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The Four Cardinal Rules of Gun Safety have been always in the mind of every shooter. Everytime you go to a shooting range, you will always be greeted with a sign that says:
FOUR CARDINAL RULES OF GUN SAFETY
1 - ALWAYS CONSIDER EVERY GUN AS LOADED
2- NEVER POINT THE MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU DON'T INTEND TO SHOOT
3- KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT
4 - BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT LIES BEYOND AND AROUND IT BEFORE YOU SHOOT
In every shooting range, you will also find these words scattered around the shooting range just to emphasize how important it is for every shooter. It is good to have us reminded at all times about gun safety and all that, but how do we internalize everything that is in the Four Cardinal Rules? Let me help break it down for you.
The Four Cardinal Rules are called "Cardinal" to emphasize its fundamental importance in gun safety. If Christianity has its Ten Commandments, the discipline of Gun Safety has Four. These rules are meant to be followed by anyone and everyone who handles firearms, whether you are a civillian, a lawman, or a sport shooter, the Four Cardinal Rules are for you to follow.
So what are the four cardinal rules?
RULE 1: ALWAYS CONSIDER EVERY GUN AS LOADED
Always consider every gun as loaded. Before we dive into what this rule actually means, let us define what a "loaded gun" actually is.
Definition of a Loaded Gun
By technicality, a gun is considered loaded when there is a bullet resting inside the chamber of the gun, regardless if the magazine is inside the gun or not. If you recall your Firearm Anatomy, the chamber is where every bullet sits before it is stricken at its behind with the firing pin. You can see the difference between a loaded and unloaded gun from the photos below.
Left Photo: A Chamber-Loaded Gun. Right Photo: A Gun with an empty chamber. Photo credits to: luckygunner.com. Photos obtained here.
You can see the difference when the chamber of the gun is exposed. Apart from that, when the slide is back on its place and the chamber is unexposed, you won't be able to tell if your gun is actually loaded or not. This is precisely why the first cardinal rule exists.
How do you apply this principle? Simple. Before picking up any firearm, Always check and clear your gun. How do you do that? Here are the steps simplified for you:
Unload your magazine and store it separately
Open the slide of the gun to expose the chamber and visually confirm if it is clear. If there is a bullet resting inside the chamber, by sliding back the slide, it will eject from the firearm automatically.
If the gun is clear, you may deactivate your hammer (Hammer Down) by pulling on the trigger. Just ensure when pulling on the trigger, the gun is pointed at a safe direction.
After pulling the trigger, holster your firearm or put it on the table, case, or wherever it is stored.
RULE 2: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE POINT AT ANYTHING YOU DON'T INTEND TO SHOOT
Long story short: point the gun at a safe direction.
The muzzle of the firearm is basically the mouth of the gun. In a gun's barrel, one end of it is the chamber, while the other is its muzzle. It is where the bullet head comes out of as it goes to its intended target. The rule is simple, just don't point it at anything you don't have any intentions shooting.
In this cardinal rule, there are some "subrules" and recommendations, as I may call it that you should follow:
The 180-rule. One hundred eighty degrees to the right and left of your muzzle (and consequently, you) is the allowable angle for where a gun should be pointed at when at the range. Consequently, you should ensure that within 180-degrees from your peripheral vision is
The 1-Meter Rule. This is derived from the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC)'s competition handbook, which I see should be followed by every shooter. IPSC Rule 10.5.6. states that pointing a gun uprange beyond a radius of one-meter is considered unsafe gun handling. To make this rule more simplified, it is at your best interest as a shooter to apply this even at the range. Never point the gun within a 1-meter radius around your feet (how much more at your feet).
When handing a gun to someone. When handing a gun to someone, make sure the muzzle is pointed downrange. Never point the gun at you when handing it to someone else.
Always do whatever it takes to point the gun at a safe direction.
RULE 3: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNLESS YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT
Keep your finger always off the trigger when handling your firearm in the shooting range, or at home, or elsewhere. The only time your finger should be on the trigger is during that second when you are to pull the trigger. It's that simple.
RULE 4: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT LIES BEYOND AND AROUND IT BEFORE YOU SHOOT
Long story short: Ensure the range is clear of any distractions or obstructions before you shoot.
Before shooting, ensure that there is no person, animal, prop, or anything that can endanger your safety downrange (towards the shooting range; uprange is the opposite of it). Before shooting, ensure to "clear the range".
A best practice for this? Don't pick up your gun unless the range is clear.
Another important rule in mind: always know where your bullet lands. Never indiscriminately pull your trigger unless you know where your target is and where you intend your bullet to land on. Blind shooting is as dangerous to you as it is to your surroundings.
Over time, we may grow easily complacent for us to follow the Four Cardinal Rules. But you have to remember, Gun Safety always begins with you. Disregarding, deliberately disobeying, and unfamiliarizing yourself with the Four Cardinal Rules can prove dangerous to you, the range officer(s), the staff at the range, and other bystanders. Take responsibility and be the most responsible shooter you can be.
See you at the range!
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