Guy Riordan Speaks: Lessons in Hunter Safety

“I love the outdoors. I love to hunt and fish. Yet, there are some very real dangers,” states Guy Riordan. The avid outdoorsman and former game preserve owner believes in the necessity of hunter safety training. “There are several lessons learned in hunter safety that are pretty universal whether hunting game or shooting clay pigeons on a range,” points out Guy Riordan.

“The very first important lesson in hunter safety is to always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,” states Guy Riordan. While this concept is simple and basic, Guy Riordan notes that if everyone followed this basic rule, there would be no firearm accidents. “However, we know that is not the case,” comments Guy Riordan. A safe direction, as defined by Guy Riordan is one in which a bullet would not injure someone “were the gun to fire accidentally.”

The second lesson is never relying on the weapon’s “safety.” According to Guy Riordan, the safety may actually be off when a hunter thinks it is on. “Simply remember to never touch the trigger of a gun until you are ready to shoot,” explains Guy Riordan. In addition, adds Guy Riordan, a sudden jar or strong blow against the weapon could cause the weapon to fire. Therefore, do not rely on the safety and Guy Riordan says to “refer to lesson one.”

“I think awareness of your actual target is also important,” comments Guy Riordan. The third lesson garnered from Guy Riordan is to know your potential target. “Better yet,” continues Guy Riordan, “know what is behind that target.” A potential target may not completely stop the bullet fired from a gun, explains Guy Riordan. “It is important to think before pulling the trigger and ask ‘where is this bullet headed after it hits my target?’” says Guy Riordan. Different weapons fire a bullet with different velocity and some ammunition can travel upwards of three miles, explains Guy Riordan.

“Unload the firearm when it is not in use,” maintains Guy Riordan, no ting that this is the fourth gun safety tip. The moment a weapon is not in use, it should be unloaded. “This little step,” says Guy Riordan, “can prevent devastating accidents.” When handing a weapon to another hunter, “open the action and check that chamber,” says Guy Riordan. As a former gamer preserve owner, Guy Riordan also adds that a hunter should never “cross a fence or make awkward climbs with a loaded weapon.” While there are many more hunting safety tips, these four are fundamental beginnings to creating a safe hunting environment – for all.

About Guy Riordan

In 1969, Guy Riordan began a life of service as he joined the United Sates Marine Corp. For the next three years of the Vietnam War era, Guy Riordan would serve as crew chief for Sikorsky helicopters earning the rank of corporal. Following his faithful service in the Marine Corp, Guy Riordan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Albuquerque, graduating Cum Laude. Later, Guy Riordan would attend the Pepperdine University School of Law.

Following Pepperdine, Guy Riordan began working his way through the financial and securities industry. From 1982 to 1984, Guy Riordan served clients from his position with Quinn and Company, a New York Stock Exchange member firm. In 1984, Guy Riordan joined Raucher, Pierce and Refsnes, later moving to Albuquerque AG Edwards in 1989. In 1994, Guy Riordan joined the team of Southwest Securities. Beginning in 1997, Guy Riordan spent the next decade with First Union/Wachovia Securities, servicing clients in the greater Albuquerque New Mexico area.

During this time, Guy Riordan began to pursue another personal passion, boxing. From 2002 to 2005 Guy Riordan Boxing promoted some of the biggest names in the sport. Guy Riordan’s boxing client list included three-time world champion Danny Romero and six-time world champion Johnny Tapia. In addition, Guy Riordan co-promoted NABF heavyweight champion Taurus Sykes. Guy Riordan co-promoted a NABF/NABA heavyweight championship bout between Sykes and heavyweight champion Samuel Peters, featured in 2005 on the Showtime Cable Network. Rounding out his resume of boxing promotion, Guy Riordan was a co-owner of Maloof Brothers Boxing with Sacramento Kings’ famed Joe and Gavin Maloof.

Guy Riordan has always held civic duty as important. As a life long resident of Albuquerque, Guy Riordan worked on the Board of Directors for the Hispano Chamber of Commerce. For three years, Guy Riordan also served as a board member for the Albuquerque Museum Foundation. Guy Riordan’s life of service would continue into the state government arena of public service.

A former elected commissioner of the La Joya Water Association, Guy Riordan returned to his college alma mater as a member of the University of Albuquerque Foundation, serving for five years from 1982 – 1985. Guy Riordan would later continue his life of public service through numerous positions and appointments. Guy Riordan holds real estate licenses in both New Mexico and Florida and has served as a governor appointee of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Guy Riordan was also a mayoral appointee, serving on the Albuquerque/Chihuahua Bilateral Commission, was a gubernatorial appointee as Commissioner for the Judicial Nominating Commission as well as the New Mexico Governors Educational Retirement Board Task Force. Guy Riordan was also given the opportunity to expand his passion for the outdoors by receiving gubernatorial appointment and Senate confirmation to the New Mexico Game and Fish Commission. Riordan was later elected as chairman of the Game and Fish Commission.

An avid outdoorsman, Guy Riordan holds a Master Captains License from the U.S. Coast Guard. A former owner of Rancho De La Joya Game Preserve, Guy Riordan provided an area for upland game hunting along the banks of the beautiful Rio Grande River. Guy Riordan’s shooting preserve provided clients with the ability to hunt quail, pheasant, chuckar, snow geese, and ducks and Canadian geese. Guy Riordan’s Rancho De La Joya Game Preserve offered a fully automated sporting clays and five-stand course. Guy Riordan’s love of the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and kayaking have positioned him on national television shows including Jimmy Houston and Wayne Pierson Outdoors. Guy Riordan also owns www.adventurefishing.com

The first love and passion of Guy Riordan is, however, his family. Married for over twenty-four years, Guy Riordan and wife have laid the foundation of their lives on each other and their children. Guy Riordan and his family reside outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.