The "safety" for any firearm is what's between the ears of anyone holding it. As GaryS. mentioned - the 4 rules must always be observed. I have firearms with external safeties and others that don't. But, just because I'm using my Ruger SR40C that has every safety known to man, or my M&P9C that's only safety is the trigger; I know they should be treated exactly the same.

As for the jailer that shot himself. Why did he have a pistol floating free in a bag? I don't know about anyone else, but In a bag I'd have a hard time knowing where it was pointed. I obviously can't know this, but I suspect the firearm either came free from a holster covering the trigger, or wasn't in one to start with. There is one certainty though, it wasn't treated like it was loaded. If I transport my pistols in a car they are either secured in my holster with me, or unloaded in a case/box.

Everything else aside, you'll still have to decide what you are most comfortable with and then practice good safety habits.

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