How to Safely Handle Firearms

Shooting and hunting can be extremely fun and are by far some of the safest sports you can become involved in because firearm safety is everyone's responsibility. In this guide, we will go over the basic gun safety rules and best practices for handguns, rifles, and shotguns to ensure you have a fun and safe experience with firearms.

Whether you intend to participate or observe, you need eye and ear protection. You can usually borrow or rent them at a shooting range, but investing in comfortable, high-quality eye and ear protection makes the overall experience much more enjoyable. Your eye protection should be ballistic-rated, and the ear protection can be ear muffs or earplugs. However, the best hearing protection for shooters is electronic hearing protection since it still allows you to hear safe background noises, such as people talking or range commands, without difficulty.

The basic rules of firearm safety work best as a system. Even if you fail to follow one, the others should still prevent an accident. Starting from when you remove a firearm from gun storage to when you're putting it away, following these safe gun handling rules will keep you and those around you safe.

Rule 1: Treat All Guns as if They Are Loaded

The only way to be 100% sure a firearm is unloaded is to check for yourself. Even after you have checked the chamber and magazine, no one else around you can tell if the gun is loaded or not. By treating every firearm as a loaded gun, you will inherently have more respect and intent for how you are handling the firearm. Safety devices, such as chamber flags, are also useful for confirming if a firearm is loaded or not.

Rule 2: Never Point the Muzzle at Anything That You Are Not Willing to Destroy

Even when you know for a fact that a firearm is unloaded, it is still very uncomfortable to have one pointed at you. In the worst-case scenario that a firearm is unknowingly loaded and discharged, you avoid doing damage by ensuring that the firearm is pointed in a safe direction at all times. For example, whenever you're not actively shooting at a target, either place the gun down with the barrel pointed outward, or if you're holding it, point it directly at the ground.

Rule 3: Keep Your Finger off the Trigger Until Your Sights Are on Target and You Are Ready to Shoot

Flinches or reflexive squeezes can happen. By keeping your finger away from the trigger, you drastically reduce the chance of an accidental discharge. While mechanical safeties are highly recommended and should be used, they can always fail, so do not count on them alone to prevent an accident from lazy habits. Be intentional with your finger placement and movement around the trigger guard.

Rule 4: Be Sure of Your Target and What Is Behind and Around It

You should always be able to clearly identify your intended target. Far too many accidents result from people shooting at a noise in the dark or what they thought was an animal in the woods. Similarly, whether you miss or if the bullet passes through the target, you can end up hitting things around or behind your target. You need to be able to clearly identify what is behind your target and what is within close proximity to it.

Other Firearm Safety Considerations

Beyond the four universal rules of firearm safety, there are some other factors to consider, including wearing essential protective gear, using the correct ammunition, and safely storing your firearm.

Wear Proper Eye and Ear Protection

Exposing your ears to noises over 85 decibels (dB) can result in hearing damage, and that risk increases in line with the decibels. A .22LR rifle is about the smallest caliber out there and produces at least 140 dB with standard loads. Now, imagine how much louder larger calibers are. Whether you're on the hunting grounds or at the gun range, you need reliable ear protection. Our selection includes a variety of over-the-ear shooting muffs and protective earbuds to safeguard your hearing. Either is a great option, and some folks choose to double up with both for extra caution.

While any option rated for the range will do, there are several models of Bluetooth and tactical ear protection that not only muffle loud noises but increase softer ambient sounds. This helps you maintain maximum situational awareness, ensuring you can hear commands from the Range Safety Officer (RSO) and nearby conversations. Ear protection is graded with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). For shooting, you want an NRR of at least 25, but a higher rating is also the safer bet, especially for indoor ranges where loud gunshots tend to echo and amplify.

For eye protection, you’ll need ballistic-rated shooting glasses or sunglasses, also called safety glasses or eyewear. ANSI Z87+ is the minimum ballistic rating to look for, as they are tested for high-impact resistance and much stronger than standard eyewear. Shooting eyewear offers a protective layer from spent brass, powders and primer particles, fragmentation, and ricochets.

For outdoor use, you can never go wrong with shooting sunglasses that offer UV protection and glare-reduction, ensuring you can clearly see your surroundings even in bright sunlight. Always keep your eye and hearing protection on until you are out of the vicinity of gun fire.

Only Use the Correct Ammunition for Your Firearm

Using the correct ammunition is critical for both safety and firearm performance. Firing the wrong cartridge can damage your firearm, cause serious injury, or even result in catastrophic firearm failure.

The proper caliber or cartridge designation is typically marked directly on the firearm. Check one or more of the following locations:

• The barrel, usually near the chamber
• The slide of a pistol
• The receiver of a rifle or shotgun
• The firearm owner's manual

Always verify the exact cartridge designation stamped on the firearm before loading ammunition. Never rely solely on memory, appearance, or assumptions.

Ammunition packaging is clearly labeled with the cartridge type it contains. Compare the cartridge designation on the ammo box to the marking on your firearm. Both must match exactly unless the firearm manufacturer specifically states otherwise.

Some cartridges have similar names but are not interchangeable. For example, cartridges with nearly identical dimensions or naming conventions may operate at different pressures or have different chamber requirements. Using an incorrect cartridge can lead to firearm damage or personal injury.

Store Firearms Securely When Not in Use

Proper firearm storage helps prevent unauthorized access, accidental injuries, theft, and damage to your firearms. Whether storing a firearm for a few hours or an extended period, always ensure it is secured appropriately.

Before storing a firearm:

• Remove the magazine, if applicable.
• Open the action and unload any ammunition from the chamber.
• Visually and physically inspect the chamber to confirm the firearm is unloaded.
• Verify that no ammunition remains in the firearm before placing it into storage.

Never assume a firearm is unloaded without checking.

Store firearms in a secure location that limits access to authorized users only. Common storage options include:

• Gun safes
• Locking gun cabinets
• Lockable storage cases
• Firearm locking devices, such as cable locks or trigger locks

Whenever possible, use a storage solution that prevents unauthorized handling while protecting the firearm from theft and environmental damage.

For an added layer of safety, store ammunition separately from firearms. Keeping ammunition in a different secure location can help reduce the risk of unauthorized use and accidental loading. Ensure ammunition is stored in a cool, dry location and kept out of reach of unauthorized individuals.

Firearms should never be left unattended in locations where unauthorized individuals may gain access. Keep your gun safe or lock box in a secure location. Biometric safes and keypad safes offer secure access methods, but if your safe can be unlocked with a key, RFID fob, or other physical item, ensure you keep it on your person at all times when the safe is unattended.

Safety First

By wearing protective gear, ensuring you use the correct ammo, properly storing your firearm, and following the 4 Primary Rules of Gun Safety, gun owners can have a fun and safe time hunting, range training, or participating in any other shooting activities. Grab all the safety equipment and gear you need at OpticsPlanet today and enjoy one of the most thrilling and rewarding hobbies possible.