As a responsible supplier of firearms, Hi-Point^® believes no issue is more important than gun safety. That's why we include a safety sheet with every firearm sold, and summarize that information on our website. We strongly urge you to learn and practice the following guidelines to help ensure safe handling of your firearm and help prevent accidents. Additionally, we encourage you to complete an approved firearm safety training course.

These precautions must become second nature to anyone handling a firearm. They are not ranked in order of importance, and each and every warning/instruction should be followed at all times.

ALWAYS carefully read and understand the manufacturer's manual for any firearm you intend to use BEFORE you use it.

ALWAYS use the proper ammunition as specified for your firearm. Use of faulty, reloaded, or incorrect size or caliber ammunition will cause failure of a firearm to operate, malfunction, misfires or explosion and should not be used due to risk of death or serious bodily harm to the shooter and/or bystanders. Never use ammunition that does not meet the manufacturer's requirements. The use of improper ammunition will void any warranty offered.

ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. NEVER point a gun – loaded or unloaded – at anything you are not aiming at and are prepared to shoot. Your first action upon picking up a firearm should always be to check whether it is loaded.

ALWAYS assume that every gun is loaded and ready to fire until you personally establish that it is not. Know how to check any firearm to establish whether it is loaded. Know how to clear (this involves making sure the firing chamber and the magazine or cylinder are unloaded) any firearm you touch. NEVER rely on someone else's word that a gun is unloaded. CHECK IT YOURSELF.

ALWAYS keep a firearm unloaded until it must be ready for immediate use. Only loaded firearms can discharge accidentally or cause any harm.

ALWAYS carry any firearm pointed in a safe direction while it is being handled, due to the possibility of accidental discharge, ESPECIALLY when you are loading, unloading or operating any other mechanism of the gun. This is when most accidental discharges occur. Never let the gun point at you or others when you are manipulating its parts or at any other time.

NEVER rely on any mechanical safety or transfer bar. Mechanical devices can break or fail. FIREARMS SAFETY DEPENDS ON YOU, THE USER. Safety mechanisms on are not guarantees against discharge and may not prevent accidental discharge if they have been damaged by misuse or abuse.

NEVER shoot at hard surfaces, water or randomly into the sky. Always select a place to shoot that has a safe backstop and is free from obstructions and water surfaces which could cause ricochets. There is no way to predict where a ricocheted bullet will go.

ALWAYS check for obstructions BEFORE you load the firearm or whenever there is any reason to expect that a blockage may have occurred. NEVER attempt to check the bore or chambers without first unloading and disassembling the firearm to a non-functioning state. Firing any firearm with a barrel or chamber obstruction can lead to serious injury. Keep bore and chambers free from rust and corrosion. Rust and corrosion can cause a sufficient obstruction to generate extreme overpressure upon firing, which may result in possible structural failure and serious injury to the shooter or bystanders.

ALWAYS wear proper safety-rated ear and eye protection when shooting. Ear protection reduces the cumulative and permanent hearing loss that results from unprotected exposure to gunfire. Use of impact resistant shooting glasses might protect your eyes in many circumstances where injury would result without them.

ALWAYS make sure all other persons are safely to the rear of the shooter and are wearing ear and eye protection as well when discharging any firearm.

ALWAYS cease firing immediately if you have a misfire or notice any unusual sound or recoil while discharging the firearm. Unload the firearm and check for obstruction before resuming firing. A misfire can result in a barrel obstruction which is extremely dangerous. In the event that you pull the trigger and your firearm does not properly discharge (a "delayed ignition"), do NOT pull the trigger again.

NEVER make alterations to any parts in your gun. Any adjustments that become necessary should be performed by a qualified gunsmith. Alterations will void the warranty. Do not risk your safety or the safety of others by making modifications to your firearm.

ALWAYS be sure of your target and what is beyond it. Always insure that there is a safe "field of fire" and that your bullet will stop behind your target. You may miss the target. Be sure there is nothing you DON'T want to hit in the direction you are shooting. Bullets can glance off many surfaces and travel in unpredictable directions with considerable velocity.

NEVER cross obstacles such as fences or streams with a loaded firearm. Always make certain your firearm is unloaded before navigating any obstacle, including but not limited to crossing a fence, climbing a tree, jumping a ditch, etc.

ALWAYS hold or carry your gun so that you can control the direction of the muzzle if you fall or stumble. Dropping guns or allowing an impact to a loaded gun accounts for many accidental discharges.

NEVER pull a gun toward you by grasping its muzzle. If the gun accidentally discharges, it will be pointed at you.

NEVER mix any alcohol or drugs with shooting, including using alcohol or drugs before shooting. Never use your firearm if you are on any medication which impairs, even slightly, your mental or physical ability. It is unsafe and just plain stupid.

NEVER allow a firearm to be used by individuals who do not understand its safe operation or have not read these firearm instructions and safety rules.

NEVER leave an unattended gun loaded. EVER. Store unattended guns unloaded and locked in a secure, clean, dry place. INSURE that unattended guns are beyond the reach of children, or any unauthorized user. Keep guns stored separately from ammunition. Your gun is YOUR responsibility.

ALWAYS carefully inspect your firearm and ammunition prior to use for any and all defects.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS OR FAILURE TO OBEY A SAFETY WARNING MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOU, TO OTHERS, OR SEVERELY DAMAGE THE FIREARM.

You can also find firearm safety and training information at the National Rifle Association website.