An Ounce of Prevention with Mike Teague

An Ounce of Prevention:

The Case for Gun Safety

By Mike Teague

In the emergency services world, it is the preventable incidents that can sometimes weigh heaviest on first responders. While there is no comparison to the sadness and/ or remorse felt by the families and friends, preventable injury or death has an incredible impact on those who respond when we dial 911. Truth be known, one of the major reasons I write on preventing injuries and deaths is the impact of 37 years of incident response. I can’t count the number of times that I have had to witness the pain and heartache that afflict family members when a loved one has been accidently killed or injured.

According to the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, each year over 500 persons are killed by unintended firearm injuries. Half of those who die are accidently shot by someone else. Thousands more are injured by the unintended gun shot. Thirtyseven percent of non-fatal gun injuries are unintentional in nature.

National Public Radio has been tracking unintentional shootings by children. Unintentional shootings involving a child happen daily in the U.S. And since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, accidental shootings by children are up 31 percent. One can only surmise this is due to the increase of children being left at home alone, coupled with adults in the home not properly securing their firearms.

The goal of this article is to inspire readers to reflect on their own personal firearm safety habits. I’ll offer a basic guide—from firearm purchase, to firearm use, to how to improve your firearm safety.

Purchasing Firearms

When deciding to purchase a firearm, it is important to reach out to one of our local firearm stores and other firearm experts to ask for help and guidance with your purchase. These trained professionals can make sure the firearm you are looking to purchase is the right fit for you. Joe Moody with Xtreme Gun and Pawn in Boone, NC, says that they sit down with every customer to help them find the right firearm to match their needs. Moody warns, “Don’t just buy a firearm because it’s pretty. You need to know the pros and cons of each firearm before you buy it.” Certified firearm instructor and local expert Sandra Hoyle agrees with Moody’s advice, and adds, “Instruction begins before you purchase the firearm—do your research.”

Firearm Training

Once you have purchased your firearm it is crucial for you to have proper training in the use and care of the firearm. This training is vital for your safety and the safety of those you will come in contact with, and for proper operation of the firearm. Most of the local gun stores can provide firearm-specific training as well as basic safety classes. Another great resource to turn to for firearm training and safety is a local gun club.

Hoyle, a firearm instructor since 2004 who also offers additional training through the Watauga Gun Club, believes that everyone who owns a firearm should take a basic firearms class to improve their overall fire safety. She reminds everyone that the owner of the firearm has the responsibility to know how to safely operate their firearm. “The best place to start is to read the owner’s manual,” says Hoyle. “There is a lot of good information in the manual, such as cleaning, loading and recommended ammo.”

This is echoed by Moody; with 32 years of Law Enforcement experience in Watauga County, he has seen the tragedy that comes from an unintentional shooting. He stresses the importance of knowledge on operating a firearm, but also the need to have respect for all firearms. “Practice firearm safety every time you are around any firearm or you are apt to get hurt or killed,” says Moody.

Basic firearm classes are offered at the Watauga Gun Club. Hoyle and husband Gary are actively involved in these classes, and encourage firearm owners to check out the Watauga Gun Club’s website for a list of upcoming classes. Additionally, Sandra Hoyle teaches classes specifically for the women in our community. These classes are tailored toward the understanding and needs of women firearm owners.

Firearm Use and Storage

Remember to properly secure your firearm when it is not is use. As we have seen in the statistics, children are watching and will play with firearms when given a chance. Consider the purchase of a lockable gun safe if multiple firearms are in the home. A simple gun lock will prevent the accidental use of an individual firearm in the wrong hands. Gun locks are inexpensive, and most new firearms will include a lock. But like a seatbelt, gun locks aren’t effective if they aren’t used.

Photo courtesy of https://projectchildsafe.org/

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When using any firearm, there are many things to consider. Here, I have included the NC Department of Public Safety’s “12 Golden Rules of Safe Gun Handling.” Following these rules every time you use your firearm will allow for greater enjoyment while keeping yourself and those around you safe from an unintentional injury.

12 Golden Rules of Gun Safety:

n Always treat the gun as if it is loaded. n Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. n Always keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. n Always keep the gun unloaded until you are ready to use it. n Never point the gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot. n Be sure of your target and what is beyond it. n Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the gun you are using. n Always use proper ammunition. n Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before loading and shooting. n If 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. n Don’t rely on the gun’s safety to keep it from firing. n Be aware of your surroundings when handling guns so you don’t trip or lose your balance and accidentally point and/or fire the gun at anyone or anything.

Ultimately the decision to improve firearm safety lies with us all, but the real effort requires individual actions. Whether you are a brand new firearm owner, or someone like me who grew up learning to hunt and shoot with my Dad, firearm safety in not something in which you simply “check a box” and then move on. Firearm safety must be an everyday choice for life. Frequent CML contributor Michael Teague is the Assistant Chief of the Boone Fire Department. If you have questions or a topic you would like to see addressed, email Mike at mike.teague@ townofboone.net.

For additional information: Watauga Gun Club https://www.wataugagunclub.com

Xtreme Gun and Pawn https://www.xtremegunandpawn.com

NC Department of Public Safety https://www.ncdps.gov

National Public Radio https://www.npr.org

The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence http://www.efsgv.org

Sandy and Gary Hoyle (certified firearms instructors) http://garynsam.com

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