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SAFETY WITH FIREARMS

THE FOUR CARDINAL RULES
Memorize and treat them with absolute seriousness.

1. All Guns Are Always Loaded.
   A large percentage of firearms related mishaps occur with “unloaded” guns.
   Treat every weapon with the respect of a loaded weapon.
   The Safety is a mechanical device that can fail.
   The only thing that makes a Firearm safe when handled is the person handling it.
2. Never Let the Muzzle Point at Anything You Are Not Willing to Destroy.
   You must be conscious of muzzle direction the entire time you are touching the gun.
   If you must pick the gun up or put it down, you must be conscious of where the muzzle is pointed from the very moment when you first touch the gun until the moment when you finally remove your hand from the gun.
   If you cannot pick the gun up without allowing it to point at something that shouldn’t be shot, don’t pick it up.
   If you cannot put the gun down without allowing it to point at something that shouldn’t be shot, don’t put it down.
3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger and Out of the Trigger Guard Until Your Sights Are on the Target.
   “The hand is quicker than the eye.” You cannot line up your sights faster than you can position your finger on the trigger.  
4. Be Sure of Your Target.
   Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is beyond it.
   Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified.