GLOCK Recognizes National Safety Month with Important Firearms Safety Guidelines

Smyrna, Ga. (June 19, 2012) — In honor of National Safety Month, GLOCK, a leading global manufacturer of pistols and accessories, wants to remind gun owners of 10 important safety rules. These safety tips will help users remain confident and safe when using a firearm.

Rule 1: Train with all your guns.
• Every gun is unique in the way it feels, handles and fires, so it’s important to achieve a maximum comfort level with every gun you own by practicing with each one separately at a local dealer or range. Done on a regular basis, this exercise will strengthen familiarity and muscle memory, so each gun feels as natural and comfortable as the next, even in stressful situations. While training on the range, remember to always use acceptable eye and ear protection.

Rule 2: Handle every firearm as if it’s loaded.

Rule 3: Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, away from yourself and others.
• A safe direction means that the muzzle of the gun is pointed so that if it were to accidently fire it would not cause injury or damage.

Rule 4: Keep your finger outside the firearm’s trigger guard and off the trigger until you have aligned the firearm’s sights on a safe target and you have made the decision to fire.

Rule 5: Always be certain that your target and the surrounding area are safe before firing.

Rule 6: Know your gun’s safety features.

• The safety features of firearms vary in accordance with the mechanical characteristics of each gun. Since guns can be so different, never handle any firearm without first having thoroughly familiarized yourself with the particular type of firearm you are using.

Rule 7: Store your gun properly.

• Guns placed in drawers, closets, desks, cabinets, or other unlocked, accessible places are simply not secure. For proper storage always use a personal safe or single gun lock box with a trigger lock placed on the firearm for an added layer of protection.

Rule 8: Educate loved ones on gun safety.
• Take time to teach your loved ones, including children of an appropriate age, the basic safety guidelines outlined here. Bring them with you to the range to become more comfortable around guns and to see their proper, safe use firsthand.

Rule 9: Ensure all users are properly trained.
• Whether it’s a family member or friend, it’s essential that anyone else who will be using your gun is properly trained. Gun education, training and classes are widely available for both adult beginners and children over a certain age, are offered for a reasonable fee and can be taken at firing ranges and dealers in your area.

Rule 10: Properly maintain your gun.
• Gun maintenance includes proper use, cleaning and service. It is important to use good ammunition of the proper caliber. Occasional cleaning and lubrication will keep your gun functioning at an optimal level. To maintain the integrity of the pistol, GLOCK recommends leaving it in factory-issued form with no aftermarket parts. Should an issue arise with a factory-issued pistol, contact the manufacturer’s customer service.

“Gun safety is at the core of GLOCK’s mission as a company, and we encourage all gun owners to take safety very serious,” said GLOCK Vice President Gary Fletcher. “Our industry expertise, online and in-person training and sport shooting events make GLOCK a proven partner in a gun owner’s life.”

For more information about GLOCK’s safety rules and procedures, please visit www.youliveyourlife.com.

About GLOCK, Inc.

The GLOCK GROUP is a leading global manufacturer of pistols and accessories. GLOCK’s superior engineering has produced a pistol with only 34 parts and a rugged polymer-frame, providing industry-leading reliability shot after shot. GLOCK is renowned for its pistols which are safe, featuring three safeties; simple, offering a low number of components to provide reliability; and fast, with no encumbering parts to slow the speed to fire. This combination makes GLOCK pistols the first choice among consumers and law enforcement, with 65% of agencies within the United States choosing to carry GLOCK. Austrian-engineered, the group has manufacturing facilities in the United States and Austria. Based in Smyrna, Ga., GLOCK, Inc. is an advocate for our nation’s law enforcement and military personnel, as well as all citizens’ Second Amendment right to bear arms. For more information, please visit www.glock.com.