Firearm Safety

Inside every Henry Repeating Arms user manual is an expanded list of rules and guidelines to follow for your safety and the safety of those around you. Those rules are as follows:

General Firearm Safety Rules

1. Always Point Your Firearm in a Safe Direction
   NEVER point a firearm at anyone or anything you do not intend to shoot, whether or not it is loaded. This rule is particularly important when loading, unloading, or field stripping the firearm. ALWAYS control the direction of the firearm; if it fires accidentally, injury, death, or damage to property can be avoided. NEVER SHOOT ACROSS A HIGHWAY OR ANOTHER ROADWAY.
2. Always Treat Every Firearm as if it is Loaded and Will Fire
   Do not assume that a firearm is unloaded – always check for yourself. Never pass your firearm to another person until the cylinder or action is open and you visually check that it is unloaded. Keep your firearm unloaded and safely stored when not in use.
3. Always Keep Your Finger off the Trigger Until you are Ready to Shoot
   You should also take care to ensure that other objects do not touch the trigger. This is true even if the safety is activated.
4. Always be Sure of Your Target and What is Beyond
   A bullet could travel through or past your target for up to 1½ miles. Always be sure your backstop is adequate to stop and contain bullets before beginning target practice so that you do not hit anything outside the range shooting area. If in doubt, don’t shoot! Do not fire randomly into the sky.
5. Never use Alcohol or Drugs Before or While Shooting
   Your vision, motor skills, and judgment could be dangerously impaired, making your gun handling unsafe to you and to others. Further, do not use your firearm if you are on any medication that impairs, even slightly, your mental or physical ability.
6. Always Seek a Doctor’s Advice if you are Taking Medication
   Be sure you are fit to shoot and handle your firearm safely.
7. Never Shoot at a Hard Surface Such as a Rock or a Liquid Surface Such as Water
   A bullet may ricochet and travel in any direction to strike you or an object you cannot see, causing injury, death, or damage to property.
8. Never Discharge a Firearm Near Flammable Material
   Flame and sparks erupt from the firearm when discharged. They could start a fire or cause flammable liquids to explode.
9. Always be Aware of the Possible Risks of Dropping Your Firearm
   Some parts of the mechanism could be damaged. You may not see the damage, but it could be severe. The firearm may discharge and cause injury, death, or damage to property. If your firearm has been dropped, have it examined by a competent gunsmith before using it again.
10. Always Keep and Carry Your Firearm Empty in the “Safe” Position
    The safety mechanism on your firearm should only be deactivated when you intend to shoot.
11. Never Cross Obstacles Such as Fences or Climb With a Loaded Firearm
    Always make certain your firearm is unloaded before crossing a fence, climbing a tree, jumping a ditch, or approaching other obstacles.
12. Never Transport a Loaded Firearm
    Keep all firearms unloaded during transport, even when stored in a holster, gun case, scabbard, or other container.
13. Never Walk, Climb, or Follow a Companion With Your Firearm Cocked and Ready to Fire
    When hunting, hold your firearm so that you can always control the direction of the muzzle.
14. Never Leave a Loaded Firearm Unattended
    Someone, especially a child, may fire it and cause injury, death, or damage to property.
15. Always Instruct Children and Non-shooters to Respect Firearms
    If you teach your children to shoot or get them trained by a qualified instructor, be certain they know how to use the firearm properly and always supervise them closely. Always stress safety so that your children or others will not fire a rifle when or where it is unsafe to do so.

If you have little or no experience in the safe handling and operation of a firearm, we strongly urge you to take a firearms safety course from an NRA Certified Instructor or someone with equivalent qualifications before using any firearm. Visit the Resources section below to find an NRA Training Course near you, or contact your firearms dealer, law enforcement agency, or local sportsman’s club for more information.