I remember the first time someone asked me what the rules for firearm safety were.
The truth is that I had never been explicitly taught them. But I figured out at least two of them right away.
I told the guy (at what had to be less than 11 yrs old mind you) “ummm, don’t point it at anybody and don’t touch the trigger”.
I knew that just by the fun plinking and camping trips that I had been on with my family as a young boy.
But it’s important to not only KNOW, but make an absolute COMMITMENT to making the official firearm rules LIFESTYLE rules that you never violate.
Otherwise you could seriously injure yourself or someone else. In today’s video, you’re going to see how this goes wrong.
THIS Is Why Firearms Safety Rules Exist (WARNING: Graphic content)
What rules did this man violate?
He pointed the gun at his hand and he had his finger on the trigger.
Let’s quickly review the 4 fundamental firearm safety rules:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
For sure, this man violated rule #2 and #3.
If you commit these four firearm safety rules to memory, it’s almost impossible to hurt yourself or someone else when handling a firearm.
The Two GOLDEN Rules of Firearms Safety
To quote the great Tom Givens, “Those four rules are basically it. They cover just about everything we can do with a firearm.
If it’s a gun it’s loaded unless you personally have cleared it and it is still in your control. Keep up with where the gun is pointed at all times. If you no longer need it out, put it in the holster. Keep your finger in register well away from the trigger until you bring the gun to bear on a target. Know what you’re shooting at, what’s around it, and what’s behind. Now, can we make this even simpler? Actually we could. There are two safety checks that all by themselves will prevent most problems.
These two are:
1. Muzzle Discipline
2. Trigger Finger Discipline.
Muzzle discipline: the firearm should always be pointed in the safest direction. That is, even if the weapon fired there would be no personal injury to anyone and only minimal property damage.
Trigger finger discipline: the modern handgun generally will not fire unless the trigger is depressed. Keeping your finger in register at all times when you are not actually firing will prevent almost all negligent discharges. If these two safety checks are in place, no one will be inadvertently shot.
Make The Firearm Safety Rules a Part of Your Lifestyle
Every time you touch a gun. Every time you show someone a gun. Every time you talk about guns with kids or friends. Keep these rules in mind.
Everyone should learn them. Everyone should know them. Everyone should follow them, all the time.