Gun usage requires serious responsibility, just like vehicle usage. For example, even if a teenager turning 16 receives a powerful vehicle as a birthday gift, they cannot immediately go out on the highway and start driving. They must first go to the DMV, take tests, and prove they can use the vehicle safely. Because unconscious use can harm others. The same situation applies when purchasing a handgun. A person buying a gun is expected to learn basic information about firearm safety before leaving the store. Thus, they gain awareness of how to use the gun safely. At this point, four basic rules conveyed by Glock shooting team members Shane, Michelle, and Tori form the foundation of gun safety.
Rule 1: Treat every firearm as loaded
The first and most important rule of gun safety is this: Every firearm should always be considered loaded. Thinking the gun is empty is one of the biggest risks. Therefore, it must be checked when you take the gun in your hand. Just looking is not enough during the control; physical control must also be done. Chamber should first be examined visually, then checked physically. The procedure performed before storing the gun safely is also clear: the slide is closed, then the trigger is pulled to ensure the gun is in a safe state.
Rule 2: Never point muzzle at anything you do not want to destroy
The second rule is extremely simple and relies on a principle most people define as “common sense”: Your gun’s muzzle should never be pointed at something you do not want to destroy. This rule is one of the most critical safety steps in preventing accidents. Even if the gun is thought to be empty, this rule does not change.
Rule 3: Keep finger off trigger until ready
The third rule aims to eliminate the risk of accidental firing. According to this: Your finger should not be on the trigger until the sights are aligned with the target and you have truly decided to fire. This habit is one of the basic safety behaviors that reduce reflex errors in gun usage.
Rule 4: Know your target and what is beyond
The fourth rule draws attention to a point that many people overlook but can have serious consequences: You have to know not only the target but also the back of the target. For example, if a farmer shoots while a cow passes behind the target, serious damage may occur unintentionally. As a result, you might accidentally get “too much steak and hamburgers.” Of course, a large freezer is required for this. This example clearly shows how important it is to check the area located behind the target.
Summary of 4 golden rules for safety
Each of these four rules is equally important. The summary made by the Glock team is as follows:
- Every firearm should always be considered loaded.
- Gun should not be pointed at anything you do not want to destroy.
- Your finger should not be on the trigger until you aim at the target and are ready to fire.
- What is the target and beyond the target must be known.