Basic Firearms Safety

Although there are a few verities of this basic list of rules, and even some lists that are much longer, the above rules known as TAB+1, should be the absolute minimum rules to remember when handling any firearm.  They are intended to be the foundation of safe firearm handling.  Following these rules, can be the difference between a enjoyable day in the field, and tragedy.

Consider the rules individually:

T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.  How many times have you heard stories of someone getting hurt, because they "thought the gun wasn't loaded"?

A - Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.  Another common version of this rule is, "Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy".

B - Be sure of your target, and what is beyond.  Always take the time to correctly identify your target, what is around it, and what could be behind it.  The projectile can go much further then what you are actually shooting at.

+1 - Keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.  Avoid "accidental discharge"!

Mechanical “Safety” Re-defined

Modern firearms manufactured today have some sort of mechanical safety mechanism.  Some are obvious, in that they require depressing a button or lever to turn the safety on or off.  Others are designed to be passive, and are hidden within the interworking of the firearm.  In either case, these features are a mechanical device.

Have you ever owned any mechanical device, such as a car, or a can opener, that was not able to fail?  Such failures do not necessarily reflect a manufacturing defect; rather failure most often results from simple warring of the device from use.

A mechanical safety found in a firearm is no different.  They are nothing more then a mechanical device that can fail without warning.   While it is a good idea to use this feature, it is not a good idea, to then stop following the basic firearm safety rules.

A mechanical safety is a device that can fail without warning.  Even when the firearms safety is turned on, you must continue to follow the rules of TAB +1!!

Note about "poppers"

Common in hunting dog training, "poppers" or "blanks" are used to simulate a gunshot.  The idea is to create the noise produced when a gun is fired, without a projectile leaving the barrel of the gun.  However, just because there is no projectile, it does not mean that you can allow yourself to become complacent, and stop following these basic rules.  In the process of creating the "bang" sound, you are also creating a considerable amount of pressure that if misdirected, can cause damage or injury.

Consider the case of actor Jon-Erik Hexum.  In 1984, Hexum was messing around on a movie set during delays in filming.  At some point he pointed a gun loaded with blanks at his own head, and pulled the trigger.  The amount of force that the cracking sound made sent fragments of his own skull into his brain.  Mr. Hexum was pronounced brain-dead 6 days later.

Always remember to follow the basic rules of safe firearms handling.  Always!

Video

The following video is provided by Arizona Game and Fish.

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