Eye injuries among children playing with BB guns have risen sharply in recent years, and one local police chief said he's relieved no such incidents occurred in his town on Christmas Day.

“We are pleased to report that we did not receive any calls this Christmas associated with anyone shooting their eye out with an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time," said Dartmouth Chief of Police Brian P. Levesque.

Levesque said although the department is "ecstatic" about the injury-free day, he would like to remind anyone who did receive a gun as a gift to act responsibly with it.

The chief issued the following guidelines:

  1. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
  2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  3. Know your target and what is beyond it.
  4. Know how to use the gun safely.
  5. Be sure that your gun is safe to operate.
  6. Use the correct ammunition for your gun.
  7. Wear eye and ear protection.
  8. Never shoot while impaired.
  9. Store your gun(s) properly.

"Gun safety is everyone’s responsibility, no matter your age or expertise," he said.

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