Your firearm safety rules

[muddywings]

I was initially going to title this thread, “what is your 5th rule of firearm safety?” to spark either insightful or humorous stories. I preemptively Googled ‘firearm safety rules’ out of curiosity and found that the 4 that I have gone by (Cooper’s) maybe are not as universal as I thought. I found lists that ranged from 3 (NRA-that also had several additional caveats) to lists that ranged as high as 10.

So, instead I guess I’ll ask what are your safety rules and hope that at least, 1 is a more personal rule.

As I stated I go by Jeff Cooper’s rules and my 5th rule comes from this:
I have Ruger LCP in a pocket holster, which I use when I take the dog for a walk around the block. After a walk I put the LCP on the kitchen table for a second (still in holster) but a bit too close to the edge. Then on top of that I bumped into the table trying to get around something on the floor causing the gun to fall. Reaction proceeded cognitive thought process and I went to grab it. Luckily my brain caught up and said ‘screw that let it drop.’ By the time it hit the ground it had slid out of the holster due to the friction of the holster against the table. My brain played out a few unfortunate scenarios if I had grabbed it and got my finger in the trigger guard. So-my 5th rule is ‘never catch a falling gun.’ (Luckily my rule wasn't painful to learn as many in life are!)

TGIF!

[Chad4000]

Great thread...

I have a couple that I also use. One is, nobody else in the house knows where the gun is. When I was married, my wife had trained with me etc, and obviously she was part of the defense plan. I wanted her to have the same ability to protect our son, herself etc. so I didn't develop this rule until after the divorce. Since the divorce I have spent time back at my mothers house, with roommates and now I live with my sister. those family members and friends hadn't trained with me (or at all for that matter) and never wanted too. Basically I made the decision that, given who I was dealing with, it would be beneficial for all, that nobody has the ability to "hear a noise" and go for my gun. (for clarification, I only keep one ready to go, the rest are in the safe, and this is assuming I wasn't there).

The second, is that I never touch a loaded gun. I know how that sounds, but what I mean is that, once I have placed the weapon (be it in the car, or in the house) it ONLY moves for function tests, cleaning etc. It never leaves that location to "show somebody" (which I have been asked to do lol) or whatever. The idea being that I, 100% know where my shit is, which way it is facing, and what condition it is in etc.

Hopefully I am making sense here lol

[HoneyBadger]

Never appendix carry. I'm paranoid of shooting my balls off.

Also, I have a habit that is probably a good rule: Every time I pick up a handgun (this started with my carry gun), I drop the mag and rack the slide 3 times. Every time. No exceptions.

[hurley842002]

Never appendix carry.
False

[TFOGGER]

5. Don't be a dumbass

[XC700116]

Here's one that may seem a bit obvious, but unfortunately, it's not, or it's just ignored by most gun owners.

KNOW your guns, inside and out, what makes them work, known "issues" if any for that make/model, failure modes, etc. Obviously you aren't going to get out the manual and tear a gun apart that you're shooting that belongs to a friend at the range or something like that. But EVERY gun I own, I've torn completely apart, gone through it, and researched the crap out of before I ever take it to the range.

If/when something goes wrong, you have a much better idea on how to fix it, render it safe, etc if there is a malfunction.

[StagLefty]

When I was an active Instructor we always stressed the NRA 3 basic rules but we also discussed several others during the classes.

[FirstShotSteel]

Whenever any of my weapons are out of my immediate control and not in my hand (including - in a safe, gun case, vehicle, etc..), I drop the mag and check the chamber. This includes out shooting in the forest or the range with anyone who is along on the trip. I always treat every gun like it's loaded, but still check the weapon again if I come back from checking targets etc. I check them before I put them back in a case for transport and I check them again before I put them in the safe. Mostly because I know as every year tics by, relying on good fundamentals is more trustworthy than my memory.

[Hound]

Don't assume "they" know what they are doing. I recently had a friend that is looking for a new carry gun. I have known him for years. He owns other guns and has seemed proficient. I showed him a S&W Bodyguard without the mag after being cleared, nobody else around, at home. He liked it but said the grip was "off". I said it is better with the mag because of the pinky addition. This is one of my carry guns with a normally loaded mag. I showed him the loaded mag and told him it was loaded. First thing he does is put in the mag and pull back the slide. That was my fault. I should not have assumed and felt like an ass over it. I calmly got the gun back.
His first words were to the effect of "I know what I am doing". [facepalm]

Lesson learned on my part.

[MarkCO]

The 4 Laws of Gun Safety (Provided by Bill Nottingham, not Cooper) are the most fundamental safety rules for anyone that handles a gun. There are many additional rules for different situations, but these are ones that apply for ALL situations. The more often you handle guns the more likely someday you will have a Negligent Discharge (ND)! It's just a matter of when, where, and under what circumstances. If you are obeying the 4 Laws of Gun Safety when it happens, it will be VERY scary. IF YOU'RE NOT, IT COULD BE VERY TRAGIC! Having investigated numerous "accidental" shootings, many involving death, in each case, the breaking of at least one of the fundamental laws (in most cases two) was THE causal contributor to the firing of the firearm.

The 1st Law of Gun Safety - The Gun Is Always Loaded!
EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe manner, control your muzzle, and always treat it as a loaded gun. You should VISUALLY inspect your gun's chamber every time you pick it up even if you just sat it down moments before. It may seem redundant but establishing good habits may save a tragedy during a moment of "brain-fade". Remove all ammunition and loaded magazines from the immediate area when handling any gun if it will not be fired. Also, if you hand someone your gun, VISUALLY show them the empty chamber and accept no less in return! An experienced gun handler would never feel insulted.
The 2nd Law of Gun Safety - Never Point A Gun At Something You're Not Prepared To Destroy!
The best way to handle a gun is to imagine the worst case scenario: Assume your "empty" gun is loaded and that it's going to function PERFECTLY! When you press the trigger it will FIRE! Since you are prepared for that, you should only point the gun in a safe direction - never allowing the muzzle to sweep you or someone else. That way, if "brain-fade" does result in a Negligent Discharge (ND), it will be into a safe impact area and there won't be a tragedy.
The 3rd Law of Gun Safety - Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It!
Bullets can penetrate lots of things, many of which may surprise you. Identify your target before firing - even before dry-firing. If you are not sure, DON'T FIRE! Just as important, make sure there's a safe impact area behind your target. For home dry-fire practice, find and aim only at a BULLET PROOF BACKSTOP. Even though you have checked and double-checked your gun, you should still treat your gun as though it's loaded and functional. Plasterboard walls and outer walls are not bulletproof. A handgun bullet can easily travel through several rooms before stopping. Who is in these rooms? If you're not sure, and you still aimed in that direction, SHAME ON YOU!
The 4th Law of Gun Safety - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target!
KEEP YOUR FINGER OUTSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD! Almost all Negligent Discharges (ND) are caused by placing the finger on the trigger when you aren't prepared to fire. A finger on the trigger during reloading, during movement, during the draw, holstering, or while clearing a jam have led to several Negligent Discharges (ND). It's difficult to isolate the trigger finger from the muscles required to hold the gun firmly - they all want to contract together. It can be especially difficult under stress and anxiety. Therefore, THE FINGER SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL THE INSTANT YOU ARE PREPARED TO FIRE! This holds true even if you find yourself in a legitimate self-defense situation.

There is no fifth. If you do not have full comprehension and adherence to the 4 fundamental laws, then you should not be handling firearms. There is a need (I admit I fall prey to it as well) to add and subtract from the fundamental guns laws, but to do so creates problems, not solutions. These 4 laws are used in almost all action shooting sports and are used by all competent trainers and instructors. Gun Safety is not a place of ego or re-creation of the wheel.

[ray1970]

Not sure if it's a rule but just something I've always done. (Some of you aren't going to agree with this, I'm sure.)

No loaded firearms in the house. Nothing in the safe is loaded or has a loaded magazine in it. Anything that happens to be out of the safe for whatever reason (usually because I'm tinkering with it or cleaning it or just admiring it) won't be loaded either. That way I don't have to try to remember which ones are loaded and which ones aren't. And if I pull something out of the safe to show someone there isn't a chance for any kind of "oops". And even though I know nothing in the house is loaded I still check them to make doubly sure they are clear any time I handle one.

[MarkCO]

ray, if that is how you choose to handle it, which is beyond the 4 fundamentals, that is certainly not something to be knocked IMHO.

[ray1970]

ray, if that is how you choose to handle it, which is beyond the 4 fundamentals, that is certainly not something to be knocked IMHO.

It's managed to keep me and my friends and family safe and keep my home free of unwanted holes in the walls or ceilings for many years.

Of course the main drawback would be if I ever actually needed to use one in an emergency. I'd probably be screwed then. Lol.

Might have to reevalute the situation then. If I survive.

[Dave_L]

The only gun loaded in my house is my carry gun. It stays on my until I go to bed at which point, it sits next to my bed on the nightstand. It does stay in the holster at all times. I never leave the trigger exposed.

[TFOGGER]

Whenever I handle a firearm, I physically check the chamber. Then I KNOW it is either loaded or unloaded. If I hand it to someone else, they check it, even if they watched me do it. When they hand it back, I check it again. Habit.

[buffalobo]

Whenever I handle a firearm, I physically check the chamber. Then I KNOW it is either loaded or unloaded. If I hand it to someone else, they check it, even if they watched me do it. When they hand it back, I check it again. Habit.
Everyone in my immediate family has been trained to do this.

The minions have learned the practice well and always ask if any of our guns need cleaned, oiled or just wiped down, they know they will get to verify safe.

[Fentonite]

When I was a wee lad, many years ago, my dad made me memorize all the rules in an antiquated book, "The Gunner's Bible", before I could take possession of my dandy new Crossman 760 air rifle. There were quite a few more rules than the currently accepted 4, which admittedly cover everything. As an adult, I forgot all the extra rules, and adopted the currently accepted (and easy to remember) 4 rules, through many years of carrying weapons for a living.

Until a hunting trip, when I was crossing a barbed wire fence. One of the rules from The Gunner's Bible came back to me: Never cross a fence with a loaded firearm. Memories from about 40 years back trickled into my brain, and I paused, rested the shotgun against the fence, and while crossing, got my waders tangled in the barbed wire and fell on my ass. I was glad that obscure rule came back to me (thanks Dad!).

(Disclaimer: yeah, I realize it's not a tactically-applicable rule, but I wouldn't wear clumsy neoprene waders in that setting either).

[Daniel_187]

If there are guns around one better be yours.

[OtterbatHellcat]

I'm not knocking anyone about safety or personal habit, but unloaded pistols are fairly useless. Might as well have a safe full of hammers.

Every pistol I own is loaded, and treated as such. Always index when handling. The only time I have one unloaded is for cleaning or dry fire practice/drawing from concealed etc.

Like Cstone always says,

Be safe.

[ray1970]

I'm not knocking anyone about safety or personal habit, but unloaded pistols are fairly useless.

What about unloaded long guns?

[OtterbatHellcat]

Hiya Ray. Oddly enough, I don't leave any long guns loaded. But I still index them too.

Used to keep a shotgun loaded, but it went into the safe as well.

[ray1970]

Might as well have a safe full of hammers. [Coffee]

[OtterbatHellcat]

lol

Ya got me.

The thinking is that long guns generally aren't self defense/protection weapons. Yep, long hammers.

[Irving]

Might as well have a safe full of hammers. [Coffee]

Long range hammers?

Since it was brought up Ray, I was curious if you mean completely unloaded, or just unchambered? I assume unloaded. Do you have loaded mags around at all?

I keep carry gun loaded and other guns unloaded. I have a shotgun unchambered, but it is usually in the safe.

[OtterbatHellcat]

Hey Irving,

No long guns chambered/loaded...and no long gun mags loaded either. Now I'm curious if I'm the only one doing stuff this way?

ETA: In fact, my long gun mags are in a different location from the main safe.

[SSChameleon]

Along Ray's line of thought, I don't chamber long guns in the house. Not to check function or any other reason. The only loaded pistol is the one in the pistol box in the bedroom. I decided this after reading about a guy who had an ND in an apartment and the bullent went into the neighbors couch. I realized with my hunting rifles any of them are powerful enough to send a bullet through my kids rooms and into the neighbors house.

i thought about the likelyhood of seing an elk in my house vs an ND and started this rule.

[ray1970]

I do have some loaded magazines handy. Just in case. Even have a few in the safe. The magazines aren't in the firearms but are handy enough if I found the need to load something up.

[earplug]

No touching after drinking. Had a loaded revolver pointed at me while drinking.
Got a neighbor I probably pissed off cause I had a beer and didn't want to look at his Ruger 22. I missed the thrill.
Just my rule

[HoneyBadger]

Hey Irving,

No long guns chambered/loaded...and no long gun mags loaded either. Now I'm curious if I'm the only one doing stuff this way?

ETA: In fact, my long gun mags are in a different location from the main safe.
I keep loaded mags in all handguns and right next to all long guns. I've never had a reason to chamber a round in any long gun while in the house.

[james_bond_007]

Personal Practices (not really 'rules' for everyone...but are 'rules that work for me')

Rule (1): I won't drink if I am carrying.
Corollary to (1) : I won't carry if I plan to drink.

In this strange world, ANY issue that happens after having a drink, accidentally or not, becomes officially known as "Alcohol Related", regardless of the amount of alcohol you have had and regardless of whether it is your fault or not. I does not necessarily implicate you as 'guilty', but does bode poorly for you, should a finger be pointed in your direction. Other than when you are considered 'driving' your vehicle, there are no official metrics to define where 'the line' is, and if it is 'drawn' in the same place for everyone.

Rule (2): When target shooting outdoors, I ALWAYS make sure someone is with me or someone else is around in case I need help. (aka I use "the Buddy System")

Same applies to hiking, swimming, etc.
Accidents can happen.
For example, if for some reason one of my guns blows up (reloading mistake ? etc.) sending shrapnel into my body , I'd like to be in a position where, if incapacitated or unable to assist myself, I can still receive help as soon as possible, and minimize any injuries by having someone help me get prompt medical attention.

Rule (3): Store all firearms, not in use, unloaded and with a chamber flag installed.

A chamber flag can be as simple as a large bright red or orange zip tie with one end stuffed in the chamber and the other allowed to visibly hang outside the action.

Again, just MY personal practices.

[UncleDave]

I have a little different rule in my house. All guns are locked and loaded (no kids in the house), with the exception of shotguns and long guns. They are loaded empty chambers. I let everyone know that any gun in my house is loaded. You always treat them like they are anyway, so they should be in my opinion. That way there are no surprises.

[Holger Danske]

I do the 4 rules plus. Carry guns always loaded for me and wifey. Also, I always carry at home (no need to run to the safe if needed). regularly clean the lint out of my carry gun. CBIs at the range, esp when the jr operators are shooting. Range rod in the muzzleloader barrel when not loaded.

[Duman]

Personally, I use three rules. Some habits, not rules, are:
1. Drop the mag, rack slide 3-times, stick my finger up the chamber...sounds kinky, now that I've written it down
2. All guns loaded, unless under maintenance
3. Be alert and aware of where your guns are
4. Don't be stupid, or a "viral video candidate"

[asmo]

The 4 Laws of Gun Safety (Provided by Bill Nottingham, not Cooper) are the most fundamental safety rules for anyone that handles a gun. There are many additional rules for different situations, but these are ones that apply for ALL situations. The more often you handle

The 1st Law of Gun Safety - The Gun Is Always Loaded!
EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe manner, control your muzzle, and always treat it as a loaded gun. You should VISUALLY inspect your gun's chamber every time you pick it up even if you just sat it down moments before. It may seem redundant but establishing good habits may save a tragedy during a moment of "brain-fade". Remove all ammunition and loaded magazines from the immediate area when handling any gun if it will not be fired. Also, if you hand someone your gun, VISUALLY show them the empty chamber and accept no less in return! An experienced gun handler would never feel insulted.


I teach a very tiny modification to this rule. Specifically: "Always treat the gun as if it was loaded". Which I believe is a little more to the point. The gun is "always" loaded mantra has always rubbed me slightly wrong. If I just unloaded and cleared the gun is it loaded - No. But should I treat it as if it was - Yes. Dunno. Maybe I am way too pedantic, but its just me.

[ZERO THEORY]

Not sure if it's a rule but just something I've always done. (Some of you aren't going to agree with this, I'm sure.)

No loaded firearms in the house. Nothing in the safe is loaded or has a loaded magazine in it. Anything that happens to be out of the safe for whatever reason (usually because I'm tinkering with it or cleaning it or just admiring it) won't be loaded either. That way I don't have to try to remember which ones are loaded and which ones aren't. And if I pull something out of the safe to show someone there isn't a chance for any kind of "oops". And even though I know nothing in the house is loaded I still check them to make doubly sure they are clear any time I handle one.

I do the same with the exception of my carry gun. When I get home and am done for the day, I'll take it off my belt, but leave it in the holster near me (in the event of a break-in or knock at the door at 10:00 PM).

I never want to have to load a mag or rack the slide in a high-stress, sudden scenario. God forbid my back door gets kicked in while I'm poking around on here or something and I've got to feed a mag, rack the slide, etc. while the perp is doing God-knows-what in my house.