What all gun holders need to know

Sometime last week, a one Ali Abdul Jabar was shot dead accidentally by a relative. The incident should be an eye opener to both private gun holders and security personnel.

For example, in UPDF, there is unwritten rule on gun handling - that a gun can only be in one’s hand or the armoury. The gun should not be placed/kept in any other place.

This rule or practice is applied to minimise third parties touching or accessing of a gun by a third party. In fact, if a gun accidentally fell from a UPDF officer’s hands to the ground, the officer is expected to fall flat on the ground in order to pick it.

This form of falling is painful. Secondly, you are not allowed to load a bullet in the gun chamber unless one is in operation. The is aimed at minimising unnecessary bullet discharges.

In security forces, every bullet is accounted for. The rule is that you either show a bullet or a body. This nature of accountability compels gun holders to be disciplined. If one loses a bullet, they face the same charge as someone who has lost a whole gun.
Given that scenario, all private gun holders should adhere to:

• Safety checks before and after using the gun. Safety checks include checking if the gun safe is open or closed, if the magazine is firmly fixed on the gun, knowing the number of rounds in the gun magazine, and ensuring that the baypnet is tacked in the barrel of the gun.
• The gun should be regularly cleaned both outside and inside.
• Avoid cocking the gun unnecessarily.
• Avoid pointing the gun at a person for no reason. A gun should only be aimed at the armed enemy.
• When armed, always avoid fights, confrontations and manage anger.
• When visiting ‘no gun areas’ like hospitals, shopping malls, schools, bars, etc, declare your fire arm to security on duty, obtain receipt confirming that you have deposited your gun for safe custody.
• On receiving your gun again, carry out safety checks in order to ensure that while you were away, someone did not tamper with your gun.
• While at home, keep the gun away from everyone at home, including your spouse.
• It is important that your gun is within reach, especially at night. In fact its advisable that the gun is kept under the pillow at night.
• At least once a year take your gun to police armoury technician to check if its in order.
• Know your gun number off head. Besides, register your gun with police. When travelling out of the country, deposit your gun at the nearest police station or airport police. Make sure you obtain SD reference for your gun custody.
• Remember that all gun cases are capital in nature. If convicted of a gun case whether shooting dead or aggravated robbery, the gun holder risks spending all their life in jail.
• Report loss of gun or ammunition to police immediately.
  Discharge of a bullet should be only at fighting an enemy. Don’t misuse the gun.

Samson Tonka,
[email protected]