Safe Gun Ownership For Dummies

Greg Lickenbrock is a senior firearms analyst and technical advisor for the largest non-profit organization dedicated to gun violence prevention and safety in the United States. He previously spent nearly a decade serving as an editor and writer for several outdoor and firearm-related publications.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 2Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Getting Started with Gun Safety 5Chapter 1: The Basics of Safe Gun Ownership 7Common Reasons to Own a Firearm 8Gaining a sense of security 8Hunting and recreational shooting 9Taking part in history 9Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Firearm 10How will you secure it? 10Who will have access to it? 11When will you attend a training course? 11The Four Rules of Gun Safety 12Rule 1: Treat all guns as if they are loaded 13Rule 2: Never let your muzzle cover anything you aren’t willing to destroy 13Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re on target and ready to shoot 14Rule 4: Be sure of your target and what is behind it 14Knowing other important rules to follow 15Checking Whether a Gun is Loaded 15Checking semi-automatic pistols 16Checking revolvers 17Checking rifles or shotguns with detachable magazines 17Checking rifles or shotguns with internal magazines 18Chapter 2: Legally Speaking 19Understanding U.S Federal Gun Regulations 20The Second Amendment and its interpretations 20The National Firearms Act of 1934 21The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 23The Gun Control Act of 1968 23The Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 23The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 24The federal assault weapons ban of 1994 24The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act of 2005 26Breaking Down Landmark Supreme Court Decisions 26United States v Miller 26District of Columbia v Heller 27McDonald v Chicago 27New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen 27Navigating State and Local Laws 27Recognizing significant laws 28Finding helpful sites and resources 30Looking at Gun Laws Outside the United States 31Canada 31Switzerland 32United Kingdom 32Australia 33New Zealand 33Chapter 3: The Three Main Types of Firearms 35Taking a Quick Trip through History: Cannons, Muskets, and More 36Understanding early naming conventions 36Sizing down for individual soldiers 37Tracing 1800s innovations to today’s guns 39Going the Distance with Rifles 42Understanding bolt-action basics 42Leveling up with lever actions 44Gaining speed with semi-autos 46Sorting Out Various Types of Shotguns 51Simplifying shotgun shells 51Breaking down break actions 52Moving from levers to pumps 54Sizing up semi-auto scatterguns 55Getting Hands on with Handguns 56Grasping the revolver revolution 56Charting the rise of semi-autos 58Chapter 4: Purchasing Your Firearm 65Your First Trip to the Gun Store 66What to expect from salespeople 66Deciding on the type of gun to buy 67Trying before you buy 69Knowing the Purchase Requirements 72Filling out the required paperwork 73Understanding holds and wait times 75Part 2: Building a Gun Safety Mindset 79Chapter 5: Introducing a Firearm into Your Household 81Having “The Talk” with Your Family 82Addressing your partner’s concerns 82Explaining gun safety rules to children 83Teaching children what to do if they encounter a firearm 84Entering those dreaded teen years 85Letting Other People Know You Own a Gun 86Understanding the Dangers of Overpenetration 87Chapter 6: Safe and Secure Firearm Storage 91Understanding the Locks (Sometimes) Included with Guns 92The Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 92How to use a cable lock — and why it isn’t enough 93The problems with trigger locks 95Investing in Sturdy Steel with Gun Safes and Vaults 96Factoring in size, construction, and more 97Breaking down the various lock types 100Avoiding less traditional storage options 102Grasping the Importance of Storing Ammunition Separately 103Chapter 7: Manual Labor 105Looking Inside Your Firearm’s Manual 106Using the safety 106Loading and unloading the gun 107Disassembly made easy 108Learning the warranty information 109Watching Out for Other Warnings 110Avoiding the wrong ammunition 110Finding the right balance of lubrication 111Keeping the Record Straight 112Chapter 8: Cleaning and Maintenance 113Caring for Your Gun between Trips to the Range 114Gathering the right tools and supplies 114Taking your gun apart 116Scrubbing the barrel 116Inspecting the interior 118Adding lube and other finishing touches 118Dealing With the Usual Wear and Tear 119Identifying common wear points 120Replacing parts — and knowing your limits 121Troubleshooting Two Larger Issues 122Clearing bore obstructions 123Removing light rust 124Chapter 9: Getting to Know Ammunition 127Making Sense of Rifle and Handgun Ammunition 128Getting acquainted with cartridge components and naming conventions 128Looking at the basics of ballistics and barrel rifling 132Understanding today’s handgun bullets 134Recognizing various rifle bullets 137Sorting Out Shotgun Shells 140Discerning shell components and naming conventions 140Defining shotshells by use 142Chapter 10: Today’s Firearm Accessories 145Carrying Your Gun 146Choosing handgun holsters 146Selecting a sling for your long gun 148Using Common Shooting Aids 150Zeroing in with sights and optics 150Holding steady with monopods, bipods, and more 153Powering up with lights, lasers, and combination units 155Customizing Your Gun 159Upgrades you can do at home 159Upgrades that require gunsmithing 161Looking at Other Helpful Accessories 163Chapter 11: Leaving Home with Your Firearm 165Transporting a Gun in a Vehicle 166Understanding relevant laws 166Examining vehicle storage options — and their risks 167Crossing State Lines with a Firearm 170Traveling by road 170Traveling by air 171Carrying a Firearm on Your Person 173Getting to know your state’s carry laws and off-limit locations 174Recognizing common carry positions 176Avoiding injury while unholstering 178Part 3: Discovering How to Use Your Firearm 181Chapter 12: Basic Training 183Understanding Why You Need to Attend a Training Course 184Knowing What to Expect from a Training Course 186Breaking down the types of courses 186Considering three major factors: cost, time, and format 187Understanding common course requirements 188Evaluating course options 190Finding a Training Course Near You 193Range Safety Fundamentals 194Explaining common range rules 195Dressing appropriately 196Protecting your eyesight 197Protecting your hearing 197Preparing for All Types of Weather 199Continuing Your Education 200Chapter 13: On the Mark 203Learning the Basics of Accurate Shooting 204Establishing a firm grip on a handgun 204Holding onto a rifle or shotgun 207Getting into position 207Sighting in 213Breathing for better accuracy 217Controlling the trigger 217Practicing Your Shooting Skills Safely 218Maximizing your range time 218Diagnosing your results 220Overcoming Cross-Eye Dominance 222Chapter 14: Reloading and Clearing Malfunctions 225Dissecting the Anatomy of a Detachable Magazine 226Reloading a Pistol Three Different Ways 227The empty reload 228The speed reload 231The retention reload 232Safely Unloading a Gun 233Troubleshooting Common Pistol Malfunctions 234Clearing a failure to eject 234Fixing a failure to feed 235Dealing with double feeds 236Diagnosing ammo-related problems 236Part 4: Think Carefully before You Shoot 239Chapter 15: Hunting and Sport Shooting 241Preparing to Hunt with a Firearm 242Getting to know your state’s wildlife agency 242Attending a hunter education course 243Becoming an ethical hunter 244Breaking down various types of hunting 246Gathering helpful hunting gear 249Going for Gold at Shooting Matches 251Learning popular shooting disciplines 251Collecting helpful competition gear 254Attending your first match 256Chapter 16: Firearms and Self-Defense 257Before You Reach for a Gun 258Protecting your home from the outside 258Protecting your home from the inside 260Understanding the Castle Doctrine 262Interpreting the castle doctrine today 263Knowing the limits of the law 263Creating an Emergency Plan 264Understanding Self-Defense with a Firearm Outside the Home 266Part 5: The Part of Tens 269Chapter 17: Ten Common Myths about Firearms 271Myth: “The Wild West Was Full of Gunplay” 272Myth: “A Gun Will Make Me Safer” 272Myth: “Guns Don’t Kill People; People Kill People” 273Myth: “Polymer Guns Won’t Set off Metal Detectors” 274Myth: “The Only Thing That Can Stop a Bad Guy with a Gun Is a Good Guy with a Gun” 275Myth: “Millions of People Defend Themselves with Guns Every Year” 275Myth: “Guns Can Blow You Away” 276Myth: “Every Gun Sale Already Requires a Background Check” 276Myth: “Blame Video Games, Not Guns” 277Myth: “I Love Guns — They Make Me Who I Am” 277Chapter 18: Ten (or More) Gun Terms You’re Using Incorrectly 279Saying “Clip” Instead of “Magazine” 280Bullets, Cartridges, and More 280Accuracy versus Precision 282The Two Meanings of Pistol 282Semi-Automatic versus Automatic 283Assault Rifles and Assault Weapons 283Why Suppressors Aren’t Quite Silencers 284Standard and High Capacity 285Grip and Handle Defined 286Chapter 19: Ten Steps to Restore a Classic Gun 287Unload and Inspect the Firearm 288Research the Make and Model 288Decide What You Want to Do with It 289Carefully Disassemble and Clean It 290Remove Light Rust from Metal Surfaces 290Replace Any Missing or Damaged Parts 291Refinish the Metal — or Not 291Restore the Wood 292Clean, Lubricate, and Reassemble It 293Have a Gunsmith Back Up your Work 293Index 295