INTRO TO FIREARM SAFETY!

Hunting Statistics According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 12.5 million people 16 and older hunted in % of the U.S. population

Firearm Safety Main outcome of Firearm Safety is to prevent firearm and hunting accidents and to ensure the future of hunting and shooting sports through the compliances with laws, regulations and ethics. (Accident data!)

Epidemiology Everyday 11 people under 19 are killed by firearms to 1991 study, firearm-related deaths in 1991 exceeded the number of motor vehicle related deaths in the United States. Firearm related injuries are the second leading cause of death for children ages yrs. It is estimated that the number of children sustaining non-fatal firearm injuries is four to five times greater than the number of children who die from such injuries each year. Handguns account for the majority of firearm related injuries in the United States. Firearm Injury Statistics

Epidemiology Cont’d Approximately 50% of all US homes have a firearm. Over 50% of handguns are stored loaded or with the ammunition Keeping a gun in the home increases the chances of a homicide by three times and increases the chances of a suicide by five times. A gun kept in a household is 43 times more likely to kill someone that the family knows than to kill someone in self-defense. 77% of violent deaths in schools are caused by firearms. Firearm Prevalence Statistics

Firearm Facts in Children Children watch an average of 45 violent acts on TV each day. Playing with toy guns may contribute to unintentional shootings.

Cost to Healthcare In 1994, the mean cost per injury due to gunshots was approximately $17,000. The injuries due to gunshots in 1994 alone, created a projected $2.3 billion in medical costs over a lifetime. Of the $2.3 billion, $1.1 billion will be paid by taxpayers.

Not having a gun in the house $0 Trigger locks for guns $10 Lockable cabinet $30 -$50 Home firearm safety training $50-$100 Fire-resistant safe $1500 Preventing a child death... Priceless Cost of Prevention

Keep Children Safe Parents and gun manufacturers need to take responsibility for safety. Research shows that telling children not to touch guns does not work.

Firearm Safety Tips Don’t buy a gun unless you know how to use it safely. Store it unloaded and locked up. Lock it out of children’s reach. Lock up ammunition separately from the gun. Keep trigger locks on your guns for extra prevention, or disassemble your gun completely.

The 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety

1. Treat Every Gun as if it were loaded!

2. Control Your Muzzle!

3. Know your target and what is beyond!

4. Never point a Gun at anything that you do not intend to shoot!

5. Unload Guns when not in use! Note: Action open

6. Store guns and ammunition separately!

7. Unload before Crossing obstacle!

8. Be Sure barrel is clear of obstructions!

9. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or water! Make sure you have a safe backstop!

10. Never mix guns and Alcohol!

Remember…