The "4 Rules".....can anyone add a 5th or more?

[ShooterInPA1]

Rules which 100% of the time, should be followed?

The 4 rules are of course:
1) Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
2) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not prepared to destroy.
3) Keep your finger off the target until you are ready to shoot.
4) Always know the terminal endpoint of your shots.

I would add a 5th:
5) Never attempt to catch a dropped handgun.

I was reading a forum thread on another site (1911 forums), and a member dropped his 1911 in Condition Zero. Because of the grip safety, the gun would never go off even if the trigger was pulled. But instead of allowing it to drop, he caught it, squeezing the grip safety, and barely touching the trigger, and when he caught it, the gun was pointed at himself. Luckily for him, there was not quite enough pressure on the trigger.

Curious what other rule people have to add from their experience or from what they have heard or seen.

[biggs88]

Rules which 100% of the time, should be followed?

The 4 rules are of course:
1) Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
2) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not prepared to destroy.
3) Keep your finger off the target until you are ready to shoot.
4) Always know the terminal endpoint of your shots.

I would add a 5th:
5) Never attempt to catch a dropped handgun.

I was reading a forum thread on another site (1911 forums), and a member dropped his 1911 in Condition Zero. Because of the grip safety, the gun would never go off even if the trigger was pulled. But instead of allowing it to drop, he caught it, squeezing the grip safety, and barely touching the trigger, and when he caught it, the gun was pointed at himself. Luckily for him, there was not quite enough pressure on the trigger.

Curious what other rule people have to add from their experience or from what they have heard or seen.

Rule Six: Make sure whatever gun you have is a Glock. . .

Na in all seriousness, I would say the last rule should allways be carry your gun.

[Atomic Dog]

I dunno, I think the four are fine. Actually, the first one never made much sense to me. If you follow the other three you are more than fine.

[kbcobra26]

Common sense should be #1

[theo]

Don't piss into the wind.


.

[MrBi11]

Common sense should be #1

When you use the phrase "Common sense" it usually isn't.

[Metz]

4 rules as of whom? NRA has 3 rules nowadays, hunter ed has 4 rules, but they are not the same as in the OP. And there are plenty of experts and "expert" with rules of their own.

[XACEX]

#7) DON'T TALK TO POLICE!!!!!

[bac0nfat]

3) Keep your finger off the target until you are ready to shoot.
.

Really? My targets are usually too far away to reach with my finger

But seriously, I'd like to add these rules:

Have a gun

Never carry a gun without a proper holster

[thefirstndsecond]

The 4 rules are of course:
1) Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
2) Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not prepared to destroy.
3) Keep your finger off the target until you are ready to shoot.
4) Always know the terminal endpoint of your shots.

I would add a 5th:
5) Never attempt to catch a dropped handgun.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

Number 2 I have never heard put in that manner. When I hunt, I do not destroy anything.

I like the dropped handgun safety issue. I have heard this before.
Always know your target and what is beyond.

1) Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
2) Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
3) Be sure of your target and what is in front of and beyond your target.
4) Unload firearms when not in use.
5) Handle firearms and ammunition carefully.
6) Know your safe zone-of-fire and stick to it.
7) Control your emotions when it comes to safety.
8) Wear hearing and eye protection.
9) Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms.
10) Be aware of additional circumstances which require added caution or safety awareness.

http://www.handgunclub.com/10rules.cfm

1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Never point the gun at anyone or anything you don't want damaged or destroyed if the gun goes off. The corollary to this is never entirely trust a safety device to prevent firing.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot!
This is the most important rule next to Rule #1. If you don't touch the trigger, the gun is unlikely to fire.
3. Consider every firearm you handle as being loaded, even if you know it is not. Avoid all horseplay with any firearm.
If you develop the habit of thinking of every gun you are handling as being loaded, you won't violate Rule #1 or Rule #2. Don't "play" with a gun; treat its potential for injury or damage with respect.
4. Be sure of your target before you pull the trigger and know what is beyond your target.
Whether it's a paper target or an intruder in the dark know what your target is before you fire. If you miss, what is beyond your target that you might hit? A street, home, daycare center?
5. Never shoot at a flat, hard surface or water.
Bullets can ricochet and may take off in odd directions.
6. Stored firearms should be unloaded. As a general rule, store guns unloaded to prevent any chance of accidental discharge when removing them from their storage location. When storing any loaded firearm for defensive use, be sure you aren't forced to violate rule #1 when removing the firearm.
7. Always make sure the firearm is unloaded and keep the action open except when actually hunting or preparing to shoot.
When in the field or at the range, unload your gun and leave the action open so others can see it is not ready to fire. In active hunting or shooting you can load and close your gun.
8. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstruction and that you have the proper ammunition for the firearm you are carrying.
Ensure a forgotten cleaning brush, dirt or other foreign matter doesn't block the barrel. Many cartridges look similar at a glance, be sure you are using the right ammunition.
9. Never climb a fence, tree, or jump a ditch with a loaded firearm.
If you stumble, slip or fall your gun may discharge. Unload the gun and open the action first.
10. Avoid alcohol and other drugs before or during shooting.
This should be easily understood. You need a clear head to make proper decisions when handing firearms.


I guess the point is the wording changes according to your audience. I have found different versions across the board. Hunting specific orgs. say it differently than handgun owners orgs. etc..