Gun safety is an important issue, no matter if the gun is a firing weapon or a non-firing replica. Despite the fact that the replica will not fire bullets, it still looks just like a real gun. For this reason, it is important to teach and practice gun safety procedures when handling a replica, just like a real gun.

Real VS. Replica

Before discussing the importance of gun safety even with a non-firing replica gun, it is important to understand how replicas differ from real guns. Replica guns usually lack the mechanism to fire a projectile and instead fire either blank rounds or are not capable of firing anything at all. 

Because of how realistic modern replica guns look, it is required by law that they include an orange plastic plug on the end of them. This helps the public and police differentiate between a replica firearm and the real deal. 

Basic Gun Safety

Whether your replica is blank-firing or non-firing, it is important to practice the four basic gun safety rules:

• Treat all guns as if they are always loaded. 
• Never let the muzzle point at anything that you are not willing to shoot. 
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to shoot. 
• Be sure of your target and what is behind it. Never point your replica at anything living. 

While it may seem silly to practice these rules on replica weapons, working on gun safety with non-firing guns serves a purpose. When you are ready to use a real firearm you will already be practiced at how to handle the gun safely. 

Why Practice Gun Safety

Practicing the same gun safety procedures with a non-firing replica as with a real firearm can help to build a sense of respect and caution when handling a weapon. Using a replica can also  help to familiarize gun owners with general gun handling techniques. Knowing and practicing gun safety procedures with a replica can help to ensure that gun owners are properly prepared if they ever encounter a real firearm.

Gun Handling Techniques

In addition, practicing gun safety with a replica can help to familiarize gun owners with general gun handling techniques. Knowing and practicing gun safety procedures with a replica can help to ensure that gun owners are properly prepared if they ever encounter a real firearm. This is especially important with teenagers and children, who should be taught proper gun safety at an early age. Being educated and prepared can help to prevent a potentially dangerous situation if an individual encounters a real firearm. This includes respecting the manufacturer's instructions regarding the ownership and handling of the replica, storing it safely and securely, and avoiding the display of the replica in public unless allowed by law. 

Gun Safety for Teens

This is especially important with teenagers and children, who should be taught proper gun safety at an early age. Being educated and prepared can help to prevent a potentially dangerous situation if an individual encounters a real firearm. This respectful attitude should be instilled not only when handling a replica, but with all firearms. With the understanding that a replica should be respected and handled in the same safe manner as a real firearm, gun owners can use replicas as learning tools to help instill a safe attitude.

Dangers of Blank Guns

The lack of projectile or bullet does not diminish the need to practice gun safety when handling a replica blank gun. These guns still expel hot gas and sometimes the wad of paper that the gunpowder was contained in. This gas and paper exits the gun at a high rate of speed and can injure or even kill if it is pointed in the wrong direction. It is important to always treat a blank gun as if it is loaded, and with the same respect and caution as one would a real gun. 

Armory knows why practicing gun safety with replica guns is crucial.

Gun safety is an important issue no matter if the gun is a replica or a real firearm. While replicas are not able to fire projectiles, they should still be treated with the same respect and caution as a real gun. Practicing gun safety with a replica can help to instill a sense of respect and caution when handling firearms, as well as teach individuals to be better prepared if they ever encounter a real firearm.