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FIREARM SAFETY

Winchester Canyon Gun Club is dedicated to the public and it's members to learn, practice and challenge your marksmanship skills within all national, state and local firearm safety standards. Please see below for information regarding our commitment to firearm safety.

Winchester Canyon Gun Club has onsite, during public hours (Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays), certified Range Safety Officers at each of its ranges for everyones safety. Before becoming a member, each member applicant is put thru an online safety briefing as well as an in-person safety briefing. All members applicants must prove to our Range Safety Officer during the in-person briefing their knowledge and competency with handling a firearm safely. 

Adult Shooters must be over the age of 21 or over the age of 18 with a valid & unexpired Hunting License. Signed waiver is good for one year. Click Here for St. of California Hunter Education information: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Hunter-Education 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL WCGC RANGE SAFETY RULES

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO WCGC

Winchester Canyon Gun Club is a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status as described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code.

Firearms safety begins with understanding and carefully following the rules of safe gun handling.

Before handling any firearm, familiarize yourself with these safety procedures:

  • Know how the firearm operates — including safely opening and closing the action of the firearm, and removing ammunition from the gun or its magazine. For free safety and operating instructions, write to the manufacturer or visit its website.
  • Always keep a gun pointed in a safe direction, even when handling an unloaded gun — so that if it were to fire it would not result in injury.
  • Never assume that a firearm is unloaded. Immediately open the action and look into the chamber(s) for ammunition, or if the gun has a magazine, carefully remove it before opening the action.
  • Always keep your finger off the trigger, even when handling an unloaded gun. Your finger should rest outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. The only time you should touch the trigger is when you are ready to safely fire.

Remember, nearly all firearms accidents in the home can be prevented simply by making sure that guns are kept unloaded and locked up, with ammunition secured in a separate location.

TEN TIPS FOR FIREARM SAFETY IN YOUR HOME

  • Always keep the firearm’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. A “safe direction” means that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred, it would not result in injury.

  • Always keep your finger off the trigger until you actually intend to shoot. When handling a gun, rest your finger outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Don’t touch the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.

  • Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use. Whenever you pick up a gun, such as when removing it from or returning it to storage, remember to point it in a safe direction and make sure it is unloaded.

  • Be sure you know how your firearm operates: read the manual on your firearm, know how to safely open and close the action of the firearm and know how to safely remove any ammunition from the firearm and its magazine.

  • Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe, gun vault or storage case when not in use, ensuring they are in a location inaccessible by children and cannot be handled by anyone without your permission.

  • Store your ammunition in a locked location separate from firearms.

  • Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use. A gun lock should be used as an additional safety precaution and not as a substitute for secure storage.

  • Make sure young people in your home are aware of and understand the safety guidelines concerning firearms. Have them sign the Project ChildSafe Pledge for young people—a reminder that if they find an unattended firearm in their home or a neighbor’s to not touch it, and tell an adult.

  • Always unload, clean and place your firearms in their secure storage location immediately after returning from a hunting trip or a day at the range.

  • Educate everyone in your family about firearms safety. Visit the Project ChildSafe website for safety information and to find out where to get a free firearm safety kit in your area.



GUN STORAGE FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE

Click Link above for a Range of Options for Safe Gun Storage

HUNTER EDUCATION

Hunter Education Classes are available throughout the state.

HUNTING CHECKLIST FOR FAMILIES

Hunting is a rich tradition, often passed down from family members to the next generation. The time may come when it’s your turn to introduce your children to this unique, exciting experience. Start by sharing stories about exploring the outdoors, outsmarting the game or even your first hunt; and please remember that safety should be part of every conversation about hunting and firearm use. The most important part of sharing this experience with your loved ones is ensuring they understand that proper precautions and responsible use of firearms can help make every hunting trip safe, fun and memorable.

Don’t know where to start?  Use the following checklist as your guide:

❏  My hunting companions and I share a commitment to responsible, lawful and ethical hunting. 

❏  My family and friends know where I’m going and when I’ll return from a hunting trip.❏  I am adequately prepared and have previously:

    •  Practiced my shooting skills
    •  Reviewed the rules of firearm safety, paying special attention to:
      •  ALWAYS keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction
      •  ALWAYS keeping my finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
      •  ALWAYS keeping the gun unloaded until ready to use
    •  Maintained my firearms to keep them working properly and reliably
    •  Obtained all necessary licenses and tags required by my state’s hunting regulations
    •  Become aware of the hunting property’s borders so that I will not wander beyond them

❏ My group is wearing hunter orange clothing to ensure that neither I nor anyone in my group is mistaken for game. 

❏ I am carrying appropriate safety equipment, including:

  • A first aid kit and emergency survival kit
  • Plenty of water and/or a means of water purification
  • A gun case or other mechanism to safely transport my firearm 
  • Cell phone/radio/GPS/maps/compass (and extra batteries)

❏ I unload a gun when climbing, crossing a fence, jumping across a stream or getting into or out of a vehicle.  

❏ When hunting from a tree stand, I:

      • Make sure it is securely fastened and stable before climbing 
      • Always use a rope or tether in case I fall while climbing
      • Use a seatbelt in the stand
      • Use a rope for hoisting and lowering an unloaded firearm

❏ I follow safety precautions before shooting by:

  • Inspecting the target’s surroundings
  • Using proper caliber for the game
  • Being aware of where other hunters are standing
❏ After the hunt, I store firearms securely and safely out of the reach of children or other unauthorized individuals. 

❏ I store ammunition separately from the gun when it’s not being used.


   Firearm Safety Information curtesy of ProjectChildsafe.org.

Winchester Canyon Gun Club

6620 West Camino Cielo, 
Santa Barbara, CA 93105 
(do not send mail to this address)

Map & Directions HERE


WINCHESTER CANYON GUN CLUB IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
© 2023 WINCHESTER CANYON GUN CLUB. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 

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