a hunter education course. All persons desiring to hunt at Fort Campbell must provide proof of successful completion of a hunter education course in order to obtain a Post Hunting Permit.
Even if you don't plan to hunt, attending a hunter education course is a valuable experience if you are a gun owner because the course provides a wealth of information on safety, shooting skills, first aid and conservation.
In fact, attending a hunter education course is a good move for everyone, gun owner or not. The course will teach respect for firearms and what to do if a gun is found or being used in an unsafe manner. This is valuable information for both youths and adults.
It is important that a person get off to the right start when they receive a firearm as a gift, even for experienced shooters. The first thing that you should do is read the manufacturer's instruction book that comes with the gun. If no book is included, contact the manufacturer and request one.
The instruction book will tell you everything you need to know about operating and maintaining the firearm, and they usually include a helpful review of safety procedures.
If there are children in the house, it is the parent's responsibility to teach their children that firearms are not toys and they should never handle a firearm, loaded or unloaded, without an adult being present.
Parents should also ensure that all firearms in the household are secure and kept out of children's reach. Trigger locks placed on the firearms will help to prevent accidents and ammunition should be stored, under lock and key, separately from the firearms.
Proper security will also help to prevent the theft of firearms, which are highly prized items sought by burglars.
Parents should supervise visiting children if there are firearms in the household. Children are naturally curious and the visitors may not have had the benefit of the firearms safety training that was given to your children.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation recommends that parents teach their children the follows rules for gun safety:
Looks like the editor left something out...Parents who take responsible action and educate their children about firearms safety can help to reduce accidental shootings among young people and help them to become responsible, safety-conscious adults.
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