Many shooters get so focused on making the shot that they lose track of what’s going on around them. Once that happens, it’s simply a matter of time until an accident happens with your shotgun.

Ignoring or forgetting the safety basics are very easy to do. Shooters get complacent, overconfident or distracted. Eventually, every shooter at one time or another does something unsafe with a shotgun.

The doctrine of shotgun safety prevents you from accidentally firing your gun — either through human or mechanical error. There are no shortcuts to safety, and the rules are never relaxed.

Ignore the rules of shotgun safety, and a negligent moment can turn an enjoyable outing into a nightmare.

Always remember that shotguns are inherently dangerous and command respect. Your goal is to make safe shooting instinctual — that you practice it constantly. It starts with common-sense shooting, vigilance and over time becomes ingrained in the shooting experience so that you are constantly aware of it in yourself and others.

Ear muff-like hearing protection is the most cost-effective. Try to avoid cheap foam ear plugs that you’ll often find at clays shooting clubs.

Keep…

• The muzzle pointed in a safe direction (upward or downrange).
• Your safety switch on until you’re ready to shoot.
• Your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.
• Wearing ear and eye protection.
• Thinking that your shotgun is loaded, even when it isn’t.
• Your action open or the breech cracked to show the gun is unloaded, until you’re ready to use it.
• The proper gauge ammunition in your gun. Don’t improvise or carry shells of different gauges in the same pouch. Ammo specs are usually stamped on the barrel of your shotgun near the receiver.
• Your barrel clear of obstructions. If you have a misfire, check the barrel for a stuck wad or hull. Don’t clear the barrel by firing a fresh load through it. The results will be disastrous.


Always wear shooting glasses. The best glasses wrap around your eyes to protect against clay target shards or shotgun shell debris. It’s best to find shatterproof glasses.

• Aware of what’s beyond the target. If there’s any doubt, don’t shoot.
• Familiar with your gun and its workings, especially the safety and barrel selector.
• Aware of ejected hulls. They are hot, fast and dangerous.
• Your shotgun unloaded when cleaning it.
• Your shotgun properly maintained. Fouling, rust and improper oiling can make your shotgun unsafe.
• Your shotgun unloaded and open when passing it to someone else. Pass it stock first.
• Aware of where your hunting partners are at all times.
• Aware of where your hunting dogs are at all times.
• Maintaining a straight line when hunting with others.
• Your safety orange on at all times when hunting.
• Your gun safety back on after the game has flushed.
• Your muzzle pointed downrange of other hunters — even when a quarry flushes in their direction.
• Your emotions in check. Remember, you and your companions have shotguns and ammo at hand.

Over/under and side-by-side shotguns tend to have the safety switch on the top. Semi-auto shotguns, meanwhile, often have the safety switch on the trigger guard. Typically, if you can see the red on the switch that means the safety is off.

Be aware of circumstances that could jeopardize your safety and the safety of others. If someone you know is doing something dangerous, it’s best to tell them. If you see a stranger doing something dangerous, notify the range safety officer immediately.

Never…

• Point your shotgun at another person (even if you think it’s unloaded).
• Shoot into water. Something hard under the surface could deflect the shot in a dangerous direction.
• Climb or jump over anything with a loaded shotgun.
• Shoot under the influence of alcohol or of drugs that impair your motor skills.
• Transport a loaded shotgun. Even if the law says it’s OK, the shotgun could accidentally discharge.
• Lean a loaded shotgun against anything other than a gun rack. If the gun falls, it could accidentally discharge.
• Fire your shotgun unless you feel your stance is well-balanced.
• Push or pull your shotgun against another person (even if you think it’s unloaded).
• Leave your shotgun unattended.
• Handle a shotgun without the owner’s permission.
• Dry fire a shotgun unless you are absolutely convinced it’s empty. And when you dry fire the shotgun, do so a safe direction.
• Store a loaded shotgun in a safe or cabinet.
• Never consume alcohol before shooting.

When it comes to children…

• Set the best possible example for your child when it comes to safety.
• Make sure your child wears ear and eye protection at all times.
• In the field, make sure your child wears safety orange at all times.
• Always pay attention to your children when they are handling shotguns or are in the vicinity of shotguns.
• Make sure the shotgun fits your child reasonably well to avoid misfires and other dangerous mistakes.
• Store your shotguns so that children can’t gain access to them: locked safes, closets or cabinets.
• Store shotguns and ammo separately in locked places.
• Don’t leave your shotgun lying around.
• If a child handles a shotgun it must be in the presence of an adult familiar with the gun and the rules of safe handling.
• Instill in your children that shotguns are not toys. They are extremely dangerous. When it comes to shotguns, children must distinguish between reality and fantasy.
• Replace the mystique of the shotgun with knowledge and discipline.
• Teach your children to respect shotguns rather than fear them.
• Teach your child that if they find a shotgun readily accessible they should leave the area immediately and alert an adult. If there are no adults available, the child should call 9-1-1 immediately.
• If your child has questions about shotguns, keep your answers short and to the point in order to avoid confusion. Demonstrate often.
• Don’t lose your patience with your children when it comes to teaching them about shotguns.
• "No" means "no."

Too many people take shotguns for granted. They grew up shooting wing and clays and become apathetic or cavalier about how they handle a shotgun. These people set bad, dangerous examples and if you find yourself around them you can either leave the shooting party or not shoot with them again.

Avoid accidents that you’ll regret and shoot your shotgun safely.