4 Cardinal Rules of Gun Safety
This post will give a brief overview of the four cardinal rules of gun safety and proper handling of a firearm: Always Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction, Always Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot, Always Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use, and Always Assume Firearms Are Loaded.
#1 Always Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
When using a handgun you have to be particularly careful of the direction in which a gun is pointed. Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to fire upon. This rule saves lives. ALWAYS exercise due caution and diligence when handling a firearm. You must always be aware of where your gun is pointed at all times.
#2 Always Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot
Until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to fire, always keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger. A firearm cannot fire without engaging the trigger, therefor this is the one of the most important rules. Regardless of the firearm or situation, always keep your finger off the trigger until you have made the decision to fire.
#3 Keep Guns Unloaded Until Ready To Use
When picking up a gun, immediately engage the safety device, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should remain clear of ammunition when not in use. Firearms should only be loaded when you are in the field or on the firing range. When not in use, firearms and ammunition should be secured in a safe place, separate from each other. It is your responsibility to prevent children and unauthorized adults from gaining access to firearms or ammunition.
#4 Always Assume Firearms Are Loaded
All guns are loaded, ALWAYS. Before approaching a firearm, remember to always assume firearms are loaded. Regardless of whom used it last, where it came from, or what you may believe, every firearm is loaded at all times until proven otherwise. Until you have visually and physically inspected a firearm, it is to be treated as a live firearm. Once it leaves your control, the gun is to be considered a loaded firearm once again.
NRA Gun Safety Rules
- Know your target and what is beyond.
- Know how to use the gun safely.
- Be sure the gun is safe to operate.
- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.
- Wear eye and ear protection.
- Never use alcohol or drugs before or while shooting.
- Store guns so they are inaccessible to unauthorized persons.
