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Here is something you will probably never find today: a gun shooting
club in a public school. As late as the 1970s when I was in high
school, gun clubs were common. There were even gun clubs in New
York City high schools. Members would bring their .22 rifles with
them (often while riding subway trains)
for use on the range and during classroom instruction. Shooting
ranges used to built in the basements of urban schools that did
not have outside areas for use. In the last few years, merely mentioning
any kind of gun, pointing your finger like a pistol, or even biting
your Pop Tart into a shape that can be perceived by a whacko anti-gun
teacher can get you suspended from school and/or prosecuted. Anti-2nd-Ammendment
agitators are seeing to it that the Constitutionally protected rights
of you and your progeny are being denied. One of the first acts
necessary by a government wanting to wield absolute control over
its populace is to disarm the citizens and grow the police force
- nowadays it goes under the moniker of Hope and Change. History
is repleat with examples.
Straight Talk About Safe Shooting
Practical suggestions and friendly advice from a man well
qualified to conduct a Firearms Safety Program.
From New Hampshire's Physical Education Director
By Jack F. George
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Instructor Jim Dee of Olin Industries in the field with
Dover, N. H., High School students.
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Author George is State Director of Physical Education for the
State of New Hampshire. New Hampshire has established the first
school-sponsored Firearms Safety Education Program in the nation.
The project has been a cooperative effort of the State Department
of Education and the Fish and Game Department. John Dodge, Educational
Officer of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and the author
established the program in New Hampshire schools. New Hampshire's
approach to the perennial problem of guns and youngsters has received
national acclaim from many school systems in the United States as
well as from the National Rifle Association ..
Are you one of the many thousands of red-blooded Americans who
enjoy the great sport of hunting? Or perhaps you enjoy the use of
firearms through target shooting or just plain plinking. Whatever
use you have for a rifle, shotgun or pistol, make certain that you
know your firearm thoroughly.
Shooting is one of the most fascinating of hobbies. It can be
one of the safest pleasures and it can also be one of the most dangerous.
Just what should you know and what conduct is proper when you are
associated with firearms and ammunition?
Remember the safest gun is the one that is not loaded. The first
step is to be sure your gun has the "action open." By this we mean
that the firing mechanism has been withdrawn in such a manner as
to make the firearm unable to operate. Each type of gun involves
different safety conditions. The rifle is capable of carrying a
bullet a great distance. The .22 rifle can kill at a distance of
one mile! Higher powered rifles are dangerous at distance of three
miles!
Shotguns, of course, have a much shorter range, but they are
just as dangerous within that distance. Know all parts of your rifle,
shotgun or pistol. Be sure you know exactly how your safety works
be-fore you start to use the firearm. Practice using the safety
before using ammunition.
Last year 1500 Americans were killed or injured with firearms.
One third of these were people under 21 years of age. Most of these
accidents happened at close range. The greater percentage of the
casualties were careless and inexcusable. Remember when you have
a firearm in your possession - cut out the horseplay!
It seems that there are four types of would-be hunters who cause
gun accidents. These include: the careless, the untrained, the overanxious,
and lastly the improperly clothed. Are you one of these? If you
are, you can soon get out of that classification by taking the time
to obtain knowledge concerning your firearm and provide opportunity
to practice with it.
Most of us are not gunsmiths. If your gun is not working properly,
have a gunsmith check it. You are not the expert! Keep your barrel
free from obstructions. Many barrels have been known to blow up
because of dirt in this part of the gun and have caused the death
or serious injury of the person firing it.
A knowledge of ammunition and what it can do is essential in
all good shooting. Again, the wrong kind of ammunition in a firearm
can injure the operator and destroy the gun. Use only the caliber
of shell designed for your firing piece.
Proper gun handling is a "must" for the true sportsman. Treat
every gun as though it were loaded. Always point the muzzle in a
safe direction. Be sure of your target. These are rules which you
can't afford to break. They are really not so hard to learn and
practice.
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How to move gun over wall safely - the action is open.
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When you come to a wall or fence, do you. try to hurdle it in
good track and field style, with gun in hand, or do you find a safe
place for your firearm - then cross the obstruction and pick up
your gun and continue?
When game is in view, do you make every effort to get the first
shot away - the heck with accuracy and general direction - just
squeeze this one off with a prayer! Of course you don't. Careful
aim does two important things. First, it makes positive identification
of your game, and second, you wilt take home more meat for the table.
How about clothing when you hunt? Is it worth a second thought
to plan your attire? You better have the proper color of clothing
or else some trigger-happy Harry will be giving you a real case
of lead poisoning. Bright red and coal fire have been found very
successful for hunting. Don't wear brown, black or white. You're
right - these colors correspond to those of our game animals. Men
have been shot because their socks had white tops. Why? The white
stripe resembled the flag (tail) of a deer or the flash of a rabbit.
Why take a chance? Only the soldier is interested in camouflaging
himself. This is not your purpose; remember there are always more
men in the woods than deer!
Don't carry a loaded gun in your car. In most states, this is
illegal anyhow. It is dangerous to you in the first place, and you
know what? Most of our game does not travel the highways! Bullets
ricochet. It just isn't good sense to shoot on or near the highway.
Roads curve, bullets glance off obstructions and always this practice
leads to trouble.
Good common sense is really the basic ingredient for proper handling
of firearms. If you follow the Ten Commandments of Safety your association
with firearms and ammunition will always be a pleasant one. These
are:
1. Treat every gun with respect due a loaded gun.
2. Guns carried into camp or home or when otherwise
not in use must always be unloaded.
3. Always be sure barrel and action are free
from obstructions.
4. Control the muzzle of the gun, even if you
stumble.
5. Be sure of your target before you pull·
the trigger.
6. Never point a gun at anything you do not
want to shoot.
7. Unattended guns should be unloaded.
8. Never climb a fence or tree or jump a ditch
with a loaded gun.
9. Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface
or the surface of water.
10. Avoid alcoholic drinks before or during shooting.
If you are interested in complete information regarding Firearms
Safety Education, write to the National Rifle Association, 1600
Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., or talk to your high
school principal. He may have the information for you. Often, your
local Rod and Gun club is willing to work with young people in this
very important phase of safety education.
Posted November 29, 2014
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