Modern firearms are mechanically safe, but extremely dangerous is handled negligently or carelessly. The industry agrees that there are fundamental gun safety rules, but the number and exact wording varies by organization.
At Iron Star Tactical TX, we say the fundamental gun safety rules are:
- Treat every gun as though it is loaded.
- Never point a gun at anything you aren’t willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
- Know your target and what is beyond it.
What follows are a number of variations by different industry organizations. Whichever version you learn and follow, the message is clear.
Be safe around firearms.
The NRA has a very positive way of expressing the rules. In the NRA Instructor world, we say “Always, Always, Always”.
- ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
- ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To Shoot
- ALWAYS Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To Use
Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper codified the rules posted at Gunsite almost 50 years ago.
- ALL guns are always loaded.
- NEVER let the muzzle cover anything which you are not willing to destroy.
- Keep your finger OFF the trigger until your sights are on the target.
- ALWAYS be sure of your target.
NSSF, The Firearms Industry Trade Association has this version
- Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction
- Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded
- Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger until You are Ready to Shoot
- Always Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It
Field and Stream has five rules
- Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
- Always point your gun in a safe direction.
- Never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until your ready to shoot.
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond.
Mossy Oak has nine!
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Don’t rely on a gun’s safety.
- Firearms should remain unloaded until you’re ready to use them.
- Never hand anyone a loaded firearm.
- Never handle firearms while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Know what’s beyond your target.
- Understand how your gun works.
- Be sure your barrel is clear before firing.
- Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
The US Army posted 10.
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
- Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
- Don’t rely on your gun’s “safety.”
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
- Use correct ammunition.
- If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care!
- Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting
- Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
- Don’t alter or modify your gun, and have guns serviced regularly.
- Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.
Naval Safety Command shared personal firearm safety rules.
- Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
- Never point a weapon at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
- Keep your trigger finger straight and off the trigger.
- Keep your weapon on safe until you intend to fire.
SAAMI (Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) also has ten.
- Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
- Firearms should be unloaded when not in use
- Don’t rely on your firearm’s safety
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond
- Use the correct ammunition
- If your firearm fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, HANDLE WITH CARE!
- Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting
- Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting
- Don’t alter or modify your firearm, and have firearms serviced regularly
- Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm before using it
Train hard. Train smart. Train safe.
AI assisted research and editing. Human verified and finalized.
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