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Firearms Safety: Fooled eyes could fuel trigger finger
Weekly News Article Published: October 13, 2009 by the Central Office
Part Two: Know your target, stay true to safety
MADISON – Filtered forest light, decaying leaves and downed branches all can play tricks with the human eye and could lead to a hunting disaster that DNR Hunter Education Administrator Tim Lawhern says can be avoided by following the basic rules of firearm safety.
Lawhern says research shows every firearms-related incident is a violation of one or more of the four basic rules of firearm safety. “All four are common sense and should be part of every hunting activity you do,” said Lawhern, also president of the International Hunter Education Association.
A previous article examined the first two of the four basic rules: Treat every firearm as if loaded; and, know the direction of your firearm’s muzzle. This week’s article discusses the final two.
The life or death scenario
“Positive target identification is a must,” Lawhern said of rule three – know your target. “To shoot at something you only think is a legal target is gambling, and you could be gambling with human life.”
The process of identifying the target includes – without fail – knowing there is a safe backstop for the bullet. “We don’t always hit our target. Sometimes, we do and the bullet travels through,” he said. “If you know what is behind the target and know that includes a safe backstop, no one gets hurt.”
Trigger finger always has a place
Life is full of unexpected happenings – such as tripping, falling or momentarily losing your balance due to uneven terrain. “If a hunter stumbles while carrying a firearm with the finger inside the trigger guard, chances are that firearm will go off,” he said. “This will be an unwanted discharge going in a direction the hunter is not prepared for. And the results, again, may be injury, death or some kind of property damage.”
Adhering to rule four will prevent this situation, he said. Rule four is: Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
The four rules are based upon the value of respect, he said.
“Respect for the firearm and what it can do,” Lawhern said. “And respect for other people around you and respect for property. It is common sense.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern, DNR Hunter Education Administrator (608) 266-1317 or Joanne Hass (608) 267-0798
View all articles in this issue or check our previous Weekly News Issues.
