Daisy AVANTI Champion 499/499B - Manual (Page 8)

8
Introduction to
Airgun Shooting
guidelines developed by the training experts at Daisy, and they are listed in the section
on CLUBS AND COMPETITION near the back of this book. A quick check with them will let
you know when the next course will be starting in your area. If you would like more detailed
information, write: Special Market Programs, Daisy, Box 220, Rogers, Arkansas 72757.
GETTING STARTED
First, you and your child should know that your “Champion” 499/499B is not a toy. It’s a
gun. If it is used carefully, it will be a good friend. If it is misused or carelessly used, it can be
dangerous.
Second, read this Introduction to Airgun Shooting section together. In conjunction with the
Operation Manual, it tells you how to handle your new BB gun properly and how to have the
most fun with it. Read it carefully and make sure you understand it. Then, put what you’ve
learned into practice. And remember, it’s your responsibility as a gun owner to make certain
that anyone using it is instructed and supervised by an adult in the rules of proper gun
handling.
PROPER GUN HANDLING
If you understand that “HANDLING” your gun means every time you touch it, and if you
remember always to handle a gun as if it were loaded, then you are well on your way
to proper gun handling. A majority of airgun accidents in this country are caused by 1)
careless and improper handling of the gun, 2) believing the gun to be empty when it isn’t, or
3) shooting at improper targets. All three causes can be avoided if the shooter handles the
gun properly.
For years we have been teaching the rules of proper gun handling. Now it is your turn to
read and remember, practice and review these few simple rules. They will help you enjoy
many hours of safe, fun, recreational shooting.
THE OUTDOOR 499/499B
Your Avanti “Champion” 499/499B isn’t designed for hunting, but you can still have outdoor
fun with it. It’s easy to set up an outdoor range (SEE SAFE TARGETS). In fact, outdoor
shooting is a great way for a young person to get together with his or her parents for some
real family fun and competition.
It is also very important for you to remember that any time you receive a gun from anyone,
or take a gun from it’s storage place, you should make sure it’s unloaded and uncocked by
pointing it in a safe direction and pulling the trigger.
WARNING:
EVEN IF YOU HAVE FIRED THE AIRGUN ONE OR MORE TIMES
AND NO BB WAS EXPELLED, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE GUN IS EMPTY OF BBs.
CONTINUE TO TREAT THE AIRGUN AS IF IT IS LOADED.
• Never climb or jump with a loaded gun.
• Avoid ricochet.
• Keep the muzzle clear.
• Guns not in use should always be
unloaded.
• Respect other people’s property.
• Check your target and beyond your
target.
• Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe
direction.
• Treat every gun as if it were loaded
• Only load or cock a gun when you are
shooting
• Anyone shooting or observing a shooter
should wear shooting glasses and should be
standing behind the shooter.
9
A MESSAGE TO PARENTS
Included in the material accompanying each new “Champion” 499/499B is a checklist
covering the most important aspects of proper gun handling. For your son or daughter’s
safety, we urge you to use the checklist in assuring that they have a thorough understanding
of these rules and are diligent in their practice. Although not a firearm, a “Champion”
499/499B is a gun and not a toy. Properly used and maintained, it will provide many hours
of safe, trouble free recreational shooting. Misused, it can be dangerous. Therefore, we
recommend it be used only with adult supervision and never by a young person less than 10
years of age.
As the proud owner of a new Avanti “Champion” 499/499B, your child has become part
of an American tradition dating back more than 100 years. Mechanically, a new airgun is
backed by nearly a century of engineering know-how and experience in the manufacture of
quality products.
Safe gun handling depends upon proper safety training, and instilling in your son or daughter
the right attitude toward airgun ownership. To help you, we have designed this booklet to
cover the basic facts every young person should understand before shooting an airgun. Take
time to study it thoroughly with your child. A proper understanding of these basics will greatly
increase your child’s enjoyment of the lifetime sport of recreational airgun shooting and, at
the same time, give you the satisfaction of knowing your child is properly prepared to handle
an airgun.
We strongly urge a formal course of instruction in Shooting Education for your child. There are
a number of youth and civic organizations which offer a complete 10-lesson course based on