With the hunting season in full swing, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is joining with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to remind hunters that safety remains at the core of America's hunting traditions.
"This is a time of year when a lot of firearms are in use and in transport," said Fred Kimmel, LDWF Education Program Manager. "We want everyone who enjoys hunting opportunities in Louisiana to know that materials and resources are available to provide education and important reminders about how to be safe with their firearms in the field, on the range, at home and everywhere in between."
NSSF's campaign, "The Hunt isn't Over Until You Are S.A.F.E." is part of the Project ChildSafe program, which NSSF launched in 1998. S.A.F.E. is an acronym for Secure your firearms when not in use; Be Aware of those around you who should not have unauthorized access to firearms; Focus on your responsibility as a firearm owner and Educate yourself and others about safe firearm handling and storage. Project ChildSafe emphasizes safely securing firearms when they are not in use as the #1 way to prevent firearm accidents.
To complement Louisiana's hunter safety programs, NSSF has made several resources available, which can be found on THE PROJECT CHILDSAFE WEBSITE. These include:
- Tips and guidelines on safe firearm handling
- An infographic with guidelines on a variety of firearm storage options
- Information on where to get a free firearm safety kit including a cable-style gun lock
"We're very thankful to have the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' help in getting this information out to hunters-we want to help everyone hunt responsibly, return home safe and securely store their unloaded firearms," said NSSF CEO Steve Sanetti. "The more we can get this information in the hands of hunters and others in the shooting sports community, and the more that gun owners can do to share these messages with others, the more we can help prevent firearm accidents."
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing habitats to sustain and protect fish and wildlife species, as well as to provide quality outdoor recreation for the public and education on the use of those resources.
For more information: visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov, at www.facebook.com/ldwffb; on Twitter @LDWF; or by contacting Fred Kimmel at fkimmel@wlf.la.gov or 225-765-2355.
