alt="Text Box: (A feature designed to provide the “Novice” and “Old Hand” with helpful shooting and reloading information). What’s the Best First Rule of Safety? Submitted by Randall (Edit) All LRC members will handle firearms over most of their long lives. (And, being much-above-the-average types, they will live longer than most, we would modestly agree, right?) During gun-handling careers of 40, 50 or 60+ years there will be — must be — times when extra caution is needed. Perhaps we will be in a hurry, or be distracted, or be attending to other matters at the same time. Is there a good maxim that could pop into mind at such times? (Or is it unnecessary...because “nothing could go wrong… go wrong… go wrong” — as in that joke about the new, computerized airliner?) Just in case there is a bad day — an item is dropped and needs to be retrieved while we are holding a firearm; or a fence needs to be climbed while we are hunting; or one shooter gets out in front of other shooters; or something important comes on TV while we are gun cleaning — there are some sayings of interest that came up over the years. Perhaps they are worth sharing with those “others”, not the superb gun handler you are…. “Don’t point at anything you don’t intend to shoot.” (The old standby) “Don’t point at anything you don’t want to destroy.” (Better?) (J. Cooper?) “Keep your finger off the trigger until aiming at the target.” “Never play around with firearms.” (Sometime, someone, somewhere will need this. — Randall) “Go slow with firearms. Think what you are doing!” “Think: Where would this bullet go?” “Never touch a firearm if angry!” Posters seen recently: “Alcohol and gunpowder = tragedy. Don’t mix them.” (or, “Don’t mix alcohol and gunpowder!”) An old police sergeant’s favorite: “In your years of firearms handling, you will have an accidental discharge. Today might be that day!” " v:shapes="_x0000_s1051">