Why YSK: Even if you don’t own a gun, there is a chance you can encounter one at the home of a friend or family member. These are the four core rules of gun safety, but the same can be used with airsoft/paintball guns, nerf or even chemical spray bottles!
First, treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Even if it was clear the last time you saw it. If looking at a gun with someone else and they assure you it’s not loaded, you can respectfully ask them to clear it in front of you before you handle it yourself.
Never point a gun at anything you are not willing to destroy. Pretend there is a lazer beam coming from the barrel. Don’t let that “beam” point at anyone. That is known as “flagging”. In nearly all cases keeping the barrel pointing down between your feet is a good move.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. This includes the whole trigger guard area. Most people keep their finger on the frame well above the trigger guard, pointing their finger in the same direction as the barrel. This is known as “trigger discipline”.
Finally be sure of your target and what’s behind it. Bullets can still travel a long way even after they pass through a target. If you are target shooting make sure there is a solid backstop. If in a real life situation you must positively ID the threat, no shooting at shadows or noises.
Modification to the first one, at least for me — I don’t care if I literally just watched you check it in front me of me before handing it over, I’m still checking. Always. I would expect others to do the same. First, it is just a reassurance, and second, it shows I actually know how to check it myself.
Finally, I didn’t see it listed, but keep the safety on until you’re ready. This kinda goes with the “keep finger off trigger” rule, in that it offers an extra degree of protection.
Definitely use a safety when present, but some guns intended for everyday carry do not have traditional safety switches. They rely on trigger and/or grip safeties to reduce the chance of negligent discharge.
Don’t be discouraged if you look for a safety and can’t find it. Just obey the other rules of firearm safety to minimize (because you’ll never truly eliminate) the risk of injury.
To be honest, I don’t trust to safeties in general. I just assume all guns are loaded and that pulling the trigger will cause it to fire.
Agreed, but I think they meant if you don’t know how to clear it.
When I got my gun, first thing I taught my wife was how to check and clear it. Then we played a game: check, clear, rack, pass. No magazine or rounds involved. So I’d get it from her, lock the slide back, check the magazine well, check the barrel from the top, hold it up to the light (trigger finger on the frame), then rack the slide, and pass it back — muzzle aimed down, as one does.
Oh goddess yes. Handed a revolver (cylinder out to show it was empty) to a friend who is ex-military and was a designated sharpshooter … back in the 70s …
He proceeded to play with the cylinder and then flick it closed, because that’s how they do it in the movies >:-(
If you don’t really know how to handle a gun you should say so, and let the owner walk you through how to handle it … assuming they actually follow the golden rules.
I agree and I do the same! Like others have said this is for someone who might have just learned the 4 safety rules for the first time and I didn’t want to dive into that just yet