got this somewhere long time ago ( hope di ako mademanda for posting this)..you can use this as an example
Proper safety and handling prevent gun accidents.
Whether you choose to own a gun or not, you could find yourself in a situation where knowing the basic procedures for safe gun handling could become very important. This pamphlet is designed to make you aware of the responsibility involved, and provide some general guidelines for safe gun handling. It is not intended to be a substitute for proper training in gun handling and safety.
GUN SAFETY TRAINING
There are federal, state and local laws governing the purchase and use of guns. Unfortunately, laws alone can't keep you, your family, or your friends safe from firearms that are not handled safely.
Gun "accidents" are the result of untrained people handling guns, or trained people being lax in proper handling procedures. The best way to prevent accidents is for everyone, owners and nonowners alike, to know and practice safe handling procedures. Participate in a recognized gun safety training program. Many programs are made available in most areas of the country through local law enforcement agencies, sportsmen clubs or the National Rifle Association. Then, when you handle a gun, apply what you know.
Remember, this pamphlet is not a substitute for proper training. It is intended to alert you to the need for training, and to provide hints to help keep you, your family, friends and community safer.
KNOW THE LAW
Law-abiding U.S. citizens and, in some states, legal resident aliens, are entitled to own a gun. Federal, state and local laws govern gun sales and define the method for using them.
Many states require licenses to purchase, while others require licenses to carry, a firearm. There are waiting periods and background checks required before you can own a gun.
Laws vary extensively from state to state, town to town, and even gun to gun. If you own or plan to own a gun, know and obey the laws that apply to ownership. Know the laws of neighboring states, too, in case you want to transport your gun into one of them. If you are going to move to another state, make law knowledge part of your planning.
Gun dealers and law enforcement agencies can generally help you comply. But knowing the laws yourself will help prevent your breaking them. Remember that gun control laws are supposed to combat crime; breaking those laws makes you a criminal.
TRANSPORT ONLY AN EMPTY GUN
Taking a gun outdoors? Before you do, make sure it is not loaded. Look from the rear through the barrel bore and chamber(s) to see if they are clear. If you are going to be shooting, be sure the guns are clean, dry and free of oil.
Transport your empty gun separate from the ammunition. Carrying a gun completely empty prevents it from being discharged accidentally. This gives you positive control of the gun by letting you make a conscious decision as to when to load it.
Law enforcement officers going on duty load their guns according to department guidelines.
There are also good general guidelines for private citizens. When going to a shooting range, keep your firearm empty until you get on the range and are ready to shoot. Load only according to the safety rules of the range. When leaving the range, unload your firearm before leaving your shooting position. Be absolutely sure it is empty by visually checking it.
HANDGUN HUNTING
When going hunting, wait until you are in place and starting the hunt before loading. Climbing up to a tree stand, always carry the gun empty, and carry your handgun in a holster. Load your gun after getting securely positioned in the stand.
NEVER POINT A GUN AT ANYONE
Always be aware of where you are pointing your gun. Wherever you are, keep the muzzle pointing in a safe direction, away from you and from other people.
On a shooting range, keep the muzzle pointing down range toward the target, or at the ground when not in a firing position. While hunting, keep the muzzle pointing at the ground until your target is in sight and in range. Then THINK... Where will my bullet go if I miss? Could it travel a long distance? Could it go through a wall? Could other people be close behind the target? DON'T BE SHORTSIGHTED ABOUT YOUR TARGET.
Know who or what is behind your target. If you have any doubts, don't shoot.
You are the one responsible for safety once you have possession of a gun. It's a big responsibility, so don't shirk it. Stay safe and keep others safe.
SHOW OTHERS YOUR GUN IS SAFE
When handling a gun around other people, make them feel safer and more comfortable by letting them see your gun is safe by carrying it open. An open shotgun chamber, the slide back on a pistol, the cylinder flipped out on a revolver or an open bolt on a rifle provides that reassurance, especially if the chambers are also empty.
If someone tries to hand you a gun, don't accept it without having them open it so you can see it is not loaded. Offer this same safe courtesy to others before handing them your gun. If you don't want to handle the gun, just refuse it and walk away, unless it's a child asking for your help.
INCREASE YOUR SAFETY MARGIN
To enjoy shooting, you and everyone around you must be safe and feel safe. And for others to respect the sport, they must see it as a safe activity that does not threaten or interfere with them. Once you load a firearm, it never leaves you and you never leave it. This is the only way to keep your loaded gun out of the wrong hands. Unfortunately, there are those who are less careful, and guns are sometimes left unattended.
When loading a revolver, leave one chamber empty and position it in line with the barrel. Keeping an empty chamber in this position means the revolver can only be fired by intentionally pulling the trigger.
A semiautomatic pistol, rifle or shotgun should be treated similarly. You may have ammunition in the gun, but keep the chamber empty until you are ready to shoot. Then charge a round into it.
Once there is a round in the chamber, your ability to handle the firearm is critical to everyone's safety.
Know your firearm.
There are many different kinds, each with their own characteristics. To be safe, you must understand the one you are carrying. Before you load a gun, read the manual and ask for help if necessary.
IF YOU FIND A GUN
Please take note: Anyone may face the situation of finding a gun... teachers, youth leaders, parents, hospital staff... even you. Children could also be in the position of finding or encountering a gun. Therefore, you not only need to know how to handle such a situation yourself, but you also need to educate your children and those under your supervision.
Educate children.
Prepare children by teaching them these three steps:
1. Do NOT touch the gun. Explain that if they touch it, it may fire and hurt someone.
2. Leave the scene. Tell them this will protect them from the risk of someone else touching and firing the gun.
3. Tell an adult. Explain that an adult can get help quickly to prevent an accident. Educate yourself.
This is not only important for those who have limited or no knowledge of handling guns, but also for people who handle guns but may be unfamiliar with the specific model involved. If you find a gun, or a child or other person seeks your help after finding a gun, alwaysand we mean alwaysassume it is loaded and ready to fire.
If you are not comfortable handling the gun, send someone to find qualified help (preferably a law enforcement officer) while you remain to alert others. However, if the situation does not permit this, it may be necessary for you to initiate steps to minimize the risk.
GUIDELINES TO REMEMBER
1. If a gun is found, minimize the risk and then contact the owner or the police.
2. Educate children to recognize the risks and get help.
3. If anyone is threatened with a gun, call the police.
4. If a gun is fired in your direction, fall to the ground immediately and lie flat, as it could be fired again. Once you know where the gun is, seek safety. If it's safe to move, crawl on your stomach to take cover behind a substantial object. Get out of the area as soon as it is safe.
5. If anyone needs help to get clear of danger, call the police.
6. If you feel threatened by someone handling a gun dangerously, immediately leave the area and call the police.
7. if you have control over the situation, ask the person to point the gun in a safe direction, unload it, open it and give it to you. If they cannot do that, have them point it in a safe direction, lay it down and step away from it.
Never get into a tug-of-war over a gun.
If you see someone injured by a gun-related incident, call the police as well as an ambulance. In most areas, a 911 emergency number system is in effect to handle emergency calls.
No one wants to be injured by a gunshot. Do all you can to be safe. Do all you can to keep others safe, too. Most of all, protect our children with education and lead by good example.