Why is weapon "Gun" safety important

Amount of Weapons Sold a Year

• How many firearms purchased this year?
• 23 million
• How many were legally registered?
• about 4 million
• How many illegally registered?
• about 17 million sold illegally

What does this mean in regard to the safety and usage of every gun owned?

Gun Related Deaths in SC

• There has been over 1,000-gun related deaths in south Carolina and that is just the recorded statics from 2019.

• The percentage rose 39% in 3 years ( counting defense, manslaughter, and homicide)

If You Own a Firearm Do's and Don'ts

Do's

Don'ts

• Don't flaunt your weapon

• Don't leave your weapon unattended

• Don't simply hide the gun, store it properly on your person

• Make sure the weapon is legally registered

• Store the weapon properly

• Follow public and Federal guidelines when entering new places

Another 12 Golden Rules for Safe Weapon Handling

1. Always treat the gun as loaded

2. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction

3. Always keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you're ready to shoot

4. Always keep the gun unloaded till you're ready to use it

5. Never point the gun at anything you don't intend to destroy

6. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it

7. Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the gun

8. Always use the proper ammunition

9. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before loading and shooting

10. f your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, hold your shooting position for several seconds; then with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, carefully unload the gun.

11. Dont rely on the guns safety to keep it from firing

12. Be aware of your surroundings

NRA Eagle / Weapons Safety for Kids

The 4 most important rules in children gun safety.

STOP

DON'T TOUCH

RUN AWAY

TELL A GROWN UP

UofSC Policy on Firearms

UofSC Code of Conduct states:

Prohibited behaviors include unauthorized possession of weapons including firearms or weapons

of any kind including but not limited to knives, slingshots, metal knuckles, razors, paintball guns,

BB guns, and air pistols; even if permitted by law. Authorization for possession of a firearm on

campus or in campus controlled facilities is only available from the university president or

designee.

Proper Steps in Acquiring a Firearm

Step 1: Turn 18 for Rifle, 21 for Handgun

Step 2: Background check

Step 3: Take CWP, and safety courses

Step 4: Purchase firearm

Step 5: Finish with certification and register handgun

Double check!

The most important things to remember:

- Where the firearm is

- Where is it being taken

- Can it be taken wherever you're going based on federal guidelines

- Is it being stored properly

The Negative Effects of Improper Gun Owning

1. Death

2. Child Endangerment

3. Instilling fear in community

4. Imposing PTSD and trauma on others

South Carolina State Law

Based on the Governor's signing of HB 3094, open carry as well as concealed carry is legal for residents with a South Carolina Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) and for non-residents with a license/permit from a state that South Carolina honors as of August 15, 2021. ... The minimum age to obtain a CWP is 21 years old.

Weapons Safety courses in SC

Five weapon safety courses available SC, with many more not listed

1 Defender Firearms & Training

2.Paladin Services

3.Carolina Tactical Training

4.Safe Family Defense

5. Marksman Firearm Academy

Takeaway

Gun safety is an extremely important topic and should not be taken lightly.

Because of improper gun use and control, around 2 people die every hour from a gun related injury. Without classes like these and important mandates from the government, that number would be a lot higher.

It is imperative to take classes like these seriously in order to keep yourself, and others around you safe when using a firearm.

Bibliography

https://eddieeagle.nra.org/

https://www.thetrace.org/2021/12/gun-violence-data-stats-2021

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/children-and-gun-safety-what-to-know-and-do-2019071917357

https://violence.chop.edu/gun-violence-facts-and-statistics