Ruger Hunting Equipment - Manual (Page 41)

42
THE BASIC RULES OF SAFE FIREARMS HANDLING
We believe that Americans have a right to purchase and use firearms for lawful
purposes. The private ownership of firearms in America is traditional, but that
ownership imposes the responsibility on the gun owner to use his firearms in a
way which will ensure his own safety and that of others. When firearms are used in
a safe and responsible manner, they are a great source of pleasure and satisfaction,
and represent a fundamental part of our personal liberty.
Firearms do not cause accidents! Firearms accidents are almost always found to
have been the result of carelessness, or ignorance on the part of the shooter of the
basic rules of safe gun handling.
The following rules must be observed by gun users at all times. Safe gun handling
is not just desirable, it is absolutely essential to your safety, the safety of others, and
the continuation of gun ownership and sport shooting as we know it today.
1. LEARN THE MECHANICAL AND HANDLING
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FIREARM YOU ARE USING.
Not all firearms are the same. The
method of carrying and handling
firearms varies in accordance with the
mechanical provisions for avoiding
accidental discharge and the various
proper procedures for loading and
unloading. No person should handle
any firearm without first having
thoroughly familiarized himself with
the particular type of firearm he is
using, and with safe gun handling in
general.
2. ALWAYS KEEP THE
MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION.
Be sure of the bullet stop behind your
target, even when dry-firing. Never let
the muzzle of a firearm point at any
part of your body or at another person.
This is particularly important when
loading or unloading a firearm. In the
event of an accidental discharge, no
injury can occur as long as the muzzle
is pointing in a safe direction. A safe
direction means a direction which will
not permit a discharged bullet to strike
a person, or to strike an object from
which the bullet may ricochet.
RUGER
®
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE
USING THIS FIREARM.