Rastoff
US Veteran
Me too. That's why I say it that way.I especially love the addendum to rule #4, about someone walking between you and the target. Even though I practice it, I'm going to start pointing it out when officiating at the range events.
I'm also an NRA R.S.O. and a Certified Pistol and Shotgun instructor. The NRA teaches:
1. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Those are great, but can be a little ambiguous.
What is a safe direction? Up? Down? Down range?
When are you ready to shoot? If I'm at the ready, am I ready to shoot?
When is the gun ready to use? I was at the Trap range and saw a guy at the trunk of his car getting his shotgun out. He was thumbing rounds into the magazine. When I asked him about it, he said that he was "ready to shoot" so he was loading his gun. It never dawned on him, until I said something, to wait until he was at the line to load.
So, I teach the 3 NRA rules in my class, but I also add the 4 rules I stated above. I find they are less ambiguous. Are they perfect? No. But they are good.