XIII. Safety and Security

A. Safe Use of Firearms

0. Gun Safety

b. Revised Rules of Gun Safety

1. When picking up or accepting a firearm, always check personally to ensure it is unloaded. If you do not understand how to do this, ask. If you are accepting a firearm from another, expect that person to check the firearm before handing it to you.
2. Control the muzzle; never point a firearm in an unsafe direction. Unsafe directions: At yourself; at someone else (even briefly), at a sheetrock wall behind which others are likely to be, at a flat surface or surface of water. Targets may lie in unsafe directions....don't shoot at them. WARNING: It is natural to point a handgun at someone beside you, if you are examining it! Move your body to keep firearm pointed in a safe direction.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Meaning, the sights are on target. Especially important whilst holstering a handgun, or changing the magazine in an autoloader. The proper place for the trigger finger is resting against the outside of the trigger guard.
4. When you are cleaning or dry firing a firearm, remove all ammunition in another room; and double check the firearm when you enter the room you'll be cleaning/dry firing in.
5. If you are with a person handling a firearm who is emotionally distraught, or who is clearly being unsafe - don't be bashful and don't waste time: leave immediately. Discuss it later. If they are unrepentant, avoid them.
6. Do not possess, transport, or handle a firearm within four hours of drinking the least bit of alcohol. If you are a firearms owner, give up any drugs/heavy drinking entirely.
7. Always wear hearing protection and safety glasses when shooting, or near others who are. Unprotected, nearby gunfire always causes some hearing loss.
8. Obey your range officer and study range rules. Common rules: Always stay entirely behind the firing line whilst anyone is firing. Do NOT go downrange until all firearms have actions open and magazines removed, and the all clear signal has been given. Do NOT handle firearms or ammunition at a range, during a cease-fire. Even to leave the range. Always police your brass and targets, prior to departure.
9. At home, do not store a firearm in a higher level of readiness than the least-trained, least-responsible member of the household can be trusted with. Ideally, no firearm should be easily available to an intruder.
10. Don't hesitate to point out poor gun handling by friends, family, gun dealers, cops, etc. Safety depends on us all - even when it's not comfortable to hear or say.