The Four Universal Safety Rules

These rules work together. Follow all four, all the time, everywhere—on the range, at home, and during training.

① Treat all guns as if they are loaded

Perform a status check every time you pick up or hand off a pistol:

Remove magazine → lock slide to rear → visually and physically inspect chamber, magwell, and breech face.
Never assume someone else cleared it—you confirm.
Use a chamber flag when appropriate (range, classroom, transport case).

Common Mistake: Saying “it’s unloaded” and relaxing the other rules.
Fix: Act as if it’s loaded until you personally verify—and still follow Rules 2–4.

② Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy

Keep the gun oriented into a safe direction (downrange, berm, or floor at a steep angle).
Use a holster with full trigger coverage; avoid fishing the muzzle around or “gun-pointing” while talking.
When turning or moving, move your body around the muzzle, not the other way around.

Do: Keep muzzle downrange while loading/unloading; index to deck at 45° when off-line.

Don’t: Sweep your legs/hips while holstering or others while repositioning.

③ Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you’ve decided to fire

Index your trigger finger on the frame, above the trigger guard, any time you are not actively firing.
Reholster with a straight finger and clear garments; look the gun into the holster.
Only touch the trigger when:
- the muzzle is on target,
- you have a legal/ethical reason to shoot, and
- you have a safe backstop (Rule 4).

④ Be sure of your target, what is in front of it, and what is beyond it

Positively identify the target—no “shape/shine/sound” shots.
Consider over-penetration and misses; handgun bullets can travel hundreds of yards.
On ranges: verify a proper backstop; at home: know which walls stop bullets and which do not.

🧩 How the Rules Work Together

Violating one rule shouldn’t hurt anyone—because the others are still in place. Accidents happen when multiple rules are broken at once.

Example: Finger on trigger (Rule 3) + muzzle on your leg (Rule 2) = disaster, even if you “thought” it was unloaded (Rule 1).

📢 Range Commands You’ll Hear

“Cold Range” – No handling firearms without permission.
“Load and Make Ready” – Face downrange; load under control; finger straight.
“Finger Off / Muzzle!” – Immediate correction; acknowledge and fix.
“Cease Fire” – Stop immediately; finger straight; muzzle safe; await instructions.

🏠 Safe Dry Practice Protocol

Unload with a full status check; remove all ammo to another room.
Choose a defined safe backstop (e.g., basement wall with brick behind it).
Announce “Dry Practice Only” and set a timer (5–10 minutes).
When finished, say “Practice is over,” then store the gun—do not do “one more rep.”

✅ Quick Knowledge Check

When is it acceptable to place your finger on the trigger?
What three places do you inspect during a status check?
Describe a safe direction in your home and on your range.

Reminder: These are behavior rules, not trivia. We’ll reinforce them in every drill. Showing up with the rules already internalized makes you faster, safer, and more confident.