The most important safety on a weapon is.....

Manufacturers are constantly adding mechanical devices to make certain that weapons are as safe as possible. Unless there is a significant mechanical failure somewhere, it is nearly impossible for modern guns to go "bang" unless someone purposefully pulled the trigger. I for one am comfortable with saying there is no such thing as an "accidental discharge". Either it was mechanical failure, or a "negligent discharge".



So, with all the safeties available currently, which is the most important? The thumb safety, which blocks the trigger from moving? A 1911 style grip safety, which blocks hammer movement unless something is actively squeezing the grips? Firing pin blocks, disconnectors or one of the myriad other mechanisms? Well, no. None of these are the most important safety. In fact, it is one single safety that every gun ever made, regardless of who made it or when, has.



The safety is that gray squishy thing between your ears. If you engage your brain every time you pick up a gun, the other safeties are just there in case of accident. Keep your mind right, always be aware you are handling something that can serious impact or end the life of anyone around you, and everything will be all right.



Let's talk about the 4 rules. These rules weren't really invented by anyone, as they have always been true. But they were first put into the format we know them now by LtCol Jeff Cooper. Cooper was a USMC combat officer, and founded the American Pistol Institute in 1976. Between then and his peaceful death in 2006, he made some indelible contributions to the gun world. First, he was responsible for several innovative gun designs. But the three things that most impact every modern gun user are the Modern Technique (a pragmatic method of using weapons that emphasizes combat skills), the Cooper Color Code (a 4 color scheme representing a persons mindset and awareness), and the 4 Rules.



I'm not going to really elaborate on any f them, because this topic is covered in EVERY GOOD weapons class.



Rule 1: All Guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are



Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover (point at) anything you are not immediately willing to destroy. If anyone ever says, "don't worry, it's not loaded" refer them to Rule 1.



Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you have made the decision to shoot. This is the most important rule, as violating it causes about 70% of the negligent discharges



Rule 4: Identify your target, and know what is around and behind it. Never, ever, ever shoot at something you have not 100% identified.



Know them, learn them, live them. Print them out, make several copies and put one in every location where you have a weapon. Look at it every time you pick up that weapon. I see one of my copies probably 20 or 30 times a day, and I read them every time. You can not possibly pay too much attention to this, or repeat it too many times. Adhering to these simple 4 Rules, and engaging that big safety in your head every time to pick up a weapon, will make your life and everyone else's around you much safer.