The Four Rules of Firearm Safety

Observing the Four Rules of Firearm Safety With Your Muzzleloader

1. Always control the muzzle of your firearm.
   • Always point the muzzle of your firearm in a safe direction.
   • Never point at a person, or where a person might be found, such as a building, vehicle, or even the next room.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
3. Assume the gun is loaded.
   • Make it a habit to immediately check any gun you hold and make certain it isn’t loaded—even if you’ve been told it isn’t.
   • Checking a muzzleloader requires a different procedure, described in Chapter Two.
   • Don’t prime or cap a muzzleloader until you’re ready to fire.
4. Know your target and what is beyond it.
   • Be absolutely sure of your target before shooting.
   • Never shoot at a “skylined” animal.
   • Bullets from a muzzleloading rifle can travel long distances and fall with enough force to kill a person.

Other Shooting Precautions

• Only one hunter should aim at a target.
• Don't shoot unless you know what's beyond the target. Never shoot at a "skylined" animal.
• Don't shoot if someone is in your zone-of-fire.