Ultimately, the most important safety on every firearm is located in the exact same spot. That is between your ears. 
- 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 important. Even the smallest caliber rounds like .22 Long Rifle will easily pass through a residential wall. You are responsible for every round you fire, regardless of whether it ended up where you intended. Outdoors, that same .22 LR will travel over a mile if unimpeded. Keep that in mind the next time you’re shooting in the forest, and be sure you have a backstop that will prevent your rounds from going places you didn’t intend.
Equally important and more often neglected is safe storage of firearms. Black market firearms are the No. 1 source for criminals. Criminals steal firearms from two primary locations, your home and your vehicle. Make SURE that you don’t contribute to the criminal enterprise by arming a crook. Keep your firearm safely locked up in a safe, vault or other device to prevent its theft. This is ESPECIALLY important if your home/vehicle has children or others that should not have access to firearms.
Ultimately, the most important safety on every firearm is located in the exact same spot. That is between your ears. You are responsible for making sure you follow these rules. FBN
By Rob Wilson
Rob Wilson is the owner (with his wife, Elise) of Timberline Firearms & Training in Flagstaff. They offer a full line of firearms, accessories, safes and ammunition along with Liberty Safes. For more information, visit timberlinefirearms.us.
