Study Module 1 - Pistol Safety

026 002

People under stress undergo physiological changes which include loss of the ability to perform precise movements with the hands and fingers. At the same time, muscle strength and tension increase. Even in a training environment it is possible to see this unconscious response to stress. Individuals carrying revolvers, who are improperly trained to keep their finger on the trigger, will often exert enough pressure on the trigger to pull the hammer halfway back, without being aware that they are doing this. For these reasons, no matter what kind of gun is being used, the rule remains the same keep your finger off the trigger until your gun is on target. The proper position for the trigger finger (when not on the trigger) is on the frame of the gun, outside of the trigger guard, Be sure of your target and what is behind and beyondyour target . If you intend to fire the gun you must be sure that you have properly identified your target. Even during the stress of a real gun battle, shooting at movement or muzzle flashesor any other unidentified target is a serious error since you don't know at what you are shooting. Many police officers are shot each year by fellow officers who have not bothered to identifythe target. Those officers who work in plain, civilian clothes are at the greatest risk of being shot if they display a weapon. Just because a person is armed does not automatically makehim or her a threat a nd does not sufficiently identify that person as someone you can shoot. In darkness, you should use your flashlight to identify the potential threat. Verbal challenges may also serve to help identify a questionable person. Be aware of the area behind your intendedtarget . Even in a situation where you are justified in shooting, there may be innocent bystanders behind and beyond the intended target; the presence of these peoplemay cause you to hold your fire. Modern handgun ammunition will penetrate several interior sheetrock walls , and some bullets will pass through exterior walls and retain enough energy to kill or wound someone on the other side. If you must shoot inside a building, do not consider walls of sheet metal, sheetrock, plywood, etc. as a safe, bullet stopping back- ground. Although many consider a firing range to be a safe shooting environment, the responsibility for determining that it is safe to shoot is yours. It is possible for shooters to begin shooting when someone is still downrange behind the targets. Some firing ranges have a fairly low backstop beneath the targets and it is possible to fire bullets over the top of this backstop. A handgun bullet fired at a 30 degree angle may travel over 1/4 mile and retain enough energy to kill or wound. Since you are pointing the gun and pulling the trigger, w here and what the bullet hits is your responsibility. There are no exceptions to the above basic safety rules. If you follow these rules you cannot have a firearms "accident."