What should you do when you remove a firearm from its storage location in your home?

When you remove a firearm from its storage location in your home, the most important step is to immediately point the muzzle in a safe direction. This action prioritizes safety, ensuring that if the firearm were to accidentally discharge, it would not endanger anyone nearby. Establishing a safe direction is a fundamental principle of firearm safety that helps to prevent tragic accidents.

While checking the magazine for bullets and unloading the firearm are also critical safety practices, the act of immediately pointing the muzzle safely is a proactive measure that should occur right away, regardless of whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded. Handling a firearm with caution from the very moment it is picked up is essential to maintaining safety in any situation.