Gun Use can be predictably safe (there are 4 rules)
Gun use can be predictably safe!
There are four basic rules that if put into practice and over time made into muscle memory, will make gun use quite safe. I can state this so confidently because you have to break two or more of these four simple rules for anyone to get hurt or anything to get damaged, which provides some margin for error.
The four rules you’ll commit to muscle memory over time, are:
Always assume every gun is loaded
Keep the barrel aimed in a safe direction always
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire
Be sure of your target and what’s behind it
Always assume every gun is loaded: This is more than just safety pedantry and useful in practice as you’ll realize over time. It means you treat every gun as if it’s loaded, handling it while following the rest of the rules and with care because you are assuming it is loaded. What this means in practice is that you may reach for a gun that you know for certain you left unloaded, but you’ll still keep your finger off the trigger, and keep the barrel pointed in a safe direction while you check. Even if there is no magazine in the gun, there could still be a lone round loaded in the chamber. Own a gun for many years, and occasionally that gun you are certain is unloaded turns out to have actually been loaded.
Keep the barrel aimed in a safe direction always: Start thinking about the barrel as if it has a laser inside of it, and get into the meticulous habit of keeping that laser from pointing at anything you don’t want to put a hole in. This means that when loading or unloading you’re diligent about where the barrel is aiming throughout that process. It means that at the range you’re diligent about keeping it pointed in safe directions while taking out of the range bag and setting on the rest. It means keeping it pointed in safe directions (down range) at the range while inserting or ejecting mags, while investigating or clearing a jam, while shooting, and while putting it away. Get into the habit of keeping that laser pointed safely until it is muscle memory.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire: The principle you’ll practice until it is absolutely muscle memory is that the index finger you shoot with rides horizontally along the slide, up above and away from the trigger, always, until it’s time to move it into the trigger guard and shoot. Next time you’re watching a movie or tv show depicting professionals handling firearms, watch where the index finger of their shooting hand rests to see if they are accurately imitating professionals. This is one that will ruin some movies and tv shows for you!
Be sure of your target and what’s behind it: This rule applies when you are purposefully pulling the trigger, making sure that what you are aiming at will safely stop your bullet. If you’re shooting at a range they are handling this for you by ensuring that your bullets will be stopped safely as long as you do your part in keeping the barrel aimed downrange. You’re always responsible for your bullets and outside of a shooting range need to take even more care. If shooting on private land you must ensure that a target you’re shooting at has enough earth or other sufficient material behind it to stop a bullet. This also means never shooting into the air as you have absolutely no idea where that bullet will land.
Review these four simple rules over and over, practicing with a bluegun (or an orange one), before handling a real gun. Once you do buy a gun, review them before you handle the gun each time. Eventually this will become muscle memory and serve you well throughout your gun ownership journey.