Expert-Backed Advice for Safe & Responsible Gun Handling

Best ways to use, store, and maintain firearms safely

Co-authored by Mark Schneider and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 Fact Checked

Before handling any type of firearm, there are several golden rules that every gun owner needs to follow at all times. See our list below for expert-backed guidance on how to handle a firearm safely and crucial rules to remember. We also include helpful tips from firearms instructors on how to safely maintain and childproof a gun.

Top 5 Firearm Safety Rules

Always point the muzzle of your gun in a safe direction.
Assume that the firearm is always loaded.
Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
Be aware of your target and what is beyond it.
Always avoid leaving a loaded gun unattended.

1

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

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If the firearm is pointed in a safe direction, it won’t harm anyone. This rule surpasses all other rules. Never point the firearm at anything you don’t intend to shoot at, even while you’re loading or unloading the gun. Consider where the bullet might ricochet or go through walls or objects. Doing this helps avoid accidental discharge and/or possible injury. Choose a direction where the safety of humans, animals, and inanimate objects is all taken into account.^{[1]
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- This also includes being sure that when you carry the firearm, you are able to fully control the muzzle direction and angle, especially if you are walking or otherwise traveling.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Mark Schneider is a firearms instructor based in Denver, Colorado. Throughout his career, he has amassed over 18 years of firearms instruction experience and 10 years of security experience.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a firearms instructor based in Southern New Jersey and a firearms educator with over 20 years of experience.

Bryan Villella is a lead firearms instructor and an NRA and Florida state certified “K” instructor who specializes in certified training courses where he prioritizes learning and safety.

2

Assume the firearm is always loaded.

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Always check the firearm to make sure it’s unloaded before handling or storing it. Keep in mind that the process to check the gun can vary, depending on whether it’s a handgun/pistol, rifle, or shotgun. Even when you've triple-checked and know it is unloaded, you should still never point a firearm at people, i.e., follow Rule 1 at all times.^{[2]
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3

Stay off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.

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This prevents any accidental discharges from a trigger pull. With a pistol, there is usually an area above the trigger where you can rest your trigger finger (often called the "index point"). When firing rifles or other guns, it’s best to remove your whole hand from the area where the trigger is. There are plenty of other safe ways to carry a gun, which include getting a holster that covers the trigger guard completely or wearing a shoulder holster safely.^{[3]
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- Firearms instructor Mark Schneider states that, “if you're going to use a shoulder holster, the firearm needs to be pointing down at the ground when sitting in the holster, and not pointing out behind your back where you can unintentionally point the loaded firearm at someone."^{[4]
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- Once you are on the line to fire a gun, do not put your finger on the trigger until you have pointed it at the target, notes firearms instructor Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
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  Expert Interview} This may be a difficult habit to break, as you may feel it is natural to have your finger on the trigger once you think you want to shoot.
- Check local carry laws to find out whether your state allows for concealed or open carry.

4

Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

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You are responsible for every round fired, no matter your intended target. In many cases, the bullet fired can go through the target and out the other side. Anything downrange is important to watch for. Bullets may strike an intended or unintended target and bounce, ricochet, or otherwise change direction. It’s impossible to hit reverse once you’ve fired a gun; knowing your target helps prevent unwanted accidents from occurring.^{[6]
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- Schneider recommends “being aware of your surroundings and your target background as well.”^{[7]
  X
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  Mark Schneider
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  Expert Interview} If shooting with others, be sure you do not stand behind anyone while firing. Anyone shooting should be side by side to prevent accidental shootings, as well as someone being startled by the muzzle blast from the firearm.

5

Don’t rely on your gun’s safety.

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The safety can fail, which may result in accidental discharge. Certain pistols don't have manual safeties at all. In this case, they often have safeties integrated into the trigger, back strap (or grip), or hammer. These types of guns are especially dangerous around inexperienced users. Through extensive training and safety techniques, it’s possible to overcome many of the dangers associated with firearms lacking a safety.^{[8]
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- To learn more about your gun’s safety or other aspects of your firearm, “seek out training from experienced professionals. Don't try to learn and practice all of these things on your own. You'll never get as much as you would out of the classroom experience,” notes Dr. Harmon.^{[9]
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6

Use the proper ammunition.

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Using improper ammunition can cause serious injury or death. Firearms are specifically designed for one specific caliber or gauge and possibly even a specific load of ammunition. Overly-reloaded or improperly hand-loaded cartridges or shells can be a danger and detriment to the firearm, the shooter, and others around. An improper detonation in a firearm that disables the firearm is known by many as a "kaBoom," or "kB!" for short.^{[10]
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- Manufactured ammunition is usually best. They have tested the loads and pressures many times with expensive machines. They invariably put out the most consistent loadings.
- In general, the more expensive ammunition is more consistent, but that is not always the case. Match-grade ammunition is specifically measured and engineered to be as consistent as possible. It is also usually the most expensive ammunition.
- Discard ammunition that has become wet or submerged in liquid safely.
- Avoid spraying oil or solvents on ammunition or loading them into an overly lubricated firearm.
- Don’t use damaged or low-quality ammunition that can risk further damaging your firearm or causing injury.

7

Wear ear and eye protection when shooting.

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Ear protection prevents ringing in the ears, while goggles protect your eyes. While the sound from small-caliber fire may not cause pain, it still has the potential to damage your hearing. Ringing in your ears after a shot is fired is a sign that your ears are exceeding their percussive limitations and possibly causing permanent damage. Even though you may be confident that there are no problems with your firearm, wearing eye goggles helps if your firearm heats up, experiences ammunition defects, or causes flying brass (spent cartridges) to hit you in the eye.^{[11]
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8

Confirm the barrel is clear before firing.

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Obstructions can increase the pressure and result in an explosion. When dirt, debris, or a lodged projectile is caught in the barrel, chamber, or action of the firearm, it can cause the round to not load properly or not load at all. When the firearm is discharged, the increased pressure can burst, causing serious injury or death to the shooter or others around.^{[12]
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- An action impediment can prevent the hammer of the firearm from hitting the round (or firing pin) or prevent it from drawing again to fire another round.
- Obstructions can also cause extraction and ejection problems, which drastically reduce the reliability of the gun.

9

Exercise caution if the gun doesn’t fire.

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This occurs when the trigger is pulled, and there is no "boom.” If this happens, make sure you have a round in the chamber. If you are absolutely sure you did not have one in the chamber, fix the problem. If you think there was a cartridge in the chamber, hold the gun pointed toward the target. You can try firing the gun again (if it is a double-action gun)—try this once or twice, and if nothing happens, keep the gun pointed at the target for about 20 seconds. If the round still does not fire, there may be a cartridge jam. In this case, carefully remove the magazine (if possible) and eject the round out of the chamber.^{[13]
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- Place the dud cartridge in a safe area (away from humans, valuables, or other ammunition).

10

Never shoot hard or flat surfaces.

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Metallic, hard, and/or flat objects can be dangerous to shoot at. These objects, including water, can cause the bullet to bounce or ricochet in unexpected and dangerous directions. They are even able to bounce back toward or near the shooter.^{[14]
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- Smaller, low-velocity bullets (such as the .22 LR) are very well known for their ability to ricochet. Due to their light weight and low velocity, things like wood, rocks, or even dirt can cause the bullet to ricochet.
- In general, bullets do not bounce (as a ball would) because of the extreme velocities (for even low velocity bullets) and because the soft lead bullets tend to follow relatively parallel paths to the plane of the object that has been hit.
- Where the shooter is standing is usually the safest place to be when a ricochet occurs. There are exceptions to this, such as solid core bullets (no lead core), which change the dynamics of the bullet; rubber can cause a bullet to bounce straight back, and hard objects that are angled can cause the bullet to wrap around back toward the shooter.

11

Never mix alcohol or drugs with firearms.

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It’s extremely important not to be impaired when shooting a firearm. Even the slightest bit of alcohol or drugs (even prescription drugs) can impair or alter your judgment about even common or simple things. This combination can be a lethal dose to you or others around you when involving firearms. Never, under any circumstances, use a firearm while not completely sober.^{[15]
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- It’s illegal to shoot (and sometimes to even carry) a firearm while impaired. Check your specific laws prohibiting the use of firearms while intoxicated, and whether they prohibit carrying loaded firearms in places that serve alcohol.

12

Only hand a gun to someone if it’s unloaded.

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Check the magazine and chamber before handing a gun to someone. Dr. Harmon states that when the firearm is not going to be used immediately, “keep it unloaded until ready to use.”^{[16]
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Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
Firearms Instructor

Expert Interview} If you are handed a firearm, you should check the magazine and chamber to make sure the gun is not loaded until you intend to fire.^{[17]
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- A good way to let yourself, and anyone around you, know the gun is unloaded is by locking the bolt, slide, or cylinder in the open position. This makes it so that, even if the trigger is pulled, no bullet will fire.
- Check the manual for the firearm. It will generally mention the safest way to carry or unload the firearm.
- When not using the firearm or while transporting it, you should always unload the firearm. In many locales, there are laws against carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle without the proper permits, even if just transporting it to and from a firing range or repair shop.

13

Never leave a loaded gun unattended.

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This rule applies whether you’re at the gun range or at home. If you can't be certain of its status or who may have access to it, it is best to unload the firearm, lock the firearm with a slide lock (when shooting a handgun), or lock the firearm in a hard case or a safe. For optimal safety, keep the ammunition in a separate area, locked up as well.^{[18]
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- Be sure to follow all state and local laws regarding firearm storage.
- Lead firearms instructor Bryan Villella suggests not to “store your firearm anywhere where it can accidentally go off. Most guns don't accidentally go off. They go off because somebody's messing with them. No gun just goes off on its own."^{[19]
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14

Childproof your firearm.

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Keep your gun safely out of the hands of any children in your home. Store all your firearms (unloaded) by locking them up using a child-resistant gun lock. Store your ammunition separately in a locked container for an added layer of protection. You may also decide to store your firearm in a gun safe or a lockbox. Make sure any keys to the safe or box, along with a safe combination, are kept hidden so they’re not accessible to children.^{[20]
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- Child gun safety also includes speaking to your children at an early age about firearms, and how they are dangerous and not a toy.
- Teach children the “Stop, Don't Touch, Leave the Area, Tell an Adult" rule so they know what to do if they encounter a firearm.
- Be sure to remove any firearms from your home, even temporarily, if a family member or child is at risk for harm to themselves or others.

15

Perform regular gun maintenance.

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Maintaining a firearm properly can prevent malfunctions. This is especially true for older firearms, which are more likely to misfire or jam. In general, the firearm should be cleaned after each use. Some firearm manufacturers recommend the wearing of eye protection before disassembling the firearm to prevent any eye injuries caused by parts being taken apart.^{[21]
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- Clean a firearm with a cloth or brush, and/or solvent; brush out the barrel with a barrel brush. Then, wipe again with a clean cloth to remove all solvent. Once done, wipe the externals down with a clean cloth to remove any excess oil.
- It’s also possible to clean the gun using a brush with solvent to avoid dismantling.
- Perform a very thorough cleaning before storing a firearm. The firearm should be taken out and oiled every 6-8 months, and before using it again.

16

Avoid modifying your firearm.

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A certified gunsmith with your firearm's manufacturer's certification would be the next best choice. If you do not have many gunsmiths in your area or none of them are certified by the manufacturer of your firearm, it is probably best not to have your firearm modified—never do any modifications yourself. Changes to your firearm that are done improperly could permanently damage the firearm, and can cause problems when fired.^{[22]
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Expert Interview

If you’d like to learn more about using firearms, check out our in-depth interview with Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon.

References

↑ https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org/
↑ https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org/
↑ https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/tips
↑ Mark Schneider. Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon. Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org/
↑ Mark Schneider. Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview
↑ https://www.nssf.org/safety/rules-firearms-safety/
↑ Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon. Firearms Instructor. Expert Interview

More References (13)

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Why is it dangerous to shoot upwards?

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Everything that comes up must come down. A bullet shot into the air will fall back to the ground and may hit someone, yourself included.

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Is there a kickback on a .44 long-barrel handgun?

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Yes, as there is with almost any handgun. With the gun mentioned, it is very noticeable. Try using both hands to hold the weapon - but be extremely careful of their placement.

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Is it possible for a gun to misfire?

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Yes, it is quite possible.

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Tips

Except for firearms carried for defensive purposes, carry only empty, taken-down, open-action, or locked firearms into your automobile, camp, or home.

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Know how to use the safety on the firearm (if available).

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In many states, discharging a firearm at someone to defend property is not a legal defense. Know the applicable laws.

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Warnings

Read the manual on the specific firearm you are going to use before ever picking it up.

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Be sure to follow all state and local laws while shooting. Note that many laws on firearms change drastically from state to state, and can even change between counties or even cities.

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Firearms can be very dangerous and even lethal. They should only be used by experienced firearm users or under the direct supervision of an expert firearm instructor.

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NEVER look down the barrel of a firearm, loaded or not.

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Wash your hands thoroughly after shooting a firearm. Power residue, lubricant, and even lead can attach themselves to your hand, and all these are potentially harmful when ingested.

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Do not attempt to carry a firearm in the waistband of your pants or your pocket. A proper holster keeps the firearm in place and keeps objects out of the trigger guard.

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