The shooting community generally accepts the following rules of gun safety:

1: All firearms are always loaded and should be treated as such.

2: Do not point any firearm at anything you do not wish to destroy.

3: Keep you finger out of the trigger guard until you have positively identified what you are going to shoot.

4: Know where your bullet is going to stop, know what is beyond your target.

Some explanation.

1: I don't care if you know beyond the shadow of the doubt that a gun is unloaded, ALWAYS check it anyway.

2: I don't care if you know beyond the shadow of the doubt that a gun is unloaded, NEVER point it at anything, or for Gods sake anybody. Guns should only be pointed down range, or at the floor!

3: Some triggers are touchier than others, with that said keep you finger off the trigger until the decision has been made to fire. In a defensive situation with adrenaline flowing this is critical.

4: Bullets can go through walls, ceilings, and people after being fired at their intended target. Keep this in mind.

Short of a mechanical failure, there is NO SUCH THING as an accidental discharge!

It is referred to as a Negligent Discharge, usually due to one of the Four Commandments being violated.

Owning a firearm is a responsibility. The legal owner of that firearm is responsible for any damage that occurs from the improper use of that firearm. There is one rule that is not on the list that should be. Know where your firearm is at all times. Now if a burglar breaks into a secure location in your home and steals a firearm, then fine report it stolen. However if a child or teen finds an unsecured and/or loaded firearm in the home and seriously hurts or kills someone including themselves, this is not an accidental gun death. This is a crime of negligence.