The coronavirus pandemic, and the ensuing panic, has changed the gun narrative in America. Now more than ever in recent memory, Americans are turning to the Second Amendment to ensure the safety of their families. Gun and ammo sales continue to soar; that means many first-time buyers are heading to gun stores. We want to make sure new gun owners have the proper training. So we’ve put together a three-part introductory video series on handgun, rifle, and shotgun training, skills, and safety. Here’s the third video in our series, focusing on shotguns. Be sure to check out “Part I: Handgun Training” and “Part II: Rifle Training” as well.
Shotgun Training, Skills and Safety
First and foremost, all gun owners must follow the four basic gun safety rules: Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to destroy. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. Know your target and what’s beyond it. Those four rules should define every choice you ever make in gun handling. Follow them religiously, and you’ll never have a problem, a negligent discharge or worse.
The shotgun remains one of the most effective tools for home defense. Users can load low-brass birdshot to ensure rounds don’t over-penetrate interior walls. For more firepower, buckshot also becomes a formidable stopper. And when you really have to take down something big or engage targets at range, slugs prove devastating.
But there is much to learn to effectively manipulate, run and fire a shotgun in a defensive setting. Watch our video, learn, and then invest in some quality, certified instruction. Then get on the range and practice, practice, practice. Shotgun loading takes time to master, and you can never be proficient enough running a defensive shotgun.
Welcome to the firearms community. Get trained, practiced hard, and have fun out there on the rang. And remember, share what you’ve learned with others.
