There are 4 rules of gun safety. They’re not just for beginners. They’re for pros, beginners, and everyone alike.
I’ve never been to a competition or high-end firearms class where we didn’t all need to repeat them from memory. They should be a part of your memory too and a part of your life. When you go shooting, you should know that you and everyone around you knows and lives these rules. You should be able to rattle them off easily to any new shooter you’re helping get into the sport.
You may have learned them in a different order. I’ve rearranged them to help them make sense and also make them easier to remember.
1. Treat All Guns As If They Are Loaded
Don’t treat some guns loaded and some guns as unloaded because one day you’ll cross your wires and have an accident. By treating every firearm as if it is loaded, a habit of safety is developed. Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range or shooting area, ready to shoot. Whenever you handle a firearm, or hand it to someone, always open the action immediately, and visually check the chamber, receiver and magazine to be certain they do not contain any ammunition. Always keep actions open when not in use. Never assume a gun is unloaded — check for yourself. This is considered a mark of an experienced gun handler. Treating all guns loaded, then means we are finger safe and muzzle safe (next two rules).
2. Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until You Are Ready to Shoot
Because of rule 1 (treat all guns as if they are loaded), therefore when you pick up a gun or handle a gun, keep your finger safe. That means high on the slide, and never on the trigger. In Hollywood movies, everyone handles guns by always having their finger on the trigger. Of course Hollywood is wrong about everything, so don’t get your gun handling skills from movies or TV. Never touch the trigger on a firearm until you actually intend to shoot. Keep your fingers away from the trigger while loading or unloading.
3. Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe Direction
Because of rule 1 (treat all guns as if they are loaded), therefore when you pick up a gun, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Think of this as, “Muzzle safe.” Always point your muzzle in a safe direction, or as this is often phrased, “Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.” This rule is particularly important when loading or unloading a firearm. In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction.
4. Always Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It
Don’t shoot unless you know exactly what your shot is going to strike. Be sure that your bullet will not injure anyone or anything beyond your target. Be aware that even a .22 short bullet can travel over a mile and a high velocity bullet like a .30-06, can travel more than three miles. Shotgun pellets can travel 500 yards, and shotgun slugs have a range of over half a mile. You should keep in mind how far a bullet will travel if it misses your intended target or ricochets in another direction.