Name three basic safety rules for handling weapons on the range.

• A. Keep a loaded chamber at all times; point at targets only; shout commands loudly; store weapons near heat.
• B. Trigger discipline only; never inspect weapons; use live ammunition for practice; rest on shoulder.
• C. Treat all weapons as loaded; keep finger off trigger until on target; never point at anything you are not willing to destroy; ensure muzzle control.
• D. Wear eye protection; inspect weapons while loaded; ignore muzzle direction; keep trigger finger ready.

Answer: (C)

The main idea behind safe range handling is to use three core practices that prevent accidental discharge and injuries: treat every weapon as loaded, keep your finger off the trigger until you’re on target, and maintain control of the muzzle at all times. Treating every weapon as loaded means you don’t assume it’s safe to handle; you check and handle it with the same caution you’d use if it could fire at any moment. Keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re on target creates trigger discipline, so movement or adjustments don’t cause an accidental shot. Maintaining muzzle control means the gun’s muzzle stays pointed in a safe direction and never at people or things you aren’t willing to destroy. Together, these habits form a reliable safety routine that reduces the risk of unintended discharge on the range. Other options include unsafe practices like keeping a weapon loaded at all times, ignoring muzzle direction, or handling weapons in ways that could cause an accidental discharge, which is why they’re not appropriate.