As we welcome summer, we are reminded of the idyllic days of our youth and the freedom that summer brings. As adults, we know that it is our responsibility to ensure that the fun and freedom of summer is also a safe and carefree time for our youth. That is one reason why June is recognized as National Firearm Safety Month. It is the perfect time to remind all of us that the only kind of firearm ownership is responsible ownership, for the health and safety of everyone.
National Firearm Safety Month is a good time for all firearm owners to recommit to firearm safety year-round, following the call of the National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) to “Own It? Respect It. Secure It.” And the NSSF shows how to do just that, through its resources available to firearm owners in its safety videos such as “Introduction to Range Safety and Etiquette,” printed resources such as “Firearms Responsibility in the Home,” and the infographic “Safe Storage Options for Your Lifestyle,” available at the NSSF website NSSF.org.
Because this month is National Firearm Safety Month, we reached out to PJ Yanetelli, Owner of Dutch Mountain Armory and one of our newest hometown Sponsors, to find out what his message would be to our readers. As a veteran and first responder, PJ’s goal was to start a business that put country first, giving patriots the inspiration and tools to protect themselves from local danger and tyranny. With Dutch Mountain Armory, he did just that.
With a company named after a road just behind his grandfather’s mountain house, he hopes to make his grandfather proud by continuing to serve his community in more ways than one.
“For anyone who has owned and handled guns safely for years, we must always be mindful of the youngest among us who do not yet understand proper storage and handling of firearms,” said PJ. “It’s our responsibility to teach and practice practical gun safety techniques all year long,” he added, with mention that his customers must commit to store firearms responsibly, and how that does not mean hiding a gun in a closet, drawer or under a car seat. “Firearms should be stored in a locked safe, gun vault or storage case that must be inaccessible to children,” advised PJ. He also stated that gun-locking devices, which make firearms inoperable, should be used in addition to locked storage of disassembled firearm parts, and ammunition must always be stored in a locked location separate from firearms.
Here are some things to remember in your ongoing effort to make sure that all weapons are safe, secured and out of the hands of those not intended to use them.
• If you own a firearm, use a safe storage option, all the time.
Make safety a habit!
• Use a gun-locking device, which renders weapons inoperable,
in addition to locked storage.
• Firearms should always be stored unloaded, in a location that
is inaccessible to children.
• Ammunition should be stored in a locked location separate
from firearms.
• Talk to your kids and everyone in the house about
firearm safety.
When traveling with a firearm, it must be under your control at all times; when it’s not, it must be stored, locked and out of sight.
• Use secure temporary storage for firearms in vehicles.
• Always keep a gun pointed in a safe direction.
• Never assume a firearm is unloaded.
• Always keep your finger off the trigger, even when handling an unloaded gun.
PJ explained that there are a lot of new options available for the safe storage of handguns that still allow for quick access if needed for a home defense situation. There are single handgun safes that can be mounted directly to a nightstand and also nightstands, tables and even picture frames that have lockable hidden compartments for those looking for a safe home defense storage solution.
Dutch Mountain Armory is not just a place to buy and sell guns. They carry a wide selection of ammunition, optics like lasers and scopes, gun safes and locks, cleaning supplies and tactical gear. “We provide our customers with excellent customer service and can help with the entire process,” PJ said. “We welcome the opportunity to help people select the right equipment to meet their specific needs.”
Dutch Mountain Armory is also the premier shop for gun enthu siasts, collectors and expert shooters. “We carry an extensive inventory of guns and supplies in the store. But if we don’t have what you’re looking for, we will get it for you,” said PJ. They also handle gun transfers, perform background checks and offer discounts for veterans and first responders.
For more information about Dutch Mountain Armory, contact our federally licensed firearms safety advocate and hometown magazine Sponsor, PJ Yanetelli, at 484-422-8086, or visit his store located at 5153 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square and his website at DutchMountainArmory.com.