"Don't discourage your boy if he wants to go off for a day's shooting...."

"DON'TS" FOR PUPILS IN MARKSMANSHIP

 

Excellent Tips for Beginners, by Veteran
Marksman Jim Conlin.
 



   James S. Conlin, the veteran marksman of this city, has just issued for the guidance of those who want to become marksmen a series of suggestions that nearly half a century of experiance has prove the value of to himself, which he calls "Forty Golden Rules for Those who Handle Firearms." Here are the best of these suggestions which it Will pay every shooter to bear in mind:

   Don't point a gun or pistol at anybody unless you mean to kill.

   Dont look down the muzzle of a weapon. It's a dangerous practice.

   Don't be careless in the use of firearms. It begets accidents.

   Don't imagine the gun is not loaded. That is the kind that generally goes on when you dont want it to.

   Don't handle firearms without first receiving proper instructions.

   Don't leave loaded firearms In reach of children. The little ones are generally fond of such things.

   Don't snap a gun unless you are positive it is empty.

   Don't lose your temper in a friendly competition.

   Don't think you know it all, but try to learn more.

   Don't walk around the range with a loaded gun or pistol. There are no wild animals prowling about, and besides it's dangerous.

   Don't blame the gun or ammunition when you shoot badly. The chances are that the fault is with yourself.

   Don't give up the match until the last shot is fired.

   Don't blow down the muzzle of your loaded pistol. It might be cocked and you'd regret it.

   Don't overload your gun you may damage it, and yourself as well.

   Don't put your gun away dirty. To shoot well it must be kept clean.

   Don't have an excuse for every defeat. Own up and do better next time.

   Don't be disgusted if you happen to make a poor score and say you will give up shooting. It does not show true metal.

   Don't forget that practice makes perfect, and that it is within the province of every man to become at least a fair shot.

   Don't carry a revolver until you have bad proper instructions how to use it.

   Don't borrow your friend's rifle and send it home dirty or rusty. It is not sportsmanlike.

   Don't point a revolver or any other firearm at your toes; you might lose one or two of them.

   Don't buy firearms because they are cheap. They might prove very expensive.

   Don't get it into your head that you are the only man who knows how to shoot. Credit others with a little knowledge.

   Don't touch the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

   Don't pull a gun over a fence, out of a boat, or off a wagon with the muzzle toward you.

   Don't carry your gun so that the muzzle points in the direction of any one. There are always chances for the accidental discharge of your weapon.

   Don't forgot your ammunition when you are shooting.

   Don't annoy an opponent when shooting a match. It is not gentlemanly.

   Don't change the sights of your rifle for every bad shot. The sights represent but one factor of many to be considered.

   Don't get within range of an inexperienced person when he is handling a loaded weapon.

   Don't forget that a dirty gun will not shoot well.

   Don't fail to look through your gun before reloading it. after you have fired a shot. It might have an obstruction in it.

   Don't discourage your boy if he wants to go off for a day's shooting. Manly boys like such sport. Go with him, and give him all the points you can.

   Don't forget that the danger lies in ignorance and carelessness.

   "How is it possible," said Mr. Conlin cheerfully, "for an accident to happen if a man heeds these chunks of advice. Every accident that has happened with a gun since I have had anything to do with firearms occurred because the fellow who was hurt or who hurt somebody else ignored some one of the precautions here laid down."   Mr. Conlin is right about it, the patrons of his gallery all say.

 

[The Sun, New York, Sunday, September 28, 1890. Vol. LVIII.--No. 28. Pg. 25]