| BB gun safety is extremely important. You have | | | | more easily off of certain surfaces. Flat surfaces, |
| probably been told more than once that BB guns are | | | | hard surfaces, and the water all surfaces that BBs |
| not toys. And yet, many people still treat them as | | | | may ricochet off of. Also make sure that the target |
| such. Has no one seen the ill-fated scene in the | | | | is not at an angle. |
| movie "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie fails to heed | | | | · Start out shooting at a shooting range. It is |
| the warning of "You'll shoot your eye out?" | | | | a good and much safer place to learn how to shoot. |
| Does no one remember that he did, indeed, | | | | · Do not allow minors (persons under 18 |
| practically shoot his eye out with his Official Red | | | | years of age) to shoot any type of gun (not even a |
| Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range | | | | BB gun) with out active adult supervision. |
| Model Air Rifle? Of course, if he had followed basic | | | | · Now that BB guns are made to look more |
| BB gun safety rules, he would have been fine. Had he | | | | and more realistic, some people can mistake them |
| been wearing protective eyewear, instead of just his | | | | for real guns. This makes them potentially dangerous! |
| glasses, he would have been much better off. Had he | | | | If someone (including and especially a policeman) |
| not shot at a surface with such potential for | | | | thinks you have a real gun, he or she may act |
| ricochet... well, you get the point. | | | | differently around you. You could be putting yourself |
| Anyhow, movies aside, BB gun safety truly is | | | | and others in danger. Do not carry your BB gun in a |
| extremely important. Many people do not realize how | | | | public place. Doing so may actually be illegal in your |
| easy it is to injure someone (or even potentially kill | | | | state. |
| someone) with a BB gun. The same gun safety rules | | | | · Do not alter the color of your BB gun. If it |
| must be followed when using BB guns as when using | | | | has a fluorescent orange tip, that is for a reason! |
| any other type of gun. | | | | Policeman have been known to shoot and fire upon |
| This is especially important if you are training your | | | | children who have removed the safety orange color |
| child on a BB gun before you allow he or she to | | | | form their guns, because the policemen could no |
| shoot a real gun. Make sure they learn BB gun | | | | longer recognize the guns as anything but real guns. |
| safety, and subsequently basic gun safety, right off | | | | · It is not recommended that children under |
| the bat. | | | | the age of 16 are allowed to operate a high velocity |
| Here are some of the most important BB gun safety | | | | BB gun. Take a look at the velocity type of your BB |
| rules: | | | | gun or air rifle before using. The warning will likely |
| · Treat all guns as though they are loaded. | | | | say, "May be dangerous up to 350 yards," as well as |
| Never assume that a gun is not loaded. | | | | other warnings. Be sure to follow all warnings. |
| · Never point your BB gun at anyone. It does | | | | · Always check to make sure the gun is not |
| not matter if it is not loaded! | | | | loaded. Point the gun away from people and animals |
| · Check out both local and federal laws and | | | | and squeeze the trigger (again, avoid pointing it at |
| regulations. Different states have different BB gun | | | | things that it might ricochet off of. |
| safety laws and rules. Certain guns are not allowed in | | | | · Do not carry a loaded BB gun when |
| certain places. | | | | climbing over fences or up trees or even when |
| · Do not fire at a target unless you know | | | | jumping. Doing so could cause the gun to go off. |
| everything surrounding the target. Do not shoot if | | | | · Keep care of your gun. A damaged or dirty |
| there is a potential that someone is behind or on the | | | | gun is more likely to cause injury. |
| sides of the target... you might miss! | | | | · One rule of BB gun safety that is too often |
| · Keep your finger off of the trigger until | | | | overlooked is that you should always use new ammo |
| you are ready to fire. | | | | in your BB gun. It does not matter if it is expensive. |
| · As stated above, in the "A Christmas | | | | Not doing so is dangerous and can degrade your gun |
| Story" incident, always where protective eyewear. | | | | more quickly. |
| Also wear a protective mask. | | | | Be sure to follow these rules of BB gun safety. Also, |
| · Realize that BBs can ricochet. Be aware of | | | | teach BB gun safety to anyone that you see who is |
| the type of surface you are shooting at. BBs ricochet | | | | not properly following these important rules! |