Here are the four universal gun safety rules plus some additional guidelines you should be aware of
First, I was interested in firearms because it would help me protect myself and others. Because I want to be safer in all situations, it would be silly and absurd of me not to take gun safety seriously.
No matter what brought you to firearms, no matter if it was similar to mine, the importance of following gun safety rules is paramount.
I will be covering the 4 universal gun safety rules, and explaining their importance in this guide. I will then add a few that I have discovered in my life and think everyone can benefit.
The Four Rules of Gun Safety
You've probably seen these rules on the walls of gun ranges or been asked to follow instructions. These 4 universal rules of gun safety can be found
Treat all guns the same way as if they were always loaded.
Never allow the muzzle to point at anything you don't want or are unable to destroy.
When your sights are on the target, keep your finger away from the trigger and then you can decide to shoot.
Be certain of what you are targeting and what lies behind it.
It is important to always follow these rules . But I want to go over each of them individually and show you how they can help you protect yourself even if you forget another. You should make a mental note of any (hopefully) rare instances when you break one of the rules to avoid repeating it.
1) Treat all guns as though they were always loaded.
Many of these rules should make "common sense", which gun owners find offensive due to the frequent use of it by politicians who seek to restrict gun ownership.
However, some people seem to lack real common sense. It is surprising that not everyone can sense the difference between pointing a gun at someone or their friends.
The idea behind "Treat all guns like they are always loaded" was largely to make sure you follow the other 3 gun safety rules.
Our additional rules will ensure that you always know if your gun has been loaded. However, remember that people forget and you should treat every firearm as though it were loaded. It is possible for gun owners to be more negligent than novices when it comes to clearing guns after use.
There is no reason to treat your gun the same way as it is loaded.
It's much less likely that you will break any of the following rules if guns are always loaded.
2) Never let the muzzle point towards anything you do not want to destroy.
Unintentionally, thousands of people are killed each year. Except for "freak incidents" such as ricochets where it is likely that the shooter didn't adhere to the next two safety rules, this means that they probably violated the 2nd rule.
I don’t think I have to give too much detail about how ANY gun can cause the death of someone who is shot with it, or any other damage it causes.
Although Rule 3 should be followed, you shouldn't assume that someone else will not pull the trigger. Even if they do, it's not a good idea to be involved in an unlikely gun malfunction that causes someone to accidentally get shot.
If I were the guy in the GIF on the left, even if I was sure that it wasn't loaded yet, I wouldn’t be friends anymore with the idiot on right.
3) Keep your finger off of the trigger until the sights are aligned and you've made the decision not to fire.
This is a good time to start understanding how all these rules interact, and possibly avoiding disasters if you violate one. Do not point a gun towards something you don’t want to damage. But if you make an error and accidentally do so, it will be less likely you’ll shoot the thing.
As you know, trigger discipline is something that should be a daily habit. It's crucial in recreational shooting, but also in high-pressure defensive situations. You don't have to draw your firearm for self-defense.
Good Trigger Discipline
A side note: Surprise parties are not recommended for concealed carry holders. It is better to ensure that they are disciplined.
4. Be clear about your target and its motivations.
This is another rule that can be applied to defensive and recreational shooting. This rule is also known as "always be aware of your backstop".
You may miss a shot even though you are shooting a .22 pistol at a AR500 steel target. If you shoot recreationally, you should always have an extra backstop to prevent any missed shots from piercing your targets. Safety is paramount when shooting at a private range or public shooting range.
Outdoor Gun Range with Good Backstop
This rule can be difficult to apply in self-defense situations. It is crucial to identify your target, know where your target is, and be certain that you are ready to fire. Even if your target is hit, an over-penetrating shot may miss something you didn't mean to shoot. Make sure there aren't innocent people in front or behind your target.
Gun Safety Rules to Follow
These rules will keep you safe for the most part, but I have some additional rules that can make it even safer.
"Clear” a firearm whenever you touch it.
If you are not intending to shoot a firearm immediately after you have picked it up, you need to make sure it is empty. For semi-automatic guns, open the magazine and inspect the chamber to make sure it is empty.
Do this every time you are leaving the range or putting your firearm away.
This is now a natural instinct that I have.
First, ensure that the firearm is empty. Then remove the magazine and examine the chamber.
I am a big fan of shooting pistols and AR-style rifles so here is my process before using them:
Pistols
Quickly field strip your pistol until you can remove the barrel. Next, make sure there are no obstructions.
AR Style Rifles
Take the upper receiver out of the lower receiver. Take out your bolt carrier and charging handle. Make sure there are no obstructions.
No matter which firearm style you use, don't look down at your barrel. You can also learn how to check your barrel with other firearm platforms.
This should not be repeated. Always use hearing protection while using or around firearms. The linked guides have detailed information about the dangers of not following this rule and provide guidance on how to choose the best safety gear.
If you shoot at a privately or publicly owned range, you should have these before you enter the area where firearms will be shot.
8. Make it a habit to safely remove your holstered firearm.
You can safely put your firearm away if you conceal carry or use holsters. When possible, take the whole holster off with the firearm still inside it.
A loaded handgun pointed towards your body is not something you should unholster.
9. Use the correct ammunition to your gun.
Use of ammunition not designed for your firearm's use can lead to a malfunction. Make sure you read all instructions and only use listed ammunition.
If you are a frequent shooter of different calibers, it may be worth considering color coded tapes or rubber bands to protect your magazines and firearms. This can help you to remember what ammunition to use.
Faxon has even launched this product with color-coded, labeled rifle caliber markers bands. However, you can also use regular rubber band.
10. Do not handle firearms while you are under the influence.
Most states make it illegal to possess firearms while drunk or under the influence. However, this is a very stupid decision.
11. Safely store firearms.
There are many reasons why you should securely store your firearms. Securely store firearms when they are not in use in gun safes. Our list of best gun safes can be found here.
It's important to ensure safe gun storage for anyone with children, or those who live in a home with children. For more information, I recommend Project Child Safe.
12. Practice Safe Gun Range Practices
Bring guns to the range. Make sure they are always in a range case.
You should not remove them from your case until you are in the shooting bay. This prevents you from "flagging” other shooters at the range.
This is a standard at all ranges. If it's not it should be.
Once you have unloaded all firearms, you are able to move your bags.
Conclusion
This article is not meant to scare you about the dangers of firearms. Instead, it's intended to show you how to safely use them. You should not have any problems if you follow these rules.
A final reminder: Make sure to alert the safety officer at your gun range if you see someone using firearms in a hazardous manner. People who do not follow gun safety guidelines put themselves and others at risk.
