Coastal Gun Safety

Handle with care

Owning a firearm can be exciting, whether you’re shooting, hunting or collecting guns. There are nearly as many guns as there are personalities and Coastal has a deep selection of handguns, rifles, shotguns and collector’s pieces for your enjoyment.

But as with any weapon, safety must be paramount. Rules must be followed as the potential for injury and death is always there. The same basic rules for gun safety have been passed down for generations, whether it’s through Hunter’s Safety Course or through family members who have long practiced them, because when followed – they work.

Coastal firearm specialists are quick to help any level of gun enthusiast. They are particular well-suited for helping the beginner get acquainted with a gun, from how to handle one, what guns are most ideal for various situations and the safety steps when dealing with guns.

Coastal has developed its own ‘5 Cardinal Rules of Safety’ when showing customers the proper and safest ways to handle a gun...

Rule #1 - All guns are loaded - Always

This simply means you must always treat every gun as if it’s loaded. Always assume that every gun you come into contact with is loaded until you have physically verified yourself what condition the firearm is in. Don’t ever rely on anyone’s word for it. When you hold a gun in your hand, you are responsible for it and anything that occurs while in your possession. If  you don’t know how a gun works, leave it alone and find a knowledgeable person to show you.

Rule #2 - Never point a firearm at anything you're not willing to shoot - Ever

You must always be aware of where your gun is pointed at all times. Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy. This is the rule that saves lives. You MUST exercise due caution and diligence when handling a firearm. It’s a big responsibility.

Rule #3 - Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard

Always keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard until your sights are on target, and you have made the conscious decision to shoot. If you have your finger on the trigger and you are startled in some way, your brain will react with a primitive response that will tighten every muscle in the body, including the trigger finger, and gun will of course fire. If your finger is outside the trigger guard, it won’t. There is no in-between.

Rule #4 - Be sure of your target and what's beyond and around

The hand that holds the gun is responsible for whatever is done by that gun. If you fire a bullet, you are responsible for it – no matter where it lands or what it hits. You must know where your shot will go when you fire it. You must know what it might hit if you miss your intended target. And you must know what it can go through and still have enough energy/power to kill or hurt.

Rule #5 - Always lock up your guns

Whether you use a trigger lock, handgun safe or a cabinet safe, always keep your firearms locked. As a responsible gun owner, you know that your gun is always loaded (refer to Rule #1), but not everyone is aware of these rules. Children are naturally curious and there's always a chance someone could find your firearms. Keep them locked and away - it's smart, and it's easy.

We're committed to gun safety

Coastal takes gun safety extremely serious. So much so that Ed Boyd, our Compliance and Loss Prevention officer, also handles Coastal’s Federal Firearms Licensing. Ed spent 26 ½ years in law enforcement, 19 of those years with the Salem Police Department where he supervised and managed every functional area a police department offers its community. He has been a Chief of Police twice, once with the Salem Police department as Deputy Police Chief in charge of all field operations and as the Chief of Police for the city of Albany, Oregon. Ed also spent over 10 years working on SWAT as an entry team member, supervisor and team leader, ultimately becoming the Emergency Operations Commander (EOC) over all special teams in the Salem Police Department. After retiring in law enforcement Ed started working with Coastal in June, 2013. We’re lucky to have him.

Our firearm specialists are also thoroughly knowledgeable about a wide variety of guns and their accessories and can work with you if you’re just beginning to explore the world of guns or have been an expert for many years. We’re here to help you in whatever way we can.

So when thinking about guns and the world of firearms, think Coastal.