What is the fourth gun handling rule?

• A. Always be certain of the target and beyond
• B. Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy
• C. The trigger must be pulled to operate the weapon
• D. The weapon must be unloaded before proceeding

Answer: (A)

Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it. This rule means you must know exactly what you’re aiming at and also what is behind and around it, because a bullet can travel past the target, through, or miss in ways that could harm something or someone unintended. Before firing, evaluate the backstop and the area beyond the target, ensuring there’s a safe path and nothing you’re unwilling to destroy in line with your shot. This is all about managing what could be hit if the projectile goes off course or penetrates the target.

The other statements reflect other important safety practices: one emphasizes keeping the muzzle pointed only at things you’re willing to destroy, another refers to trigger discipline, and another talks about unloading before handling. While all are valuable, the one about knowing the target and what lies beyond is the specific fourth rule.