How to Safely Handle a Firearm

Let's take a look at four basic safety rules for handling any firearm. Remember to treat every firearm as if it were loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger away from the trigger, then make sure it's unloaded. While you should never rely solely on a mechanical safety, always put it on safe.

The muzzle is the most important part of a firearm, as the bullet or shot exits here. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction away from yourself and others.

The trigger is the second most important part of a firearm, because its purpose is to fire the gun. So keep your finger away from the trigger.

Now with the firearm pointed in a safe direction and keeping your finger away from the trigger, check to make sure it's unloaded.

Then put it on safe.

So these are the four basic safety rules for handling any firearm:

1. Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction,
2. keep your finger away from the trigger,
3. make sure it's unloaded,
4. then engage the safety.

Remember, firearm safety is your responsibility.

--Larry Potterfield