Is it safe to shoot firearms when pregnant?

At 23 weeks there's not enough time left to consider a suppressor, which would be my first thought.

Shoot outside to minimize lead exposure. Shoot with latex gloves, and remove the gloves immediately after shooting. this will also reduce the risk of lead exposure, as you get plenty of lead vapor blowback even with jacketed bullets.

Also, if you can shoot "quieter" calibers like .22, .38 or .45 I'd choose that over supersonic rounds such as .40 or 9mm. Your baby should probably be reacting to loud noises already, so (s)he will let you know if it's too loud.

Yes, with a few qualifiers.

First, if you shoot at an indoor range, make sure they use coated bullets so there is not lead "vapors" in the area. Check out their air conditioner system. You want a system that vents the air and not just recirculates it.

Second, do not do your own reloading and stay away from powder. Most of the modern powders are nitrate based and that can cause lower blood pressure. One of the first organs that gets cut in blood supply when a persons BP goes too low is the uterus. Just avoid it and use factory ammo.

Third, stick to the lighter calibers. Being pregnant, you are already prone to backache and shooting large caliber guns with heavy recoil could make it worse. Also, the baby can hear so you want to keep the "report" of the shot to a minimum. (Wear a giant ear protector around your belly?)

Fourth, have someone else clean your guns. You do not want solvents, gun oil and other nasty chemicals on your skin as there is some absorption. (Besides, it is the shooting that is fun, not the cleaning!)

Good luck with your shooting and delivery.

Poster Dave summed up everything I had to say, lol. The only thing I'll add is that you may reconsider seeing as how the loud noise may frighten your baby (why stress baby out?). Some research suggests extremely loud noises can also cause hearing damage to the unborn. Something to think about. Best of luck.

I don't think the Army will let me go to the range to qualify with my weapon while I am pregnant, but now that you mention it, it doesn't seem fair. I mean, as long as I don't shoot myself, whats the problem, right? Although, my belly would get in the way of firing from the prone unsupported.

Well, the prone position may not be very comfy, but a bench rest may not be so bad. I have never heard of the noise being a factor. Besides the noise there really isn't anything else I can think of.

Why would you want to? LOL The only concerns I can think of is that the loud popping noise of firing the gun might terrify your baby and they say loud sudden noises lead to being deaf. The other thing I think of is that alot of the rounds either have lead in them or other carcinogens and I wouldn't want to risk those getting into your blood stream and effecting the baby.

Your risk is no greater then when you are not pregnant. If the range you shoot at has odd dust "kick-backs" that bother your breathing, you may want to wear a mask. Just to prevent breathing in something funky.

i cant see a problem stick to the small firearms without much kick

don't know how the noise would affect the baby when my wife was pregnant the smallest of noises would set the baby kicking

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There is no reason that shooting firearms would cause you any danger as long as you don't have the butt of the gun near your belly when you shoot, and you shoot targets instead of yourself.