There are four basic rules that you should always remember and follow to maintain a safe gun environment.
Now some instructors and trainers will burden you with eight, or ten, or twelve rules. But these four are all you really need to keep you and everyone around you safe.
1. ALWAYS Keep The Gun Pointed In A Safe Direction
This is the primary rule of gun safety. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. Determining the safe direction is not always easy, but it is always necessary. If you point the gun in a direction is there a possibility of someone getting hurt? If the answer is yes, just point it in a different direction, one that no one will ever get in front of the muzzle. On the range this is simple, down range towards the target area is the only safe direction. But in real life you need to stop and think which direction is safe.
2. ALWAYS Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Ready To ShootWhen holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger. This may take some additional practice since even the most experienced shooter will find their finger slipping inside the trigger guard at times.
3. ALWAYS Keep The Gun Unloaded Until Ready To UseIf you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does. It takes 3 independent items to make a firearm work: The firearm itself; Ammunition; and The shooter. Remove any one of these items and the firearm is safe. The situation is safe. Keeping your firearm unloaded is only part of the solution. You need to keep the ammunition separate from the firearm. Locked in a different room, part of the house, or container is best.
4. ALWAYS Know your target and what is beyond.Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potentials for mishap. Think first, Shoot second. Follow these rules and you will be the safest possible shooter.