The Rules of Gun Safety

In addition to these, bear in mind that if you're too tired or irritated to follow these rules, you probably shouldn't be handling a gun at that moment.

The Absolutes

• Never point the muzzle at anything you don't want to shoot.
• Treat every gun as if it is loaded, even if you know it isn't.
• Keep your finger off the trigger until you're aiming at your target.
• Bullets cannot be recalled once fired: you are responsible for the safety of everything between the muzzle of your gun and the place where the bullet comes to rest.

Additional precautions some folks believe in

• Leave semi-auto chambers empty - it's almost impossible to rack a slide accidentally, but easy to disengage a safety.
• Don't store your guns loaded unless you have to for self defense.

-- AdamSmith - 26 Feb 2006