The weather is warming up and citizens around the county are starting to enjoy outdoor activities, one of which is shooting guns at targets either in the hills or at one of the shooting ranges on the outskirts of town. Carbon County Sheriff Jeff Wood took time on his weekly update to share some gun safety rules.

“I have a few little rules for gun safety. The number one cardinal rule of gun safety is always keeping your muzzle pointed in a safe direction,” said Wood. “It’s the most basic rule, it’s the most important rule. If everyone pointed their guns in a safe direction, virtually there would be no accidental firearm injuries.” Individuals should make it a habit to know exactly where the muzzle of their gun is pointing at all times, especially when loading and unloading the firearm.

Firearms should be unloaded when not in use and should only be loaded when you are ready to shoot. When you are done shooting it is important to unload it well before you bring it into your vehicle or home. Once home, the firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place where children cannot gain access.

“The third rule that I have is don’t rely on your gun’s safety. Treat every gun as though it can fire all the time. The safety on the gun is mechanical and it can at times not work properly,” stated Wood. Individuals should keep their finger off the trigger until they are ready to shoot.

Be sure to know your target, as well as, what you are shooting at and beyond because bullets can travel for miles. Also, watch out for ricochets off of hard, flat surfaces or even off the flat surface of a pool of water, bullets can skip off the water just like stones. When out hunting, be sure that you take the time before you pull the trigger to be absolutely certain of your target.

Always use the correct ammunition for the firearm. Using an improper or incorrect ammo can destroy the gun and/or cause serious personal injury. Any ammunition that has become very wet or has been submerged in water, oil or solvents should be discarded in a proper manner.

Shooters should wear protective eyewear and hearing protectors. “Ear protection is crucial because that’s not an instant injury but over the years, you’ll get to where you lose hearing if you shoot without it,” said Wood. Know all the ins and outs of your firearms, modifications should never be made and it’s important to perform regular maintenance on firearms.

Residents can stay informed about the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office by visiting their Facebook page.