A firearm has the capability of taking your life or the life of someone else! Be extremely careful with your firearm. An accident can occur at anytime and is almost always the result of not following basic safety rules.

1. Never point a firearm at anyone, or in any direction other than a SAFE direction, i.e. downrange.

2. Treat all firearms as if they are always loaded.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard until your sights are aligned on the target and you are ready to fire.

4. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while loading or unloading the firearm.

5. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while pulling the firearm out of the holster or while returning it to the holster.

6. Be sure of your target and the backstop beyond.

7. Never give a firearm to or take a firearm from anyone unless the action is open and the magazine and/or chamber are free of any ammunition or brass.

8. Be sure that the ammunition you are using is factory loaded, is of the correct caliber for the firearm in which it is to be used, and that it is not damaged in any way.

9. Before firing, remove the magazine from the firearm, lock the action open, make sure the chamber is clear of any ammunition or brass, and check the barrel of the unloaded firearm for any possible obstructions.

10. Before firing any firearm that is unfamiliar to you, make sure that you understand exactly how it functions. A lack of familiarity with the firearm can result in serious accidents. Attend a certified training course on any firearm that you intend to use or with which you are not sufficiently familiar.

11. Always wear hearing and eye protection when using your firearm.

12. Keep all body parts, especially the hands and fingers, away from the muzzle to avoid injury or burns.

13. Be sure that no part of either hand touches or interferes with the slide. The slide is moved backwards by the recoil force of the pistol during firing and may cause serious injury.

14. Firearms should be stored separately from ammunition and beyond the reach of children, and/or any untrained individuals.

15. Avoid the use of any alcoholic beverages or drugs before and during the use of any firearm.

16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead, a substance known to be associated with birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

17. Most firearms will fire if the trigger is pulled, even if a loaded or empty magazine is being removed or inserted. A cartridge in the chamber will discharge when the trigger is pulled with the magazine inserted or removed from the firearm. Never leave a firearm unattended, even if the magazine is removed. Exercise extreme caution after removing the magazine and personally verify that the chamber is also empty before field stripping the firearm for cleaning or any other reason.