1 minute read
Safety is Priority One with Firearms
By Rob Wilson
There are four fundamental safety rules that apply to all firearms, all of the time. Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper developed these rules to keep you and those around you safe. They are:
Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.
Know your target and what is beyond it. These rules may seem simple, yet, every day, folks violate them and sometimes, with the worst possible consequences. Let’s look a little deeper at each one.
Treat Every Firearm As If It Is Loaded
This is the first rule for a reason. If you only follow this one rule, the potential for an unexpected consequence is significantly reduced. Every time you handle a firearm, you should first check to see if it is loaded. Even when it is not, treat it as if it is!
Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction
You should never point the muzzle of your firearm at anything you’re not willing to destroy. A safe direction will vary depending on where you are. Out in the woods, a safe direction might be down toward the ground. On a shooting range, it is always toward the bullet traps. In your home, it will vary depending on things like what is your floor made of, the construction of your home’s walls and other factors. The point of this rule is that should a round leave your firearm when you didn’t intend it to, it won’t cause catastrophic harm.
Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Fire
Modern firearms have safety designed into them. They won’t fire unless you depress the trigger. Keeping your finger safely off the trigger and on the frame of the firearm will ensure you don’t inadvertently depress it should you be startled, trip and fall, or any other circumstance. Ready to fire on a shooting range means your sights are on the target. If you don’t have your sights properly aligned on the target, your finger should not be on the trigger.
Know Your Target And What Is Beyond It
Knowing what you are pointing your firearm at is easy on a shooting range. On the other hand, if you are startled awake in the middle of the night, things may not be so clear. If you have a firearm for home defense, you should also have a quality flashlight stored with it so you can be absolutely sure what you are pointing a firearm at. What is beyond your target is equally
