INTRO TO FIREARM SAFETY!

What percent of the US population hunts? 9% SW 17

What percent is against hunting? 11%

11% 80% Neutral 9%

What are some actions by hunters that could cause neutral people to turn against hunting?

Actions that make hunters look bad to non-hunters Law violations Over the legal limit Killing protected species Hunting out of season, or Poaching Hunting accidents Drinking “in uniform” Displaying game on your hood

Reasons to be concerned about public opinion Non-hunters are the majority of voters Un-informed voters may support bad laws that affect hunters & hunting

Reasons to be concerned about public opinion Fewer family farms = fewer places to hunt, so we need the goodwill of voters and land owners alike

Introducing Hunter Education What agency in Minnesota is responsible for managing and protecting wildlife, regulating the taking of game animals, and sponsoring the hunter education program? Minnesota Department of Natural Resources SW 17, #4

Two Primary Objectives of Hunter Education 1. Prevent accidents Hunting Tree stands Target shooting Firearms at home SW 17, #6

Injury rate for different outdoor activities Sport Participants Injuries Injuries per 100.000 participants Football 17,800,000 418,260 235.0 Basketball 29,900,000 512,213 171.3 Bicycle Riding 43,100,000 485,669 112.7 Baseball 14,200,000 155,898 109.8 Fishing 43,300,000  63,026 14.6 Golf 24,700,000 34,382 13.9 Hunting 20,900,000 903 0.4 Sources: Participants - National Sporting Goods Association, 2005.

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2. Ensure the future of hunting Obey laws and regulations Support passage of good laws Develop Personal Ethics

Ethical Hunting 1. Respect for Self 2. Respect for Others 3. Responsibility for Actions 4. Respect for Resource

Major Funding for Firearm Safety Pittman – Robertson Act of 1937. 11% tax on sporting goods to help protect habitat, wildlife, water and to help fund hunter ed. Programs (collect $3.5 million/day) Others: Duck Unlimited, Pheasant Forever, Sportsman club, IHEA, NRA =National Rifle Association, state/federal agencies, firearm/archery manufacturers, You.

Firearm Safety Main outcome of Firearm Safety is to prevent firearm and hunting accidents and to ensure the future of hunting and shooting sports through the compliances with laws, regulations and ethics. (Accident data!)

Epidemiology Firearm Injury Statistics 1968 to 1991 study, firearm-related deaths in 1991 exceeded the number of motor vehicle related deaths in the United States. Firearm related injuries are the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 yrs. It is estimated that the number of children sustaining non-fatal firearm injuries is four to five times greater than the number of children who die from such injuries each year. Handguns account for the majority of firearm related Everyday 11 people under 19 are killed by firearms. injuries in the United States.

Epidemiology Cont’d Firearm Prevalence Statistics Approximately 50% of all US homes have a firearm. Over 50% of handguns are stored loaded or with the ammunition Keeping a gun in the home increases the chances of a homicide by three times and increases the chances of a suicide by five times. A gun kept in a household is 43 times more likely to kill someone that the family knows than to kill someone in self-defense. 77% of violent deaths in schools are caused by firearms.

Firearm Facts in Children Children watch an average of 45 violent acts on TV each day. Playing with toy guns may contribute to unintentional shootings.

Cost to Healthcare In 1994, the mean cost per injury due to gunshots was approximately $17,000. The injuries due to gunshots in 1994 alone, created a projected $2.3 billion in medical costs over a lifetime. Of the $2.3 billion, $1.1 billion will be paid by taxpayers.

Cost of Prevention Not having a gun in the house $0 Trigger locks for guns $10 Lockable cabinet $30 -$50 Home firearm safety training $50-$100 Fire-resistant safe $1500 Preventing a child death Priceless

Keep Children Safe Parents and gun manufacturers need to take responsibility for safety. Research shows that telling children not to touch guns does not work.

Firearm Safety Tips Don’t buy a gun unless you know how to use it safely. Store it unloaded and locked up. Lock it out of children’s reach. Lock up ammunition separately from the gun. Keep trigger locks on your guns for extra prevention, or disassemble your gun completely.

The 10 Commandments of Firearm Safety

1. Treat Every Gun as if it were loaded!

2. Control Your Muzzle!

3. Know your target and what is beyond!

4. Never point a Gun at anything that you do not intend to shoot!

5. Unload Guns when not in use! Note: Action open

6. Store guns and ammunition separately!

7. Unload before Crossing obstacle!

8. Be Sure barrel is clear of obstructions!

9. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or water 9. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or water! Make sure you have a safe backstop!

10. Never mix guns and Alcohol!

Remember…