KEY POINTS IN NRA'S "FIRST STEPS RIFLE" COURSE ============================================== FIRST == Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training TRAINING AIDS NEEDED FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE: * Rifle and manual, normally supplied by shooter(s) * Appropriate dummy ammunition, empty cartridge box and fired case * NRA Training Course Student Registration Card(s) * The Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook(s) == BRSH * NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure(s) * NRA Basic Firearm Training Program brochure, * NRA Member Guide and NRA membership application. * Range session: ear and eye protection, blank targets, bench and benchrest, sandbags, chair, small screwdriver (for sight adjustments) Do NOT wear your best shoes and/or clothes! Women should wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Bring mosquito-repellant in spring and summer! * Gun-cleaning equipment * Lockable gun case/box BUREAUCRATIC DETAILS 1. Registration: Please complete the Course Registration. 2. Welcome: Introduce yourself and welcome participant(s) to the course. 3. Goal: To provide you with an INTRODUCTION to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use your specific pistol model safely. (Mostly about YOUR PARTICULAR firearm model(s), but I'll occasionally mention or discuss the "other" kinds (revolver/semi-automatic/ single-action/muzzle loading) where it seems important.) 4. Schedule: about 2+ sit-down hours and 1+ hour on the range 5. Special considerations: Brief rest breaks about every hour or as needed 6. Facilities: Location of rest room, kitchen (water), telephone, first-aid kit, fire exits, alarm, extinguishers, etc. 7. Firearms: MUST be unloaded (verify this with participant) 8. Ammunition: Generally, NO live ammunition is allowed in the classroom! 9. Gun fit: Check gun fit relative to the size/strength of participant, who should be able to hold it securely and comfortably, position it correctly, and reach and operate its parts safely and properly. 10. Distribute THE BASICS OF RIFLE SHOOTING handbook (BRSH). a. BRSH will be used during the course and you can use it afterwards as a reference to review the material covered in class. b. The handbook contains much more information than we can cover during this short course. c. The handbook is not a substitute for either hands-on or full training. LESSON I - INTRODUCTION TO RIFLE SAFETY, PARTS, AND OPERATION (45 minutes) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. INTRODUCE LESSON: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. State the goals of this FIRST Steps course. 2. Name the three fundamental rules of safe gun handling and demonstrate them with your rifle. 3. Name the major components of a rifle and describe their functions. 4. Demonstrate safe loading and unloading procedures for your rifle. B. SAFETY 1. What do you think is our primary concern when handling firearms? Safety is ALWAYS the PRIMARY concern when handling firearms, whether the guns are located in the home, at the range, in the field, or even while being used to defend oneself against an attacker. 2. What do you think are the major causes of gun accidents? IGNORANCE and CARELESSNESS are the primary causes: * A lack of knowledge of firearm safety or operation is IGNORANCE, and * failure to apply one's knowledge when handling guns is CARELESSNESS. 3. Distribute the NRA GUN SAFETY RULES brochure while explaining that the NRA has THREE BASIC RULES which should ALWAYS be applied simultaneously [AT THE SAME TIME] when handling or using a gun. a. Turn to the three rules in the brochure and have participant read the first rule aloud. [ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION] This rule means that a gun must always be pointed so that even if it were to discharge, it would not cause injury or damage. Controlling the gun's MUZZLE is the key, and common sense will dictate the safest direction. What do you think is meant by a "safe direction"? WHAT are safe direction(s) here? DEMO by picking up a gun, identifying the muzzle, and noting that you have it pointed in a safe direction. b. Have participant read the second rule aloud. [ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO SHOOT] When your finger is off the trigger, WHERE should it be? Your finger should rest outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. [DEMO by identifying the trigger and trigger guard on the rifle you are holding and noting that you are holding the gun with your finger off the trigger, while keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction.] c. Have participant read the third rule aloud. [ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN UNLOADED UNTIL READY TO USE] How do you know whether or not a gun is unloaded? You ensure that a gun is unloaded by REMOVING the MAGAZINE (if any), OPENING the ACTION, and VISUALLY INSPECTING the CHAMBER(s). [DEMO by identifying the magazine (if any), action, and chamber on a gun and noting that the magazine is out, the action is open, and the chamber is empty.] C. SAFE RIFLE-HANDLING PRACTICAL EXERCISE When you hand a firearm to another person, the three rules of gun safety must be observed SIMULTANEOUSLY! That is, the gun must be pointed in a safe direction, your finger must be off the trigger, the magazine must be out, the action must be open, and the empty chamber must be visible. You should NEVER accept a gun from another person unless it is in this same condition! [Make a gun safe and hand it to the participant. Have him/her demonstrate the three safety rules while handling the gun and have him/her describe each action s/he performs (i.e., keeps the gun pointed in a safe direction, etc.) The gun's action must remain open during this exercise and must not be manipulated by participant at this time. Have him/her hand the rifle back to you when s/he is done.] D. RIFLE PARTS -- All rifles consist of three major components: the STOCK, the BARREL, and the ACTION. 1. Read the definition of STOCK aloud. [BRSH p. 1] [DEMO "This is the stock."] 2. Read the definition of BARREL aloud. [DEMO "This is the barrel."] 3. Read the definition of ACTION aloud. [DEMO "This is the action."] E. RIFLE SUB-PARTS -- Each of those main rifle parts is made up of SMALLER parts, so let's revisit them. 1. Stock a. The BUTT is the rear portion of the stock which is designed to fit against your shoulder. b. The COMB is the top portion of the stock on which you rest your cheek. c. The GRIP is where your hand holds the stock when firing the rifle. d. The FORE-END is the part of the stock that extends beneath the barrel and is held by the NON-shooting hand to support the rifle. A FORE-END which is SEPARATE from the rest of the stock is called a FOREARM. REVIEW the DEFINITION of the STOCK by asking participant to define it. REVIEW the PARTS of the stock by pointing to each part and have participant name and describe briefly the function of each part. 2. Barrel a. The BORE is the inside of the barrel. The measurement of its diameter is called the CALIBER of the rifle. b. The MUZZLE is the front end of the barrel where the bullet exits. c. The CROWN, an indentation at the very end of the bore, protects the exit hole from being dinged or damaged. d. The BREECH is the rear end of the barrel. e. The CHAMBER is the part of the barrel at the breech end which holds the cartridge at the instant of firing. f. RIFLING is the spiral LANDS and GROOVES cut into the bore which give the bullet stability by making it spin. [DEMO barrels with rifling] g. The FRONT and REAR SIGHTS are used to aim the rifle. REVIEW the DEFINITION of the BARREL by asking participant to define it. REVIEW the PARTS of the barrel by pointing to each part and have participant name and describe briefly the function of each part. 3. Action a. The RECEIVER is the backbone to which all other parts are attached. b. The BOLT or BREECH BLOCK closes over the chamber to hold the cartridge in place for firing. c. The TRIGGER, when pulled (squeezed), activates the firing mechanism (which includes the FIRING PIN) to cause the cartridge to fire. d. The TRIGGER GUARD protects the trigger and reduces the possibility of an unintentional firing. e. The MAGAZINE holds cartridges ready for feeding into the chamber. [A CLIP performs a similar function but does NOT have a spring.] f. The SAFETY, a device designed to reduce the chance of an unintentional discharge, is a mechanical device WHICH CAN FAIL, so it must be used as a SUPPLEMENT to, and NOT a substitute for, safe gun-handling practices. g. The RELEASE (if applicable) allows an action to be opened and/or closed. REVIEW the DEFINITION of the ACTION by asking participant to define it. REVIEW the PARTS of the action by pointing to each part and have participant name and describe briefly the function of each part. F. REVIEW ALL of the parts of the stock, barrel, and action by pointing to each part while participant names and describes their function. G. RIFLE OPERATION -- In addition to firing (which will be discussed later, there are two basic operations of most guns: LOADING and UNLOADING. 1. Loading: While observing, citing, and reinforcing the applicable safety rules throughout the exercise, explain, demonstrate, and discuss the loading procedure for participant's gun in a clear, simple, step-by-step manner. Then have participant repeat the steps back to you as you repeat the demonstration. Ammunition that falls to the ground/floor must remain there until it may be retrieved safely by someone who is NOT handling a firearm at that time.] 2. UNloading: [DEMO same as above] H. REVIEW the three fundamental rules for safe gun handling, then have participant EXPLAIN AND DEMONSTRATE the correct loading and unloading procedures for his/her gun. Ask participant to explain what s/he is doing during the demonstration to show that s/he has learned the steps correctly and to help reinforce the skills s/he is performing. I. CONCLUDE LESSON I 1. Summary -- Ask participant to: a. State the goal(s) of this course. b. Name the three NRA fundamental rules of safe gun handling. c. Name the three major components of a rifle and describe their functions. d. Describe the loading and unloading procedures for your rifle. 2. Do you have any questions about this lesson? LESSON II - INTRODUCTION TO AMMUNITION AND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RIFLE SHOOTING -----------------------------------------------------------------(45 minutes) A. INTRODUCE LESSON: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. Identify the three items you need to check to determine the proper ammunition for your rifle. 2. Identify and define the three major types of cartridge malfunctions and explain how to respond safely when they occur. 3. Determine your dominant eye. 4. Explain the five fundamentals of rifle shooting and demonstrate them from the benchrest position. B. RIFLE AMMUNITION 1. Ammunition compatibility -- Another very-important rule in the GUN SAFETY RULES brochure is "Use only the correct ammunition for your gun." a. How do you KNOW what the correct ammunition for your gun is? MOST firearms have the ammunition type stamped on the gun. But NOT always! [DEMO my old H&K revolver] b. How do you know whether the ammunition you have is the correct type for your gun? The ammunition type is identified on the box and SOMETIMES on the cartridge as well. [DEMO box and cartridges] c. So what three items should be checked to be sure that you are using the correct ammunition for your gun? d. In SOME cases, some ammo with a different designation MAY be compatible with your gun. [.38 Special can be shot in a .357 Magnum] e. But SOME ammo that "fits" your gun may NOT be compatible with your gun! [Do NOT shoot .22 CBs, shorts, longs, shots, or stingers in a Ruger 10/22] 2. Cartridge malfunctions -- There are three major ways ammunition may fail. a. A HANGFIRE is a perceptible DELAY in the ignition of a cartridge. b. A MISFIRE is a failure of the cartridge to FIRE at all. c. A SQUIB (weak) LOAD developes LESS THAN NORMAL pressure or velocity. If a cartridge doesn't go BANG, you do NOT YET know whether the problem is a misfire or a hangfire, so you should wait at least 30 seconds while keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction. After that time, you may unload your gun CAREFULLY. If anything UNUSUAL is noticed when a shot is fired, such as a difference in recoil or noise, a SQUIB LOAD may have been fired, and you should stop firing immediately! Squib loads may not push the bullet all the way out the end of the barrel, and if a bullet lodges in the barrel, firing another shot can cause SERIOUS damage to the gun and/or injury to you! If you suspect a squib load, point the gun in a safe direction, unload it, and then, with the gun pointed in a safe direction and the action open, carefully run a cleaning rod through the barrel to be sure a bullet is not stuck in the barrel. If the barrel is obstructed, do NOT fire the gun until the barrel has been cleared. You can NOT clear a clogged barrel, even one which "only" has mud in it, by "shooting it out"! Review definitions of misfire, hangfire, and squib loads and ask participant to explain the correct actions to take if these malfunctions occur. C. DETERMINING THE DOMINANT EYE Each individual has a dominant eye, the eye that is stronger and does more of the work. The dominant eye should be used to aim a gun, so you must determine your dominant eye before learning the fundamentals of shooting. [Perform the dominant-eye exercise on page 61 of BRSH.] RIGHT-handed shooters with a RIGHT dominant eye should shoulder the rifle on the RIGHT side. LEFT-handed shooters with a LEFT dominant eye should shoulder the rifle on the LEFT side. If you are "cross-dominant" (i.e., right-handed with a left-dominant eye or vice versa), you SHOULD shoulder the rifle on the same side as your dominant eye (but if you really feel more comfortable using the other shoulder, you may do so, but we'll need to partially block your dominant eye with a piece of translucent tape on your shooting glasses). D. What does the word "fundamental" mean in the context of learning a skill? ["basic" or "essential."] Fundamentals are the essential elements of performing a skill. In shooting, they are the elements of firing a shot, and they are important for beginners and experienced shooters alike because they must be performed every time a shot is fired. The five shooting fundamentals are: 1. Position (of both the body and the gun) 2. Breath control 3. Aiming 4. Trigger Squeeze 5. Follow-Through Position refers to the way you hold your body and the way you hold the rifle when firing a shot. 1a. Position of the body [Ask participant to DEMO as I read]: a. You should sit behind the bench/table facing the target. b. Your body position should be comfortable, balanced, relaxed, provide maximum BONE support, and be properly aligned with the target. c. Both of your elbows should rest on the bench/table. d. Your NON-shooting hand ("off" hand) should be supported by sandbags. e. Your shooting hand should be positioned to cradle the rifle grip. f. Your head should be erect. There ARE OTHER positions which this course does NOT cover (see BRSH pp. 81+) 1b. Position of the rifle [Ask participant to DEMO as I read]: a. Position the rifle against your shoulder so you can look through the sights comfortably and naturally with your dominant eye. Your cheek should rest firmly against the comb of the stock. b. Lightly rest the thumb of your "on" hand on the top of the stock and grasp the grip of the stock with the lower three fingers of that hand. Position your hand so your index finger doesn't touch the stock and can SQUEEZE the trigger straight to the rear. Your wrist should be straight. c. The fore-end/forearm of the rifle should lie across the palm of your "off" hand between the thumb and index finger, with the other fingers relaxed. You do NOT need to grip or squeeze the fore-end/forearm with any great force with MOST rifles (although it MAY be necessary to do so to maintain control when firing larger-caliber rifles). Have participant practice the benchrest position WITHOUT, then WITH a rifle. 2. Breath control Why do you think "breath control" is important in shooting? To MINIMIZE BODY MOVEMENT while firing a shot. a. Before each shot, take a breath, let enough air out so you are comfortable (about half?), and hold the remaining breath while firing the shot. b. Hold your breath no longer than six to eight seconds, because if you try to hold it much longer, muscle tremors may start. If this happens, take your finger off the trigger, relax, take a few normal breaths, and then begin the cycle again. 3. Aiming is the process of lining up the rifle with the target. It involves getting the eye, the rear sight, the front sight (or scope), and the target all in a straight line (ALIGNING). a. SIGHT ALIGNMENT is the relationship between your eye, the rear sight, and the front sight (or scope). 1. For OPEN SIGHTS with a front POST or BEAD, the front sight should be centered in the rear sight notch and the TOP of the front sight must be even with the TOP of the rear sight. 2. For APERTURE (hole) or PEEP SIGHTS, the front sight ring or top of the front sight post must be centered in the rear aperture. 3. For TELESCOPIC SIGHTS, your eye must be positioned so you can clearly see the entire field of view when looking through the scope. b. EYE RELIEF is the distance between the eye and the rear sight or scope which keeps the rear sight or scope a SAFE distance from your eye and face during recoil. (As a general rule, eye relief must be at least 1-2 inches and may be as much as 3-4 inches, particularly in larger-caliber rifles.) Note the amount of eye relief and the location of your cheek on the stock. Eye relief and cheek placement should be consistent from shot to shot. Have participant practice proper sight alignment using an empty rifle in the benchrest position and ask him/her to describe what s/he sees when the sights are aligned. c. SIGHT PICTURE is the relationship between the aligned sights or scope and the target. 1. The eye can focus on only one object at a time, so it can NOT keep the rear sight, the front sight, and the target in focus simultaneously. You must focus, both visually and mentally, on the front sight, and it should appear sharp and clear, the rear sight should look less sharp, and the target should look blurred. For telescopic sights, the scope reticle is simply centered on the target. 2. Keep BOTH EYES OPEN while aiming to improve depth perception and to eliminate facial contortions and muscle tension. 3. There will ALWAYS be some movement of the aligned sights or scope reticle relative to the target, but you should try to maintain proper sight alignment while keeping the movement of the gun to a minimum. 4. Trigger Squeeze [For the FIRST time, you may now touch the trigger!] a. Place your index finger so that the trigger is halfway between the tip of the finger and the first joint. The side of your trigger finger should not touch the stock. b. You should SQUEEZE (NOT jerk or snatch) the trigger straight to the rear in a smooth, continuous manner while maintaining proper sight alignment. c. When squeezing the trigger, each shot should come as a surprise. d. Trigger squeeze and sight alignment must be done simultaneously while keeping the movement of the gun to a minimum. 5. Follow-Through means to continue doing everything that was being done at the time the shot was fired for another second or two to prevent any unnecessary movement before the bullet exits the barrel. Have participant practice proper trigger squeeze using an empty rifle. [The Ruger 10/22 CAN be dry-fired.] If you focus on the front sight and follow through correctly, you should be able to "call the shot" or indicate its location on the target. E. CONCLUDE LESSON II 1. Ask: a. What three items need to be checked to make sure you are using the correct ammunition for your gun? b. What are the three major types of cartridge malfunctions? What should you do if they occur? c. Which of your eyes is dominant? What is the dominant eye used for in shooting? WHY do you want to use your dominant eye for shooting? d. What are the five fundamentals of rifle shooting? On what must you focus, visually and mentally, while firing? 2. Do you have any questions about this lesson? LESSON III - INTRODUCTION TO RIFLE SHOOTING FROM THE BENCHREST POSITION -----------------------------------------------------------(60 minutes) A. INTRODUCE LESSON: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. Explain the three range commands, the procedures to be followed if one has a problem with a firearm or drops ammunition, and several range rules. 2. Discuss and explain the eight NRA gun safety rules to be followed when shooting and storing a gun. 3. Safely shoot a target from the benchrest position using the fundamentals of rifle shooting. B. RANGE SAFETY AND SHOOTING-FACILITY ORIENTATION 1. Range layout -- Point out the the location of the firing points, firing line, ready area, etc., and explain the activities permitted in each area. 2. Range personnel -- Introduce the chief range officer, other range officers (if any), etc., and describe their functions. 3. Range commands and procedures a. LOAD -- AFTER this command has been given, you may LOAD your firearm but must still keep your finger off the trigger! b. COMMENCE FIRING -- AFTER this command has been given, you MAY fire your gun when you are ready, but you are NOT REQUIRED to begin firing immediately. c. CEASE FIRE -- When this command is given, you must IMMEDIATELY STOP shooting (even if you are already in the process of squeezing the trigger), remove your finger from the trigger, keep your gun pointed downrange, and await further instructions from the range officer. (Further instructions may include such commands as "Unload... Magazines out... Open Actions... Guns on the bench... etc." The "cease fire" command can be given during normal range operation or in emergency situations, and ANYONE who observes an unsafe situation may call CEASE FIRE. d. Problems -- If you have any problem with your gun, take your finger off the trigger, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, and raise your hand for assistance from one of the range personnel. e. Dropped ammunition -- Ammunition that falls to the ground must remain on the ground until it can be safely retrieved by someone who is not handling a firearm. 4. Range etiquette a. It is safer (and just polite) to keep noise-levels low around the range. b. Spectators may talk QUIETLY among themselves, and shooters are probably too busy to do much else than shoot. c. It is also polite to keep the range clean (collect fired brass, etc.) 5. Other range rules -- since there are so few of us here, I probably won't need any other rules. 6. REVIEW: a. What is the meaning of the command LOAD? COMMENCE FIRING? CEASE FIRE? d. Who may issue a CEASE FIRE command? e. What procedure should be followed by a shooter who is experiencing a problem with a rifle? f. What should you do if you accidentally drop ammunition? C. RULES FOR SAFE SHOOTING 1. Review the three fundamental NRA rules for safe gun handling [ALWAYS KEEP THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION, YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL READY TO SHOOT, THE GUN UNLOADED UNTIL READY TO USE] 2. The GUN-SAFETY RULES brochure has more rules for using and storing a gun: a. Be sure the gun is safe to operate. b. Know how to use the gun safely. c. Use only the correct ammunition for your gun. d. Know your target and what is beyond/behind it. e. Wear ear and eye protection as appropriate. f. Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting. g. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons. h. Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting situations may require additional safety precautions. D. PREPARATION FOR SHOOTING EXERCISES Prior to the range session, inspect all firearms for overall appearance, fit, function, and operation. New-in-the-box firearms should be cleaned before shooting. If there is any question concerning whether or not a gun is safe to shoot, have it checked by a gunsmith before using it. Also inspect all ammunition to be used during the shooting exercises to be sure it is clean, free of obvious defects, and compatible with the guns. Keep the ammunition under control. If there is any question .... Be sure EVERYONE is wearing ear and eye protection before shooting begins. Set a large blank target a reasonable distance from the firing line. E. SHOOTING FROM THE BENCHREST POSITION 1. REVIEW benchrest position: a. Body sits behind bench and is properly aligned with the target. b. Both elbows rest on the bench. 2. PRACTICE position WITHOUT rifle c. NON-shooting hand ("off" hand) should be supported by sandbags. d. The other ("on"?) hand should be positioned to cradle the rifle grip. e. Head should be erect. 3. PRACTICE position WITH rifle (Add the rifle once participant has achieved the correct body position. Review the elements of the position of the rifle and the human and be sure the participant performs them properly. If the participant's rifle is a semi-automatic, be sure also that the participant keeps his/her fingers away from any recoiling parts.) 4. Align position with target (The participant should be positioned so the gun NATURALLY points at the center of the target. Check natural point of aim by having participant close eyes momentarily, wiggle a bit, and then look back at the sight picture. If the sights are not still aligned on target, direct the participant to adjust his/her position AND TRY AGAIN.) 5. REVIEW the fundamentals of rifle shooting a. Position b. Breath control c. Aiming (Emphasize focus on the front sight) d. Trigger squeeze (Emphasize the importance of squeezing the trigger while maintaining proper sight alignment.) e. Follow-through 6. Live fire exercises a. Supply shooter with one round of ammunition at a time. b. Direct shooter to LOAD. c. When shooter is ready, direct him/her to COMMENCE FIRING. d. Instruct shooter to CEASE FIRE and ensure firearm is unloaded. e. Have shooter fire a three-or five-shot group on the target. f. Observe closely, watching the gun and the shooter, not the target. g. Be sure all applicable safety rules are followed. h. Supply shooter with three or five rounds of ammunition. i. Direct shooter to LOAD. j. When shooter is ready, direct him/her to COMMENCE FIRING. k. Be sure shooter rests between shots. l. After the group has been fired, instruct shooter to CEASE FIRE and ensure the firearm is completely unloaded. m. REPEAT steps h-l as time permits. 7. Adjust sights If time permits and shooter has shot groups of a reasonably-small size, explain the rule for adjusting sights: "Move the rear sight in the same direction that the hits on the target should move." Direct shooter to make sight adjustments as necessary. 8. Resume live fire exercises as described in step 6 above F. REVIEW OF SHOOTING PRACTICE Ask shooter what s/he learned from the day's shooting practice. G. CONCLUDE LESSON III 1. Ask shooter: a. What are the three basic range commands and what do they mean? [LOAD, COMMENCE FIRING, CEASE FIRE] b. Name as many of the eight NRA safety rules for using and storing a gun as you can? 2. Do you have any questions about this lesson? LESSON IV -- INTRODUCTION TO RIFLE CLEANING, STORING, AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES --------------------------------------------------------------------(30 minutes) A. INTRODUCE LESSON: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: 1. Identify the seven materials needed to clean a gun. 2. Outline the three safety guidelines to be followed when cleaning a gun. 3. Explain and demonstrate how to clean a gun safely. 4. Name the NRA rule for safe firearm storage, and discuss options for applying this rule when storing a rifle. 5. Discuss the three hygienic guidelines following exposure to airborne particulate lead and cleaning solvent residue. 6. Discuss the benefits of receiving additional training through the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program. B. CLEANING A FIREARM 1. Importance of cleaning: Do you remember the rule "Be sure the gun is safe to operate"? Regular cleaning and proper storage is part of a gun's general upkeep. Although many people think a gun should be cleaned after EVERY shooting session, I think they should be cleaned when cleaning is needed. 2. Some firearms need to be partially disassembled prior to cleaning. Consult the owner's manual for specific recommendations the manufacturer may have regarding cleaning and for any disassembly/reassembly directions. 3. Materials necessary to clean a rifle: a. Cleaning rod and ------------------+ b. attachments (tips and bore brush) + OR A BORE "SNAKE"! c. Cloth patches ---------------------+ d. Bore-cleaning solvent products e. Gun oil f. Clean cloth g. Small brush 4. Safety guidelines -- Based on what you know about gun safety, give some safety guidelines to be followed when cleaning a firearm? a. Ammunition must not be present in the area b. The gun must be unloaded c. The action must be open 5. Practical gun-cleaning exercise a. Attach brush to cleaning rod and apply bore cleaner to brush. b. Run brush through bore several (8-10?) times. NOTE: Bores should be cleaned from the breech end whenever possible. c. Run wet patch through bore. d. Run dry patch through bore. e. If dry patch is dirty, repeat steps a-d until dry patch comes out clean. f. Run LIGHTLY-oiled patch through bore. g. Use a small brush or cloth and solvent to clean other parts of gun. h. Wipe rifle with LIGHTLY-oiled cloth. C. HYGIENIC GUIDELINES FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE LEAD PARTICLES OR CLEANING-SOLVENT RESIDUE 1. Do NOT eat, drink, smoke, apply makeup, or otherwise place your hands and/or fingers near your mouth or nose while on the range or while cleaning a gun. 2. Afterwards, wash your hands and face thoroughly before eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, or otherwise placing your hands and/or fingers near your mouth or nose. 3. Change and wash clothing after a shooting or gun-cleaning session to further minimize exposure to airborne lead particles or solvent residue. These guidelines should be practiced by EVERYONE who was present or other- wise exposed, even if they did not shoot or participate in the cleaning. D. STORING A FIREARM Do you remember the rule "Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons"? There is no universally-applicable method for applying this rule, and storage options must take into account each individual's particular situation. (Examples: Are there young children in the house? Can visitors roam through the house?) Some of the options available for firearm storage are gun cases, cabinets, safes, etc. [DEMO a homemade lockable case as an example.] Ammunition should generally be stored SEPARATELY from guns and should likewise be stored so that it is NOT accessible to unauthorized persons. Furthermore, many states and/or local jurisdictions may have laws governing the storage of guns and ammunition. (See the KS version of YOUR STATE GUN LAWS brochure) E. THE "NEXT STEP" 1. NRA Basic Firearm Training Program 2. Membership in the National Rifle Association 3. Other shooting activities a. 4-H Shooting Sports program b. NRA: Marksmanship Qualification Program (do-it-yourself honor system) Shooting Sports Camp (usually held near Abilene?) Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) Youth Education Summit & Scholarship Program www.nrainsights.org and InSights Magazine (news for young shooters) Eagle Scout Recognition Youth Wildlife Art Contest Civil Rights Defense Fund Youth Essay Contest F. CONCLUDE LESSON IV 1. Ask shooter: a. What are the seven materials needed to clean a rifle? b. What three safety guidelines must be followed when cleaning a rifle? c. What did you learn from the rifle cleaning practical exercise? d. What three hygienic guidelines should be followed after exposure to airborne lead particles lead or cleaning-solvent residue? e. What is the NRA rule for safe storage of a gun? f. Name some additional rifle training opportunities available from the National Rifle Association? G. COURSE REVIEW 1. Do you have any questions about ANYTHING we've covered today? 2. Distribute completed NRA FIRST-STEPS Certificates ---------- cut here ---------- cut here ---------- cut here ---------- This page was last modified on Saturday, 14 November 2009.