National Rifle Association Sets The Standard
The 3 Rules of Gun Safety were established by The National Rifle Association (NRA). Whether you like them or not, The NRA has been the leader in firearms education for decades. Regardless of the politics, nobody can argue that since 1871 the NRA has set the standard that every other group tries to meet. Founded in New York by two Civil War veterans, the NRA quickly established itself as a pioneer. Their education programs and work with law enforcement, Boy Scouts of America, and countless groups/clubs have provided the foundation we use for gun safety today. Over the decades, the NRA has developed 3 simple rules.
The NRA 3 Rules of Gun Safety
The NRA’s 3 Rules of Gun Safety are simple and as follows:
- ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
- ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot
- ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
There are many additional rules to add to this list however the NRA 3 Rules of Gun Safety are the fundamental rules everyone must follow. Whether you are shooting for sport, competition, or using a firearm for protection, the safety of not only yourself but everyone around you is paramount.
3 Rules of Gun Safety Explained
Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. Things to consider with this rule involve not only people or objects in a direct line of sight but also things not in your direct line of sight. If you are pointing at a wall, floor, or ceiling, do you ask yourself what is on the other side? Could there be people or objects on the other side? Of course, there can be and this is why you must be sure. You must consider this each and every time you are pointing the muzzle!
Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. This sounds simple but this is something that is formed by habit of practice. Keeping your finger extended along the frame of the gun is called “indexing”. You only move your finger into the trigger guard and onto the trigger when you are ready to shoot. Most new shooters have a habit of putting their finger on the trigger as soon as they pick up the firearm but this habit must be broken immediately. Modern handguns have many different safety features built-in and the gun will only discharge when the trigger is pulled. Most accidental firings are the result of a negligent discharge meaning that the trigger was pulled when not intended to be pulled.
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. This can be a tricky rule to interpret. If you carry your firearm, keeping it loaded is a must. However, if you have multiple firearms in your home what do you do? The answer is….it depends! In my case, most of my firearms are unloaded and locked in safes because I have children. I keep one firearm in a quick-access safe that is loaded, has a round in the chamber, and has the safety engaged. It is ready to go in the event I need it. I typically carry a loaded firearm with me throughout the day. It does not matter if I am doing yard work, cleaning the house, or barbequing in the yard, I have a firearm on my person. If I did not have children, I might stage a couple of loaded firearms around my house for quick access. Regardless of your situation, you must be as responsible as possible but give yourself a fighting chance in the event something bad happens. If you are in possession of firearms for competitive shooting or hunting or you are a collector, keeping them locked away and unloaded makes more sense.
In Conclusion
As I stated earlier, there are many rules out there but these basic rules are the 3 Rules of Gun Safety everyone must adhere to. Being a responsible gun owner is vitally important to the security of our 2nd Amendment right. All of us have a responsibility to remain safe and keep those around us safe. As an NRA Certified Instructor, my obligation is to teach safety above all else. I hope that my students take this responsibility seriously and enforce these rules with anyone else they come in contact with.