Hunting's popularity continues for many reasons, including the excuse to venture forth in the great out-of-doors, the opportunity for camaraderie with family and friends, the challenge of outwitting an animal, and in general, the excuse to get away from life's routine activities.
However, firearms account for about 1,500 accidental deaths annually. Firearm deaths from accidents, suicide and homicide total more than 30,000 every year. Males are involved in more than 80 percent of the cases.Combining accidental and purposely inflicted causes, hand guns are involved in at least 4,000 firearm deaths yearly. These tabulations may be inaccurate since many death certificates do not indicate the type of firearm.
Firearm deaths have almost doubled in the past two decades.
If you keep and use firearms, the National Rifle Association recommends:
-Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, away from other people and usually toward the ground or up in the air.
-Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. The safety is designed as a backup and is not foolproof.
-Keep the gun's action (firing chamber) open and gun unloaded until ready to use.
Hunting and shooting
-Be positive of your target's identity and what's beyond before shooting. Never fire in a direction where people may be.
-Wear blaze orange when hunting. It is now a state law.
-Be sure that gun and ammunition are compatible, and carry only one gauge/caliber of ammunition.
-Alcohol, drugs and hunting do not mix.
Storage and transport
-Transport a gun unloaded, in a case and locked in the trunk.
-Store at home in a locked cabinet that children can't open. Store ammunition separately. Clean the gun prior to storage and store unloaded with action (firing chamber) open.