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1,270 Posts
I don't know why this hasn't been posted yet, but I figure I'd throw it out there for the n00bs and anyone who might need a refresher 
1. The gun is ALWAYS loaded.
2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to fire.
4. Know your target, and what is behind it.
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Expanded Version
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1. The gun is always Loaded.
This rule is in place because you should not have two modes of gun handling: when you handle a gun, it should be the same way, every time. You should not have one standard of handling for an unloaded gun, and one for a loaded gun, you should have the same standard of handling for both. Why? Because one day you will be positive that you have an unloaded gun and you will be wrong. Saying the gun is always loaded is simpler than saying treat it as if it's loaded. Kind of a mindset thing.
2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Obviously there is a sliding scale of things that we would not want to see destroyed, starting with hum0ns, going down to pets and other living creatures, down to expensive appliences, down to less expensive appliances, to walls, floors and such. Your judgement is called into play here. When handling any gun, be aware of the muzzle direction, and be aware that you could destroy whatever it is pointing at at any given time...because the gun is always loaded!
3. Finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
This rule is here because the only way that any modern gun will fire is if the trigger is pulled. If you keep your fingers away from the trigger, it will not get pulled. Also, under stress, parts of the body can and will do things of their own accord without you being aware- one thing your hands to is curl inward, so if your finger is on the trigger, you could be adding pressure to it without realizing it until it goes off. It only takes an instant to bring your finger onto the trigger once you have made the decision to fire.
4. Know your target, and what is behind it.
This means Identily your target, every single time, and never ever shoot anything unless you are 1000% sure what it is, and what will happen when your bullet goes through it and keeps travelling. Identifying your target means make SURE it's a deer and not your brother in law, and make SURE it's a home invader and not, well, your brother in law whom you didn't know was coming over. Make positive visual identification of your target. Also, if you miss, or if your bullet penetrates your target and keeps going, you are still responsible for it so it's a good idea to know what is behind your target.
1. The gun is ALWAYS loaded.
2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Finger OFF the trigger until you are ready to fire.
4. Know your target, and what is behind it.
*********************************************************
Expanded Version
*********************************************************
1. The gun is always Loaded.
This rule is in place because you should not have two modes of gun handling: when you handle a gun, it should be the same way, every time. You should not have one standard of handling for an unloaded gun, and one for a loaded gun, you should have the same standard of handling for both. Why? Because one day you will be positive that you have an unloaded gun and you will be wrong.
Saying the gun is always loaded is simpler than saying treat it as if it's loaded. Kind of a mindset thing.2. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Obviously there is a sliding scale of things that we would not want to see destroyed, starting with hum0ns, going down to pets and other living creatures, down to expensive appliences, down to less expensive appliances, to walls, floors and such. Your judgement is called into play here. When handling any gun, be aware of the muzzle direction, and be aware that you could destroy whatever it is pointing at at any given time...because the gun is always loaded!
3. Finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
This rule is here because the only way that any modern gun will fire is if the trigger is pulled. If you keep your fingers away from the trigger, it will not get pulled. Also, under stress, parts of the body can and will do things of their own accord without you being aware- one thing your hands to is curl inward, so if your finger is on the trigger, you could be adding pressure to it without realizing it until it goes off. It only takes an instant to bring your finger onto the trigger once you have made the decision to fire.
4. Know your target, and what is behind it.
This means Identily your target, every single time, and never ever shoot anything unless you are 1000% sure what it is, and what will happen when your bullet goes through it and keeps travelling. Identifying your target means make SURE it's a deer and not your brother in law, and make SURE it's a home invader and not, well, your brother in law whom you didn't know was coming over. Make positive visual identification of your target. Also, if you miss, or if your bullet penetrates your target and keeps going, you are still responsible for it so it's a good idea to know what is behind your target.
