Browning BPS Owners Manual - Page 7

15 WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION WHEN SHOOTING. Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause hearing damage. Wear ear protectors (shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against such damage. Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying particles. Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury. Also, wear eye protection when disassembling and cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other agents from contacting your eyes. 16 DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED GUN CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE. This can occur even with the "safety" in the "on safe" position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid dropping any firearm. 17 IF YOUR GUN FAILS TO FIRE, KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. Hold this position for a minimum of 30 seconds. Carefully open the action and remove the shotshell. If the primer is indented, the shell should be disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of the malfunction should be corrected before further use. 18 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS. Don't be timid when it comes to gun safety. If you observe other shooters violating any of these safety precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices. 19 BE CERTAIN YOUR SHOTGUN IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING. Because so many gun accidents occur when a firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care should be taken to be sure your gun is unloaded before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly. Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location. Never test the mechanical function of any firearm with live ammunition. 6