Fraser Coast Pistol Club Inc. info@frasercoastpistolclub.org
SEVEN BASIC RULES
Treat every firearm as loaded
Always point firearms in a safe direction
Load a firearm only when ready to fire
Identify your target
Check your firing zone
Store firearms and ammunition safely
Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms
SEVEN BASIC RULES EXPLAINED
There are seven basic safety rules:
1. Treat every firearm as loaded.
2. Always point firearms in a safe direction.
3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire.
4. Identify your target.
5. Check your firing zone.
6. Store firearms and ammunition safely.
7. Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.
Rule 1: TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
Check every firearm yourself. Pass or accept only a firearm which has the action open and is not loaded.
Do not take anyone's word that a firearm is unloaded.
'Keep your finger off the trigger; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; open the action and inspect the chamber and magazine.
If you do not know how to open a firearm, leave it alone.
If it is someone else's ask them to show you that it is empty.
Handing Firearms to Other People
Before handing over a firearm:
point the muzzle in a safe direction
open the action
check that the chamber is empty.
If someone hands a firearm to you:
Before accepting it:
ask that it is opened first
A firearm must be open and empty before you pass it on to someone, or before you accept it from anyone.
point the muzzle in a safe direction
check the chamber is empty.
Rule 2: ALWAYS POINT FIREARMS IN A SAFE DIRECTION
Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
A safe direction will depend on where you are; remember that bullets can go through walls or ceilings.
Do not let careless habits form. Think about what you are doing when handling firearms - no daydreaming.
Do not point a firearm at anyone else, or at yourself.
To avoid accidental firing or damage, firearms should never be leant against vehicles or in any place where they could slide or fall.
Always be particularly careful when placing firearms in (or removing them from) vehicles, boats and storage. Never let the muzzle point at yourself or any other person.
Moments for Special Care
Be very careful at the moments of closing the action or releasing the safety catch, uncocking or opening a loaded firearm. These are danger times when the firearm can go off by accident, so take special care.
Rule 3: LOAD A FIREARM ONLY WHEN READY TO FIRE
Only load a firearm when you intend to use it, and only in an area where it can be safely and legally discharged.
Do not load the magazine until you reach your shooting area.
Do not load the chamber until you are ready to shoot.
Unload the chamber if the game gets away.
Unload the magazine before leaving the shooting area.
Only when you have reached your shooting area should you load any ammunition into your firearm, and then only into the magazine never into the chamber.
The firearm is then carried with the bolt or action closed on an empty chamber. The
cartridges are readily available from the magazine and it is only a matter of a split
second to open the action and feed a round into the chamber. If the opportunity to shoot at game does not occur, perhaps because the animal runs away, the round should be removed from the chamber. Put it back in the magazine and close the bolt on an empty chamber.
The Importance of Unloading Completely
You must unload completely before leaving the shooting area or entering a hut or camp. This is important because you could have loaded your firearm and then for some reason not fired the round. Empty the magazine and then check again that the chamber is empty. Never rely on safety catches. In most cases they lock the trigger or the bolt but, like all mechanical things, they are subject to wear and tear and may not work properly. Use the safety catch only as a supplement to safe handling.
Because it is not practical to apply this rule to semi-automatic shotguns and rifles, it is recommended that when you have seen or expect to flush game at any moment you load the firearm and place the previously tested safety catch on safe. If you release the safety catch but decide not to shoot, then re-apply the safety catch. Whenever a round is in the chamber you must be absolutely sure that the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction. Test the safety catch before loading any ammunition into the chamber. If you have any doubt about the safety catch don't trust it. Have it checked by a gunsmith. Never use live ammunition to check the mechanism. Dummy ammunition can be used to test actions.
Dummy ammunition consists of a normal projectile and case but the case is empty. There is no propellant powder and no primer in it. Blank ammunition is quite different. A blank round has a small charge of propellant and a primer and will fire, making a loud bang but not firing a projectile. Be warned, however, that it is dangerous to fire a blank cartridge near, or at, any person. Although there is no bullet, a wad is often discharged. People have been killed through being struck by the wad from a blank cartridge.
Rule 4: IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET
Your target must be positively identified before firing; if in doubt, don't shoot.
Never fire until you are absolutely certain.
Do not fire at movement only
Do not fire at colour only
Do not fire at sound only
Do not fire at shape only
When a hunter is keyed up and possibly fatigued, perception can play tricks. It is possible to think you see what you expected to see. Objects even people may look like game animals. You may not know of other hunters nearby. They may make noises imitating the calls of game. Even the definite sight of skin and antlers is not positive enough hunters have been shot while carrying a deer. In the early morning or late evening it is not easy to see because of dim light. Be sure you have clearly identified your target before you shoot. Keep your finger away from the trigger until you are absolutely certain it is safe to fire. Bright coloured gear is easily seen against the bush, but don't expect bright clothing and equipment to save you from danger if another hunter does not properly identify their target.
Telescopic sights and binoculars help you to identify your target.
When using them, however, beware of the tunnel vision effect of the telescope, which limits your view to each side. Sweep the telescope or binoculars from side to side to ensure no person is close to your field of fire.
Rule 5: CHECK YOUR FIRING ZONE
THINK! What could happen if you miss your target?
You must think about what you could hit in the area between you and your target and in the area beyond your target. Extreme range for projectiles may be as much as:
.22 rimfire 1.5 kilometres .308 calibre 4.5 kilometres Airgun up to 400 metres Shotgun from 250 metres to 750 metres depending on the type of cartridge. A charge of shot from a shotgun has a wide spread, particularly at longer ranges. When shooting near thick bush or scrub extra care should be taken because you may not be able to see all of your firing zone.
Ricochets can be caused by any flat or hard surfaces, rocks, snow, trees and even water! Be especially careful in rocky river beds. Bear in mind that when you follow a moving target with your firearm your firing zone changes rapidly. Be sure of the position of other hunters so that, as you swing the muzzle around in an arc, they are not caught in the path between your firearm and the target, or even beyond the target. This applies particularly when shooting with shotguns. Duck shooters sharing a maimai can drive vertical poles into the ground to prevent an over-swing endangering a companion.
If you are using telescopic sights you are able to see much further, but your vision to each side is much narrower. As a result there is a greater danger of persons moving into your firing zone without you noticing. Do not shoot at night unless you are absolutely certain it is safe to do so. Obviously, shooting at night is dangerous because you cannot see all of your firing zone. Remember that a spotlight lights up only a small part of the firing zone and only a fraction of the projectile's range. It is forbidden to shoot during the hours of darkness in any State forest, forest park, or national park: a permit can be obtained for shooting in the day time only.
Setting of Sights
It is important for sights to be correctly set; if not, rounds may fall short or go far beyond the target. Sights should be adjusted for distances suitable for the calibre and intended use.
The following points need careful thought:
Never fire when companions are ahead of you.
Never shoot when stock, human activity or buildings are around.
It is unsafe to shoot at a target on the skyline. Remember that many hunting areas have rural and urban developments close by.
Night shooting is dangerous, especially if using telescopic sights. Spotlights light up only a small part of the firing zone.
Use extra care when shooting at a moving target, particularly with telescopic sights, because your field of view is limited.
Rule 6: STORE FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SAFELY
When not in use, lock away the unloaded firearm and ammunition separately.
A complete firearm may be dangerous in the wrong hands. If the bolt and ammunition are removed and stored separately, the firearm can not be fired. So think when putting your firearm away. You must have a safe place to store your firearms.
Children have been killed or injured because firearms were not unloaded and locked away safely in the home. Firearms locked away out of sight will also help prevent removal by thieves.
Make sure that both the chamber and the magazine are empty.
Remove the bolt and magazine where possible. Lock these away separately from the firearm.
Clean and oil the firearm before storing it.
For lever, pump or semi-automatic firearms, you may not be able to remove the action. Break-open types can be dismantled. Trigger-locking devices are recommended for firearms which can not be taken apart.
Store firearms and ammunition separately, out of the reach of children, out of view in a special cabinet.
Make sure that all family members, especially children, know what a firearm is, what it is designed for, and why it must not be touched or moved.
On the other hand, letting children handle firearms when you are supervising them may help to satisfy their natural curiosity. It is essential that children realise that real firearms are not playthings and must be treated with respect.
When you intend to use your firearm in the field or on a shooting range, check that:
it is not loaded
the barrel is not blocked
the grease and oil is removed from the barrel and action
the ammunition is correct for the firearm.
Rule 7: AVOID ALCOHOL OR DRUGS WHEN HANDLING FIREARMS
Alcohol and some drugs even if prescribed, dull and slow your mental and physical reactions. This is very dangerous because you must be able to think clearly when using firearms.
Alcohol and drugs must never be taken just before you go shooting, while you are shooting, or until your firearm has been put safely away.
Don't shoot with others who are, or have been, drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF FIREARMS
OWNERS/USERS
The Arms laws require that you:
PRODUCE YOUR LICENCE WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO BY MEMBER OF POLICE. If you don't have your licence with you when asked, A you may be given 7 days in which to produce it to the Police.
NOTIFY THE POLICE IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS OF A CHANGE IN YOUR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
Forms for this purpose are included in the weapons act.
NOTIFY THE POLICE WHENEVER ANY FIREARM YOU OWN IS LOST OR STOLEN You should record the make, model and serial number of your firearms.
GIVE YOUR FULL NAME, ADDRESS AND DATE OF BIRTH IF REQUESTED BY THE POLICE WHEN YOU ARE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM. Refusal to give these details, or giving false details, can lead to arrest.
ENSURE THAT ANY PERSON TO WHOM YOU SELL A FIREARM IS THE HOLDER OF A FIREARMS LICENCE.
Also has a require a permit to acquire issued by the Police.
RANGE SAFETY RULES
1. All persons on a range must obey the instructions of the Range Officer immediately and without argument.
2. Firearms must be handled very carefully and be stored or carried with the actions open at all times.
3. You must not handle other persons firearms and ammunition without their permission, except when a Range Officer or other responsible official thinks they
have been left in a dangerous manner or position and directs you to shift them.
4. All firearms used on a range must be in good mechanical condition.
5. Firearms may be loaded only on the Range Officer's instructions, and every shooter must make sure that the muzzle of his firearm is pointed in a safe direction at all times.
6 Only the group actually shooting may be on the firing point, and all must remain there until released by the Range Officer.
7. If the Range Officer gives the command Cease Fire, all firing must stop immediately. All shooters must extract cartridges from the chamber and leave all bolts and actions open.
8. Shooters must make sure that no cartridges are left in the firearm when they've finished firing. The Range Officer must inspect each firearm to check complete unloading before releasing the shooters from the firing point. Special rules apply to muzzle-loader shooting.
9. Any breach of the safety rules, or unsafe firearm condition, must be reported to the Range Officer.
10. No shooter may fire on the range while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
11. Safety glasses and ear protectors should be worn.
12. Visitors and children must be closely supervised on ranges.
On a rifle range there are strict rules and a range officer is in charge. In the hunting situation you are not under such control. Even so, accidents should never happen. If every member of a hunting party took notice of the basic firearms safety code, especially Rule 2, Always point firearms in a safe direction, shooting mishaps should not be possible.
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