Gun ownership doesn’t end with owning a gun. The important thing is to be a responsible gun owner. Owning a gun is great, but it also comes with great responsibility. Guns are great tools and good equalizers between individuals, but they also have a destructive potential that can be devastating when guns are handled by irresponsible individuals. If you are a first time handgun buyer, we give these tips on how to become a responsible gun owner.

Store Guns and Ammo Separately

To begin with, you need to practice storing your firearms and their ammunition in different places. There are a few important reasons for this. First, it prevents children or other people who should not be using their guns from shooting them, and second, it ensures that a would-be thief cannot get both your gun and the bullets you fire.

You may be wondering if this is beneficial if you keep your guns primarily for yourself. The simple truth is that your firearms and ammunition don’t need to be stored separately so you don’t load your gun in a home invasion situation. But don’t store them next to each other.

Keep Guns Stored Safely and Secretly

Also, be sure to keep all of your guns safe and possibly secret, depending on who is in your family. For example, it’s almost always a great idea to keep guns in a place that children can’t normally explore or reach. This prevents them from accidentally tripping over your gun and discharging it (in case they also discover ammunition for a wound). Secure storage can refer to a whole host of items, but it usually means storing your firearm so that it cannot be easily retrieved without a key or combination. Display cases are gun cabinets or safes that can be an especially good investment because they protect your firearms from both vandalism and fire.

Always Assume Guns Are Loaded

Any responsible gun owner will tell you that you should always assume that your firearms are loaded, even if you are 100% convinced that there are no bullets in the gun. Assume a firearm is full because you can never be 100% sure. This includes: never point the barrel of a firearm at someone unless you want to, don’t throw firearms recklessly, and do not look down the barrel of your firearm unless your firearm is disassembled or fully inspected for capsules.

Maintain Your Gun Well

Likewise, a firearm owner will keep their firearm(s) properly stored at all times. This includes preventive care, such as cleaning the firearm of debris, dust, and oil. Residues can build up over time and affect how a firearm works, essentially making it harmful the next time you want to use it. You also need to make sure that your firearm doesn’t rust over time.

This may mean cleaning off any rust that has accumulated over the months and using rust-proofing gun oils along with other chemicals to prevent it from coming back. It’s also advisable to take your gun to a gunsmith or other firearms specialist if you feel it’s functioning improperly or behaving strangely.