Well put, Bill! One can never forget the basics of firearm safety. Tradgies like the one you mention are fuel for the fire of anti-hunting people who would like to see all of us turned out of the forest for the sins of a few. I cringe when I am in the woods and here mutiple gunshots, one right after another. Why do some people not relize those bullets are going somewhere and can hit anything that is in their path? We are responsible for the image we create of ourselves and our sport and, quite honestly, there are some who are ruining it for everyone.

Two more basic rules that should NEVER be forgotten -

1 - Treat every gun as if it is loaded. ['Nuff said!]
2 - Never point a weapon at anything that you do not intend to shoot. [A scope is not a set of binoculars!]

Thanks Bill for the reminder! nova

From a novice perspective I think it would help to have more specific information easily available. One 22 often has a different range than a different 22. Start using different types of ammo and things get really different.
I don't think a lot of people really think about how long range even a small caliber can go.

The only information you need to be available is that any projectile-- even a pellet-- can kill. Always treat every gun as if it's loaded, never point a firearm at anything you don't intend to shoot, and always be sure of your target and what's behind it. Follow those three rules, and you'll never have an "accident". I put that word in quotes because those are the three most important cardinal rules in gun safety, and the only way anything ever goes wrong is if one of those rules aren't followed. That means it's not an accident. it's negligence.

Never point a firearm at anything you dont intend to shoot
be sure what's behind your target

Which does not negate my post - if you miss your target or your shot goes through, which is why I'm assuming you are saying be sure what's behind your target
you need to know what is behind your target for how far? Surely something is out there everywhere at some distance. If you didn't have some idea of range you would never shoot a firearm anywhere but at a bermed firing range.

This thread is called fish and game. Not target shooting.

I do understand the need for safety. But in order to be safe outside a bubble you need to understand in addition to the basic rules.

A woman was killed a week ago in the foothills by a 14 year old who thought she was a bear. He and a 16 year old friend were dropped off by his grandfather in a popular hiking area. The woman was in a meadow and was shot from 120 yards as she kneeled down to get something from her back pack. The boy used his scope to make sure that he was shooting at a bear.

He used a .270 rifle and she died from a single shot in the chest. The weather was overcast and there was some light fog in the area. After the shot they walked over to see if the bear was dead and found the woman lying near death, she died before any help could arrive.