After many years of training in countless states and different countries, we’ve seen it all regarding gun safety or lack thereof. In this blog we are covering the Five Basic Rules for Firearm Safety; NEVER, TREAT, KEEP, KEEP, TARGET. You’d be surprised how often accidental and negligent discharges happen, but one negligent injury or death is too many and we can't stress enough how important it is to play it safe. Picture this as your GPS for responsible gun ownership. So, buckle up, as we break down these rules and why they’re crucial to ensuring you and everyone around you stay out of harm's way. There’s more to firearm safety but these are the basics, and you’ll see that they’re a bit redundant but that’s to make sure we have layers of protection when handling firearms.
NEVER Point Your Weapon At Anything You Don't Plan To Kill Or Destroy
Sounds simple, right? Your weapon handling should be deliberate, minimizing any chance of accidents. When you’re maneuvering with your firearm, you want to be sure you’re not pointing towards someone or something you don’t plan to destroy. You’ve gotta remember that your gun's muzzle is your responsibility.
TREAT All Guns as If They're Loaded
When you come across a firearm, there's an air of uncertainty; whether there's one in the chamber, in the pipe, or if that mag is loaded. Whether it doesn’t have a mag or you take the mag out and it’s empty, still treat it like it's loaded. It's not just a suggestion; it's a necessity! It's about respect for the power your firearm holds. This extra layer of caution ensures that you're never caught off guard, maintaining the highest standards of firearm safety.
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KEEP Your Gun Pointed Down Range
When you’re on the range and need to move around or manipulate your weapons system, be sure to get in high or low ready. You don’t want to flag people around you. It can be unnerving when you’re a safety conscious person and you see people at a public range who violate this rule. That kind of carelessness can get someone seriously hurt or killed.
KEEP Your Finger Off the Trigger
Be sure to keep your finger off the trigger until you have an acceptable sight picture and you are ready to fire. This is yet another layer of protection. You’re not going to point the gun at anything you don’t want to kill or destroy, and your finger isn’t on the trigger unless you’re ready to kill or destroy.
ISP Instructor Steve and student demonstrate proper firearm safety with their fingers off the trigger.
TARGET- Know What's Between You And The Target
Before you take your shot, it's essential to know what's between you and the target, beyond the target and left and right of the target. It's like playing chess; you're thinking moves ahead to make sure everything's safe and sound. Be the chess master and know your surroundings.
Conclusion
The Five Basic Rules for Firearm Safety serve as your guide. Regard them as layers of defense that’s redundantly crucial. Remember; NEVER, TREAT, KEEP, KEEP, TARGET. Your gun's muzzle is solely your responsibility; intentional handling decreases the risk of accidents. Treat every gun as loaded, regardless of its visible condition. Ensure the gun points down range, preventing risks to those nearby. Keep your finger off the trigger and know what’s around your target when you’re preparing to fire. Safety is like a shield, and knowing your battlefield makes you the ultimate protector.
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About The Author
Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.
