Why Firearms Training Is Important
- Firearms are an excellent tool when used properly but can be a serious risk if mishandled.
- Firearms training is essential for first-time firearm owners and experienced shooters looking to improve their safety and performance.
- Discover how quality guns, accessories, and training classes at H&H Shooting Sports can help you stay safe and improve your firing performance.
Know your firearm and how to properly use it before you head out to the gun range or out on a hunting trip. Even if you’re an avid sportsman and have already taken a firearms training course, ongoing training can be essential to staying safe and improving your shooting skills. Explore the primary reasons to choose an introductory safety course or ongoing training program at H&H Shooting Sports.
Safe Firearm Handling
Safe storage and use of your firearm need to be second-nature. There are some basic rules to remember, and continued reminders through training courses can benefit professionals and amateurs. Here are some basic rules to observe whenever you handle a gun:
- Never point at anything that isn’t a safe target.
- Always treat your firearm as loaded.
- Don’t put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to fire.
- Know where the safety mechanism and other features are on your gun.
These basic rules will go a long way in improving your overall firearm-owning experience. Some are obvious to anyone who has already handled a firearm, but all of them are easy to forget in the middle of a hunting trip or a long day at the range. Continued practice can help you enjoy these benefits.
Avoid Accidental Discharge
Firearm-related accidents continue to drop in the United States. Part of this may be improved firearm designs, but a large part is through proper education and safe handling. Accidental discharge comes when you fire a round when you didn’t think your firearm was capable of being discharged, but it can also be caused by another individual, like a child, accessing the firearm.
Help your entire family access age-appropriate firearm safety to help prevent children from touching firearms. Be sure everyone in your home understands the rules of firearm use, particularly avoiding pointing a gun at anything but a safe target.
A gun safe is a popular accessory to reduce the risk of firearm mishandling. When properly stored and locked in a safe, your gun is much less likely to be handled by a member of your family who isn’t prepared to handle firearms safely. Many safes are fireproof, so they also protect your firearm investment in the event of a house fire or even from a tornado.
Increase Confidence When Handling Your Firearm
You should have a healthy respect for your rifle, handgun, or shotgun. Fear or hesitancy, however, may create a dangerous situation. Take some time to disassemble and clean your firearm. This alone improves your familiarity with your gun and helps you gain confidence in safe handling.
Improved Performance
Firearm safety rules aren’t just about avoiding injuries and other serious issues. These rules can also help you get more out of your hunting trip or competitive shooting event. A successful hunter or competitive shooter doesn’t just know how to handle a gun safely, but also how to use it efficiently and accurately. Firearm safety equips you with the knowledge and skills to practice to enjoy the following benefits.
Reduce Cleaning Time
Mechanically inclined gun owners may need some assistance in proper cleaning steps. Your firearm owner’s manual should offer you detailed instructions in the various parts to disassemble and clean, but a firearm training course will also cover this process.
Proper cleaning is efficient and effective. Cut down the time spent wiping and lubricating your firearm and spend more time at the range or with your gun safely stored. The proper steps to clean your rifle or handgun can help you thoroughly remove contaminants and extend the lifetime of your firearm.
Improve Accuracy
Thoroughly get to know your firearm and spend time using it to improve your accuracy. Firearms training instills you with firearms training best practices. From shooting sports to hunting, increased accuracy means increased safety. Discuss scope options, how to sight in your firearm, and make a habit of routine firearms training to improve your accuracy any time you pick up your gun.
Understand the Rules of the Range
For many gun owners, a shooting range is the most common place where your firearm comes out of the case.
Use extreme caution when setting up your own target range. This isn’t possible for many individuals in urban and suburban areas, but rural homeowners may have the space required for a range. Always check your target, be sure firing on your property is allowed by the local authorities, and check to ensure no one is near your target. Observe these rules of the range whether you’re at a professional range or firing on your property.
Know Your Target
There are many approved target designs and materials, but some targets might increase risk when target shooting. Check that your target is designed to reduce ricochet. One way to do this is to use paper or cardboard targets. A mound of dirt or other suitable material behind your paper target can safely stop a fast-moving project with little chance of a ricochet.
Steel targets are popular for their durability and reusability. Angle steel targets slightly to the ground to cause any ricochet that occurs to travel directly in front of the target, safely into the ground. The appropriate angle depends on a number of factors, including your distance from the target.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Even the smallest handgun can fire a projectile at a surprising velocity. This rapid-moving object can travel great distances before it finds a target. You can’t be sure you’ll hit your mark every single time, so you need to be aware of the risks of missed shots. Never shoot toward a building or the road, even if you have a mound set up behind your target. Missing both the target and the bank can cause your shot to travel a great distance before landing in an unknown location.
Another factor of your surroundings to be aware of is other individuals. Most firing ranges don’t allow you to go out on the range, but always check the area around your range and your target before firing. The last thing you want is to fire in the direction of another shooter or bystander.
Gather Essential Safety Gear
Hearing protection and shooting glasses are the minimum safety gear required to prevent personal injury. Ask your firearm instructor about other gear to stay safe while you’re hunting or spending the day at our shooting range.
Learn More About Firearm Training with H&H Shooting Sports
Firearm training classes are crucial for your ongoing training and safety. Explore firearm safety courses at H&H Shooting Sports today to see how you can improve your shooting experience and avoid accidental injuries.
