The fourth rule of firearm safety is "keep your finger ___ until ready to shoot."

• A. inside the trigger guard
• B. outside the trigger guard
• C. on the trigger
• D. under the hammer

Answer: (B)

Finger discipline is the key. The rule means keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot, so you don’t apply any pressure on the trigger by accident while handling, loading, or moving the gun. When your aim is set and you’re prepared to fire, you place your finger inside the trigger guard and squeeze the trigger deliberately. Resting the finger outside the guard reduces the chance of an unintended discharge, while putting it on the trigger or inside the guard increases the risk of firing unintentionally. The idea of keeping the finger under the hammer isn’t the standard safety practice for this rule and doesn’t convey the correct, universally taught trigger control.