CO2 airguns may seem less dangerous than conventional firearms, but they can cause serious injury or death if mishandled. A .177 pellet fired at 400 FPS carries significant energy — enough to cause permanent eye damage, penetrate skin, and in worst-case scenarios, be fatal. Treat every airgun like a loaded firearm. Always.
The Four Universal Firearm Safety Rules
These rules apply equally to every airgun, regardless of power:
- Treat every gun as if it is loaded. Even if you 'know' the CO2 cartridge is empty or removed — treat it as loaded. This habit prevents accidents caused by assumption.
- Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy. Keep the gun pointed at a safe direction (downrange, at the ground) at all times when not holstered.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. Your finger stays straight and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
- Know your target and what is beyond it. Pellets can penetrate thin barriers and travel far. Always have a proper backstop and know what is behind your target.
CO2-Specific Safety Rules
CO2 Cartridge Handling
- Never pierce a CO2 cartridge outside of a gun — the sudden gas release can cause injury
- Do not expose CO2 cartridges to direct sunlight or temperatures above 50°C — they can rupture
- Always depressurise the gun (fire a few shots in a safe direction) before removing the CO2 cartridge
- Dispose of spent cartridges responsibly — puncture them fully before disposal to confirm they are empty
Safe Handling
- Always wear eye protection when shooting. Ricochet risk is real, especially with steel BBs
- Never shoot at hard flat surfaces (concrete, metal, water) — BBs and pellets ricochet unpredictably
- Do not look down the barrel from either end
- Keep the safety on until you are ready to fire
- Never dry-fire a CO2 pistol repeatedly without a cartridge — it can damage the valve seals
Safe Storage
- Store airguns unloaded (CO2 removed) in a locked case or cabinet
- Keep airguns and ammunition (pellets/BBs) locked separately if children are present in the home
- Do not store with a CO2 cartridge installed for extended periods — the seal degrades over time
- Store in a cool, dry place — humidity causes rust and damages internal o-rings
Legal Responsibilities in India
- Do not carry an airgun openly in public — this can attract charges under the Arms Act
- Never use an airgun to threaten or intimidate any person — this is a criminal offence regardless of the gun's power classification
- Minors (under 18) should not handle airguns without direct adult supervision
- When transporting, carry in a closed, non-transparent case
Setting Up a Safe Shooting Area
- Use a dedicated pellet trap or a box filled with dense material (rubber, duct seal) as your backstop
- Ensure you have clear sight lines to your target and no people or animals can enter the shooting lane
- Set a minimum distance — at least 5 metres for indoor use, 10+ metres for outdoor plinking
- Announce "range hot" and "range cold" — even at home — to build safe habits
Safety starts with the right equipment. Browse our range of accessories including pellet traps and eye protection.