SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/hunt-misfire

You pull the trigger and the gun does not fire. What should you do?

Keep the muzzle pointed safely, wait, then carefully unload.

  1. Look down the barrel to see what happened
  2. Keep the muzzle safe, wait, then unload carefully ✔
  3. Pull the trigger again right away

Why: A round that did not fire can still go off a moment later. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and your face away from the breech. Hunter education courses teach waiting at least 30 seconds before opening the action.

Huh, didn't know that: The NSSF reminds shooters that any time there is a cartridge in the chamber, the gun is loaded.

The dad joke
Why did the hunter wait so patiently? He knew good things come to those who wait.
Like this card?
Play the game

Sources

  1. NSSF, Rules of Firearms Safety https://www.nssf.org/safety/rules-firearms-safety/
  2. CT DEEP Hunter Safety Exam Answer Key https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/hunting_trapping/pdf_files/Hunter_Safety_Manual/ExamAnswerKey.pdf?la=en

Test yourself in the game

Hunting SafetyUnder the primary rules of firearm safety, how should you treat every firearm?Hunting SafetyWhen carrying a firearm, where should your trigger finger be?Hunting SafetyWhich firearm safety rule does the NSSF call the most basic rule of all?

That's stuff everyone should know.