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ALL ARMS WEAPON SAFETY

BY

MAJ E GBORMITTAH
(INSTR/WTO - SAA)
ARMY COMBAT TRAINING SCHOOL

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 INTRODUCTION
The ability at all times to
handle small arms and
associated ammunition in a
safe manner is a key
requirement of a proficient
soldier or an Officer.
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 INTRODUCTION
The failure in the past to appreciate the
importance of this aspect of Military
training has led to tragic accidents,
particularly in the handling of loaded
small arms whilst in active service. Most
of these accidents can be attributed to
gross disregard to regulations and are
bad reflection upon the standard of
Weapon training.
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AIM
The aim of this lecture is to
outline all arms training
policy on safety matters for
small arms and associated
ammunition.
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SCOPE
• Army Directives on weapon safety
• Basic Safety Principles-Personal
weapons
• Safety Rules for Ammunition-Do’s &
Don’ts
• Grenades, Plastic Explosives,
Thunderflashes & Tripflares
• Range - Safety
• SUMMARY
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ARMY DIRECTIVES ON WEAPON SAFETY
1. Nobody is to be issued with, or handle a weapon
unless;
a. Under instruction of a qualified instructor
b. Has passed the appropriate test of that
weapons
2. On receiving a weapon the person assuming
control must;
a. Point the weapon in a safe direction
b. Immediately unload
c. Check chamber is clear by looking through
by day and night methods
3. A loaded weapon is never to be left unattended.
4. Pointing of weapons;
a. Never at anyone, other than the enemy
b. In a direction ensuring minimum danger
c. With blank ammunition in accordance with
exercise safety instructions.
5. No tampering or fiddling with weapon or
ammunition. This is forbidden
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BASIC SAFETY PRINCIPLES

PERSONAL WEAPONS
1.When a weapon is no longer required to be
loaded, unload it.

2. Never rest a weapon muzzle on the foot.

3. You must carry out safety precaution at the

beginning and end of every lesson, practice
and range period for all weapons.
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SAFETY RULES FOR AMMUNITION
a. Do not use live, practice or sub calibre ammo for
drill purpose
b. Never tamper with, break down or attempt the
sectioning of any round or component of
ammunition
c. Do not use ammunition for purpose other than
those for which it was introduced into the
service
d. Do not place damage rounds into a magazine
e. Never fire blank ammo from a wpn, whether
fitted with a blank firing attachment or not, at
anyone closer than 30 meters
f. Do not take drill rounds to the range, unless for
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GRENADES,THUNDERFLASHES &
PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES
1. An HE grenade which continues to roll
after striking the ground is to be
watched to ascertain the final posn.
2. Smoke generators are not to be placed
near or in a naked flame.
3. Always handle tripflares carefully,
whether packed in their containers or
not.
4. No attempt is to be made to destroy PE
by burning.
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RANGE
1. Wearing of ear defenders and glass protection is
obligatory when engaged in, or present at the
firing of Inf pl or support wpns.
2. Nobody at the firing emplacement should be
handling weapon whilst there is movement in the
butt.
3. Hold a rifle/SMG or pistol up at an angle of
60degrees when having it for inspected.
4. Hold a wpn parralled to the ground, pointing to
the direction of the bullet catcher during
loading ,unloading and inspection at the 25 and
30 metres range.
5. Declaration should be carried out after all range
work be it Gallery,Field
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range or Exercise.
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GENERAL SAFETY RULES

1. CONSIDER EVERY WEAPON LOADED

AND UNSAFE UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.

2. NO INDISCRIMINATE SNAPPING OF
WEAPON IS ALLOWED.

3. WHEN HANDING AND TAKING OVER

WEAPON, CARRY OUT SAFETY
PRECAUTION.
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GENERAL SAFETY RULES

4. PRACTICE HANDLING WITH AN EMPTY

WEAPON UNTIL READY TO FIRE.

5. ALWAYS STRIP, CLEAN AND STORE AN

EMPTY WEAPON.

6. UNLOAD ALL WEAPONS WHEN NOT IN

USE.

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GENERAL SAFETY RULES

7. ALWAYS KEEP THE FIRE CONTROL
SELECTER LEVER AT SAFE UNTIL READY
TO FIRE.

8. ALWAYS KEEP WEAPONS POINTED IN A

SAFE DIRECTION AT LEAST AT AN ANGLE
OF 45⁰ UP.

9. SAFETY PRECAUTION MUST BE CARRIED

OUT AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF
EVERY LESSON/PRACTICE/SHOOTING.
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GENERAL SAFETY RULES

10. DO NOT POINT ANY WEAPON TO A

FRIEND/COLLEAGUE IN JEST.

11. ALWAYS CHECK THE CHAMBER OF ANY

WEAPON AT NIGHT WITH A FLASH LIGHT
BEFORE RECEIVING/HANDING OVER.

12. DO NOT LEAVE ANY WEAPON

UNATTENDED.
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WEAPON DISPLAY
(DEMO)

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QUESTIONS
&
CLARIFICATIONS

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SUMMARY
Regulations relating to safe
handling of wpns, ammo and
explosives are contained in
Infantry Training and Ammo &
Explosives Regulation Pamphlets,
Offrs incharge of trg should read
them to be abreast
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