Name the four firearms safety rules.

• A. Keep your finger on the trigger until ready to fire.
• B. Be sure of your target and what is beyond.
• C. Never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
• D. Treat every weapon as if loaded; never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot; keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire; be sure of your target and what is beyond.

Answer: (D)

These four rules establish safe handling by addressing weapon status, muzzle direction, trigger discipline, and situational awareness. Treat every weapon as if it’s loaded to counter complacency and assume it could fire at any moment. Never point at anything you don’t intend to shoot to maintain a safe direction of the muzzle at all times. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire to prevent accidental discharges from slips or jerks. Be sure of your target and what’s beyond to avoid hitting something unintended or causing unintended consequences beyond the target.

Any option that omits one of these elements leaves a safety gap—either ignoring how the weapon could discharge, where the muzzle is pointed, or what could be affected beyond the target. The combined four rules are the complete, practical framework for safe firearm handling.