3.11 Safeties

The job of the safety is to prevent a firearm from firing. When the safety is "on," the gun should not be able to fire. When the safety is "off," the gun is ready to fire. The safety is located in different places on different shotguns. Be sure you know the location of the safety on your shotgun! Use the safety at all times.

Safety Tip

Safeties are mechanical devices and they can fail! Make sure that your safety is in working order at all times. Use your safety...but remember that some guns have been fired accidentally with the safety on! You are the only one who can really keep a shotgun safe! Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times. Keep your fingers away from the trigger until you are ready to shoot. You are the best safety!

Typical Location of Safeties

The red outlines indicate where safeties are typically located on a shotgun.

Typical locations of safeties on firearms

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Washington Hunting
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Official hunting safety course for Washington hunters last modified: May 9, 2008
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