Every time you see a firearm or see the word “firearm”, it should trigger an idea in your mind comparable to the flashing of an emergency sign reading “CAUTION”. Remember that once the bullet goes off, “It is history.” Use common sense when handling firearms and be alert to firearms safety rules.
Before handling any firearm, you should know and use the proper method of checking that weapon’s condition. If a weapon is handed to you, keep it pointed in a safe direction and verify that it is unloaded. A safe direction is one in which, in the event of an unintentional discharge, no physical injury will result and only minor property damage will result. Remove ammunition from the weapon without dropping any rounds and visually inspect all chambers to make sure the weapon is not loaded.
Basic Rules of Safety:
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions to RULE I. Do not just pretend that this is true, but affirm that this is true. Some people and instructors take this rule and dilute the force of it. For example they say, “We will treat all guns as if they were loaded.” Unfortunately, the “as if” compromises the power and reality of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. This mentality is not the same at all. Safety rules must be worded soberly and forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance. DO NOT take this casually, DEATH, YOUR DEATH is not a light hearted event.
LET ME SAY IT AGAIN: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED – PERIOD.
This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, “Don’t worry, it’s not loaded,” do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. What if they get offended? Better to offend then negligently kill or injure someone. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check all firearms properly. Your life and others depend on it.
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE / COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO SHOOT AND DESTROY
This rule is casually, ignorantly and continuously violated, especially with pistols. RULE II applies whether you are involved in range practice, daily carry, or cleaning and examination. An assembled weapon in someone’s hands is capable of discharging a projectile. A firearm holstered safely and resting properly is of no danger to anyone. A gun being handled is ALWAYS a cause for awareness and concern. This rule applies to combat engagement as well as to daily handling, cleaning, storage etc. If you are not making the conscious decision in a situation that necessitates justly ending a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. This rule also applies to your own body. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your person. Especially consider this when drawing and re holstering your weapon.
Rule III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
This is probably the most unconsciously, ignorantly and frequently violated rule of firearm safety. This rule is most violated on the gun range when people unknowingly place their finger in the trigger guard without their sights aligned on target. Never stand, sit or walk around with your finger on the trigger. It is extremely dangerous and a terrible habit to try and correct. Never fire a shot unless the sights are superimposed on the target and you have made a conscious decision to fire. Firing an unaligned pistol in a combat situation gains nothing. If you are going to fire a round, it had best be directed purposely. Danger is inevitable if you allow your finger to “casually hang out” inside the trigger guard. As soon as the sights leave the target, the trigger-finger leaves the trigger and straightens alongside the frame.
Since the human hand normally prefers to work as a unit (as in grasping something) separating the function of the trigger-finger from the rest of the hand takes habitual, purposeful and concentrated effort. The five-finger grasp is a deeply programmed reflex. Under sufficient physiological stress, and with the finger already placed inside the trigger guard or on the trigger, an unexpected movement, stumble or surprise could result in a negligent discharge. Some people object to this rule saying it sacrifices speed. Speed cannot be gained from such a premature placement of the trigger-finger. Bringing the sights to focus and align on the target, whether from the holstered or the Guard Position, takes more time than required for moving the trigger finger from the frame to the trigger.
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
Know what your target is, what is in line with your target, and what is behind your target. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified and made a conscious decision to put your sights on. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a defensive situation. Do not assume anything.
SUMMARY OF THE BASICS:
If you are going to carry a gun, these safety rules must become a part of your mindset. Never compromise them. Improper gun handling results from ignorance and learned bad habits. Education and practicing good habits can correct and cure this. You can make a difference by following these safety rules and insisting that those around you do the same. Set the example. By doing so you will prevent tragedy in your life and the lives of others.
Other Safety Items to Consider:
- You are responsible for your weapon(s) at all times.
- Weapons and ammunition should be stored in a safe place.
- Keep all firearms from the reach of children or immature and irresponsible people.
- Educate and train family members as to the potential danger of firearms.
- A loaded weapon at home presents a greater danger than an unloaded weapon. Individual circumstances will dictate how a weapon should be stored.
Additional Safety Rules while Carrying Concealed:
- Always be conscious of exposure of your weapon to others while in its holster.
- Do not use the holstered weapon as an armrest.
- Do not allow your weapon to become a conversation piece by removing it from the concealment or the holster for examination by friends, relatives, etc.
- Firearms should be carried fully loaded at all times. You might be thinking this is a typo. Please read on. Carrying concealed is a decision that you have made to defend your life and the lives of those you love. Concealed carry is not a decision to be made lightly or casually. A decision of this magnitude needs to be made rationally and intelligently by basing the decision on all the necessary factors involved in coming to a conclusion for a safe and effective plan of action. After considering all the factors of concealed carry – specifically combat physiology including reaction time and dexterity – this author has come to the conclusion that a loaded chamber with a fully loaded magazine is the absolute safest way to carry a defensive, combat, concealed handgun.
Specifically, the time, awareness and dexterity involved in exposing the fire arm, chambering a round and entering the fight is plainly and painfully slower than only drawing from concealment and entering the fight.
Now, you may say that a person who practices drawing and then chambering can become as fast as someone who already has a round chambered. All things equal, this is simply not true. The only person in the conflict that matters is YOU and of course the other person or persons who you are reacting to. Common logic tells you that if you are reacting you are already at a time disadvantage. So, convince yourself. Find a gun range where you can practice both ways with a shot timer proficiently. If you are only competing against you it will be obvious which way is faster. In fact, you will be surprised that in some cases it is 1 or 2 full seconds faster. Now you may say “what is the big deal about 1 or 2 seconds”? If you have ever been in a combat situation or an emergency, literally every second matters and can make the difference between life and death.
If you currently do not carry your defensive handgun in the fully loaded condition, I would like to take a moment to encourage you with some sound logical advice.
If you are not sure about “feeling safe” carrying with a round in the chamber, DO NOT DO IT. However, take all the time necessary to educate yourself concerning your firearm, holster and gun safety to logically and assuredly come to the conclusion that it is the most ready and safest way to carry your handgun.
Once you become educated and convinced of the inner and outer workings of your defensive handgun and absolutely sure about committing yourself to practicing the FOUR RULES OF GUN SAFETY we just covered, you will not fear carrying in the fully loaded condition, but you will realize there is no safer, more reliable way to carry your handgun.
Safe Weapon Storage
Firearm safety also includes safe storage for your weapon. Many times that people’s weapons discharge “accidentally”, the firings occur at home – an extremely high rate, considering that one would normally expect a weapon to have the least amount of use there. Educating your immediate family about your weapon is mandatory, of course. However, even assuming they are all mature enough to absorb and obey instructions on avoiding or properly handling your firearm, you’ll quite likely have visitors who know nothing about firearms. And we know that people unfamiliar with firearms almost always handle them in the most dangerous way possible, by immediately putting a finger on the trigger and pointing the muzzle in an unsafe direction.
For maximum security, you want to make your weapon is either on your person in a safe loaded condition, properly stored or stored long term as inoperative and inaccessible.
Ammunition Safety:
Safety discussions should also include ammunition. At some point you may experience malfunctions with your ammunition, such as a misfire and hang-fire.
A misfire is defined as the failure of a primer to ignite the powder charge. A hang-fire is described as the temporary failure of the primer to ignite the powder charge. The problem lies in not knowing, at the outset, which is which. When what appears to be a misfire occurs, the weapon should be kept pointed in a safe direction (on the range it is pointed toward the target).
Hang-fire rarely take more than five seconds to ignite. The standard range rule (except as related to fully automatic weapons) is to allow ten seconds and then unload. The unloading should be done with the weapon pointed in a safe direction. If there is any foreign material in the bore, it should be removed prior to any subsequent firing.
If you live in the Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Zachary, Baker, Clinton or surrounding Louisiana metro areas it will benefit you to take a concealed carry permit, renewal or advanced tactical training class.