Non User of Firearms

Canyon Hills 92532

You may have seen or handled your father's revolver when you were younger. But the newer semiautomatic handguns don't look like the revolver and you have no idea how to handle them. Also, you may be fearful of firearms or you just don't want to be around any firearms.

Federal statistics show that firearms are in approximately 50% of all US households. If you have a child or a grandchild, they could come in contact with a gun at a neighbors house.

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program will teach small children to Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area, and Tell an Adult. If the child turns to you for help, it will be your responsibility to secure the firearm until someone else can help you . If you don't want to touch it, stand over it and call your local Law Enforcement for assistance. With a simple understanding of firearms you can feel comfortable in taking control .

Do not delegate this task to a child because you are afraid of weapons.

Always point the firearm in a safe direction.

Keep your finger off the trigger. Keep your finger pointed straight on the outside of the firearm, above the trigger guard.

Unload the gun. You don't need to do this if you don't know about guns. Just wait for help. If you know how to do this, you drop the magazine, then rack the slide to eject the bullet in the chamber. Keep you finger straight and off the trigger. Then, pull back the slide to verify that no ammo is in the chamber and the magazine has been removed. With a revolver, release the cylinder, press the eject rod and all of the cartridges should fall out of the cylinder. Remember to always point the firearm in a safe direction. Take your time and think thru each step. Then follow the next step, "Treat the firearm as if it were loaded".

Treat the firearm as if it were loaded.

If in doubt, call your local Law Enforcement for help.

If you want to learn more, I direct you to www.springfieldarmory.com and select the operation manual for the XD style and the 1911 style pistols. Or you can go to another firearm website. You can identify the muzzle, the magazine release button, the magazine, the slide, the ejection port, the slide lock (this is hard to use if you are not familiar with the gun). The XD style and the Glock firearms use a grip safety and a trigger safety. Once your hand is firmly on the grip of the gun and your fingers are on the trigger, your gun is ready to fire. Don't "muzzle your hand", that means cover the business end of the gun with your hand. Keep a good grip on the gun, but keep your finger straight and off the trigger. Don't try and handle the gun with two fingers because you are skittish or afraid. Keep control.  Always point the firearm in a safe direction. The slide may be difficult to operate for a new user. Wait for help if you are uncomfortable.

On a revolver, keep your finger off of the trigger and look for the cylinder release, which is usually on the left side directly behind the cylinder. The cylinder should pop out to the left. In the center of and in front of the cylinder is a bar that when pushed to the rear causes all the cartridges to be ejected. You should visually inspect the cylinder to be sure that all cartridges have been ejected. Some revolvers break open by operating a release at the top of the revolver causing it to hinge open.

Perhaps you know someone that has experience with firearms that could show you how to operate them so you would be familiar with handling them.

With a little instruction and practice you should feel able to control the situation. If you child came to you with a large kitchen knife, a box of matches, or a power tool, you probably would feel comfortable with handling them. You need to feel the same comfort when handling a firearm.

Material Copyright 2010  ... Rev. 2/12/12