Remember guns are weapons: Weapon - 1. An instrument of offensive of defensive combat; something to fight with; anything used, or designed to be used, in destroying, defeating Weapons can be dangerous and can injure or kill. You take responsibility of your own personal risk and liability, risk to others, your own property, and the property of others when using a gun. Use guns with care.

Jeff Cooper's Four Rules Of Gun Safety

No mechanical device has a will of its own. A gun never "goes off" unless something causes it to do so. The aspect of safety is central to gunhandling. Memorize the four principles of firearm safety. Treat them with absolute seriousness. Burn them into your consciousness. Rule One All guns are always loaded. Rule Two Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Rule Three Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. Rule Four Be sure of your target. (Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot anything you have not positively identified.)