KEEP YOUR SIGHTS ON SAFETY SAFE USE OF FIREARMS Good sport Good exercise Relaxation Tests skill Develops companionship Gives pride of accomplishment May provide food There are more than 14 million licensed hunters in the United States. Nearly 205,000 Americans enjoy other sport and competition shooting. Americans own 50 to 60 million guns. There were 2,275 fatalities and 120,- 000 injuries due to accidents with firearms in 1964. Sponsors: The National Safety Council and the U. S. Department of Agriculture with the coopera- tion of other agencies promoting safety among farm people. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE '<< nu^ *-«« A«s if Loaded Treat Every ««» ^* " .,.:_„ .,^.1 Hnn't intend 1 •eat »wt5»j " — never point a gun at anyt.n. you do., intend .0*00.. ^ "-^ t°"rcarf- an':Sed gun ,ou .i.n. .e ca,e,ess If you become careiei^^ Sing°w?^'i- is dangerous anywhere, any.ime. ._xrt-fc3^4?4 Tips for Hunters • Wear bright, blaze-orange hat and vest so you can be seen easily by other hunters. • When crossing fence alone, unload the gun and lay it down. Get over fence, then retrieve gun, stock first. • When crossing fence with a companion, have one person hold both guns with muzzle up while the other gets over the fence. • Unload the gun or open the action before you cross or jump a ditch or small stream. • Keep muzzle pointed forward, either up or down, not horizontal, while carrying gun. • Constantly check area for other people, houses, and livestock. • Keep gun barrel free of snow, mud or other restrictions. • Know the location of your companions at all times. • Be sure it's game before you aim. Be Physically Capable and MentaUy Alert • Don't use firearms when fatigued, ill or taking strong medicines. • A well rested shooter is both more accurate and safer. • Alcohol and gunpowder don't mix! ,. _, ^ t,,^ • Persons with serious physical impairments such as heart trouble vfsual defects or shakiness should not use firearms without consultmg physician and taking adequate precautions. Use the Right Ainmuniti on • Don't mix cartridge sizes together at any time I cTnnlZT ^^'^^"'■tion made for your caliber and type of gun • Choose the most effective type of ammunition for your purpose' Don't Fire an Unsafe Gnn • Keep your gun well maintained and in good operating condi- tion. Have a gunsmith make any needed repairs. • Shotguns with Damascus, lami- nated or twisted steel barrels may be dangerous with modern ammunition. • Old guns or second-hand guns may have defective actions — make sure they are "tight" and operating properly before using. • Be careful about some firearms brought back from foreign countries after World War II — many have thin barrels that won't take modern ammuni- tions. ««ady... Aim. ..Fire! ^ vol ™';fi?;^?"''*^''g«t before you pul/ the trigger other flat, hard surfaces from which bullets coufd nco?hJr tolfe^^uf *^" °" ""«' -^«*y YHien Yon've Finislied Sliooting . . . • Remove magazine and any cartridge from chamber. • Be sure barrel is empty and clean. • Leave action open, on "safe" or with firing pin released. • If you lay the gun down, lay it flat with action open — don't lean it against a tree, wall or car. When ammuni- • Remove t/on. M '" safe direction S'Si,^"" so i, 'tli/il"" "- Keep Ouldren, Guns and Ammunition Apart • Be sure firearms are unloaded. • Store firearms in a locked cabinet or a place inaccessible to children. • Store ammunition in a separate locked location. • Instruct children to leave firearms alone and never to play with them. U.S. FIREARM FATALITIES (ACCIDENTS) IN 1964- Home 1,175 Farm 238 Streets and highway 96 Public buildings 69 Industrial location 22 Recreation and sport 18 Mine and quarry 14 Resident institution 5 Other specified place 354 Not specified 284 Total 2,275 * Includes dynamite, bombs and grenades (less than 3%) STUDY OF 173 HOME ^ ^^^^ °®^^^ ^^47 Gun discharged by: Another Place and activity Total Victim Person* Playing with gun 49 18 31 Examining or demonstrat- ing gun 25 9 16 Cleaning or repairing gun 22 14 8 Russian roulette 11 11 — Picking up or setting down gun 9 9 — Loading or unloading gun_ 9 7 2 Tripping or falling with guns 7 6 1 Scuffling for possession of gun 5 14 Total 173 sT 77** * 15 cases were unspecified ** Member of victim's family in 43 cases (From Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. Statistical Bulletin) Of 7,530 hunting casualties reported to the National Rifle Association, the following were the 12 major causes of the accidents: Victim out of sight of shooter 1,075 Victim covered by shooter swinging on game 827 Shooter stumbled and fell 714 Victim mistaken for game 655 Victim moved into line of fire 429 Trigger caught on brush or other object 331 Removing weapon from or placing in vehicle 291 Ricochet 278 Defective weapon 274 Weapon fell from insecure rest 224 Riding in vehicle with loaded weapon 223 Crossing fence or other obstacle with loaded weapon 216 Tips for Boiuemakers: • Understand how the firearm "safety" works — how to unload and check for load. • Don't let anyone leave a gun lying around the house or standing in a corner. Have user put it in safe storage. • Teach all members of your family respect for guns. • Be sure guns and ammunition are stored separately and kept locked. • Remember, almost half of firearm victims are under 20 years of age, and 9 out of 10 victims are males. You can help protect your loved ones. April 1967 A U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1967 0—256-012