Gun Safety

NRA has 3 basic rules

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
3. Keep your gun unloaded until you are ready to shoot

Other rules – most apply to all clubs, some may be specific to Powder Creek

• Unless you are shooting, the gun action is to always be open so everyone knows it is unloaded
• Guns are to be pointed up in the air or down at the ground
• If you see an orange cone on the trap house, it is not safe to shoot. Someone may be loading targets.
• You must wear eye and ear protection
• The largest shot you can shoot is 7.5 and no steel shot is allowed. Use 7.5, 8.0 or 8.5
• No running
• No flip flops

SCTP Rules

• No resting muzzle on your toe
• You cannot wear earbuds if they are not noise dampening for shooting
• Earbuds may not be plugged in while shooting an event
• Parents do not yell at or coach their kids during practice

Storing and using guns

• Guns should not be accessible to unauthorized people – Use safe or trigger locks
• Be aware that there are some types of guns that require additional precautions – ie release triggers
• Regular cleaning is important
• Be sure the gun is unloaded
• No ammo should be in the cleaning area

Ammunition

• Common gauges are 12, 20, 28 and .410, 12ga is the largest, .410 is the smallest
• A smaller gauge shell can fit into a larger gun and block the barrel – causing the gun to explode if a second shell is put in and fired.
• Do not keep more than one gauge of shell on you at a time

Understand how your gun works

• Become familiar with your gun so that you are very comfortable with how it works.

Malfunctions

Failure to fire

1. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction
2. Wait 30 seconds before trying to eject the shell – The primer could still go off
3. Raise your hand if working will a coach to let them know there is a problem
4. Examine the primer to see if it has been dented

If the gun fired but sounded strange/muffled, the barrel needs to be checked for obstruction. The wad could be stuck in the barrel. If so, a rod needs to be used to clear the barrel.

Other reasons your gun may not have fired

• Safety was on
• Over/under shotgun selector switch could have been in the wrong position
• The bolt may not have been closed all the way
• Broken firing pin or other broken part of the gun