New Gun Owners Guide to Safety - rule 1

RULE 1: "TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS LOADED"

Rule 1 is the overarching mindset of firearms safety. The words do not do justice to the importance that the rule is meant to impart. The bottom line is that we need to remember that these firearms that we handle have HUGE consequences if handled improperly. We MUST ensure that we are treating our firearms with the proper respect that they deserve. Treat them as if they were dangerous because they are.

The words of the rule do lack some nuance however. If we always treat a firearm as if it were loaded, we would never dry fire. It would simply be too risky. On the other end of the spectrum is the idea that we need to make sure the gun IS loaded should we need it. If you expect a defensive gun to be loaded and it is not, you may have negated the benefit of having it.

So perhaps a more thorough addition to the rule would be: Ensure you know the loaded status of your firearm. If it is not in the condition you desire, make it so.

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Make sure you know the status of your firearm, and put the gun in the condition you wish.