PIERRE, S.D.—With most of South Dakota’s hunting seasons closed, hunters should be taking extra precautions to make sure that their firearms are stored safely.

“The owners of firearms are responsible for safely securing firearms in their homes,” according to Curt Robertson, HuntSAFE coordinator for the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Department. “While accidents have decreased in the last 20 years, a consistent review of safety procedures involving guns and ammunition is always a good idea whether you’re a longtime or a first time firearms owner.”


Robertson notes a few easy-to-follow firearms safety rules that include:

· Always unload sporting firearms carefully and completely before taking them into the home. Never load a sporting firearm in the home.

· Always make absolutely sure that firearms in the home are securely stored in a location inaccessible to children. Ammunition should be stored in a separate location, locked and also inaccessible to children.

· Always place firearms in their proper storage location immediately after returning from a hunting trip or a day at the range.

· Always re-check firearms carefully and completely to confirm that they are “still” unloaded when they are removed from storage. Accidents have occurred when a family member has borrowed or loaned a firearm and returned it to storage while it was still loaded.

· Always remember that it is your responsibility to make certain the firearms in your home are not casually accessible to anyone--especially curious young people.



Open communications about firearms safety is crucial if there are children in the home. Most fatal accidents in the home involving firearms occur when youngsters—often children who do not live in the home—discover firearms that adults thought were inaccessible. “If a child approaches a firearm without safety knowledge in advance, it is an invitation to tragedy,” Robertson said.



Parents and guardians must explain firearms safety procedures to their children. Those procedures include:

· Never handle firearms without permission.

· Never play with firearms.

· Never touch a found firearm; immediately tell an adult.

· Obey all safe handling rules.



“The rights of firearm ownership also come with important responsibilities,” Robertson said. “Communication about firearms safety will ensure that tragedies can be avoided.”