“Never point the muzzle of your gun at anything that you do NOT intend to DESTROY.”
This rule means to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction so that even if it were to go off, it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel points at all times.
Every time I read this rule or say it to one of my classes it make me think, “What do I intend to destroy and what do I NOT intend to destroy?” Both thoughts should come to mind whenever you pick up a firearm or if you’re ever in a situation where a threat is endangering you or a loved one.
If you carry concealed, whether on your body in a holster or off your body in a briefcase or purse, you should be aware of your muzzle, where it is pointed, and take reasonable care that it isn’t covering something or someone. Of course, when you carry, you always make sure the safety is in use on the firearm. Correct? Now think about when you need to draw that firearm from its concealed location. If you’re in a vehicle and drawing from your hip, are you covering your leg or foot when you are presenting the firearm and disengaging the safety? If in a purse, when you reach in to extract your firearm, are you sure the arm you purse is over is clear of the muzzle? These are definitely items no one intends to destroy.
If there is a threat that you cannot retreat from, remember discretion is the better part of valor; you need to make sure that you don’t cover yourself, loved ones, or innocent bystanders with the muzzle when you remove your firearm to confront that threat. You should only intend to destroy (or stop) the threat at hand. Once that has happened, force no longer is a reasonable or appropriate response. This includes if the bad guy has filled his pants and is now running away. The old west adage of not shooting someone in the back still applies today.
The same thoughts and rules apply at home when you’re dry firing for practice. Assure yourself that when you dry fire, the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction, just in case you didn’t remember Rule #1. At the range, it is only acceptable to destroy or put holes in the paper target that you’ve hung on the traveler and sent down range. You intention shouldn’t be to destroy the bench in front of you, the people on the adjacent lanes, or the instructor standing next to you. So keep in mind when handling your firearm what, or who, you are intending, or are not intending to destroy, and act accordingly!
Muzzle control IS essential for the safe handling of firearms.