You are unloading your firearm. You start by pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. What is the NEXT step you should take?

• A. Put the safety on.
• B. Open the action and remove ammunition.
• C. Unload the magazine before the chamber.
• D. Place the firearm on safe and holster it.

Answer: (A)

Engaging the safety is the immediate protection you add as you begin to clear the firearm. After you’ve pointed the muzzle in a safe direction, turning the safety on reduces the chance of an accidental discharge while you handle or manipulate the firearm to remove ammo or open the action. With the safety engaged, you can then proceed to open the action and remove the ammunition, and finally visually and physically verify that the chamber is empty before storing. If a firearm doesn’t have a safety, you still keep the muzzle pointed safely and clear it with careful, deliberate steps, but the safety adds a crucial extra layer of protection in handling.