I’m a stickler for firearm safety. Whether you’re hunting in the field, honing your marksmanship at the shooting range, or simply staying prepared for a home defense scenario, you owe it to yourself and others to follow the rules of firearm safety.
Over the years, I’ve come across scenarios when it’s safest for everyone to keep an unloaded firearm. However, I also believe a gun should be more than just a paperweight if you’re forced to use it in a self-defense situation.
For simplicity’s sake, this article will only focus on when a firearm should be unloaded. I’ve encountered five everyday situations where I believe it is best to keep a firearm unloaded. But just to be sure, this is not an all-encompassing list.
Let’s get started!
When Crossing a Fence or Other Obstacles
Growing up in the country, I’ve crossed many fences. I’ve also learned from a young age that it’s best to unload a gun before crossing a fence.
Thankfully, I’ve never had an accidental discharge while crossing a fence – but I have had my gun slide off of the wire I leaned it against and fall to the ground, which is a big no-no.
Since that incident, this is how I cross a fence by myself:
- Unload gun
- Ensure safety is on
- Lay gun on ground, within arms reach of other side
- Climb over fence
- Grab gun
- Reload and resume the adventure
The reason I still unload my gun when I’m by myself is simple: when I lay my firearm down, I understand that grass or other debris can create obstructions in its trigger guard and cause a negligent discharge. I want to avoid that at all costs, so I unload my gun whenever crossing any fence.
It’s also a simple process if someone is with me:
- Unload guns
- Ensure safeties are on
- One person takes guns, keeping both pointed in a safe direction while the other person climbs the fence
- Hand guns to the person who just climbed the fence (while still practicing safe gun handling techniques)
- Other person crosses the fence
- Both individuals reload firearms and continue adventuring in tandem
It may be inconvenient to unload and reload your firearm whenever you encounter an obstacle. Even so, that minor inconvenience is well worth the considerable increase in safety.
When Traveling in a Vehicle
I’ve heard too many stories of hunters and firearm enthusiasts accidentally shooting a hole in their car door or floor because they failed to follow a basic rule of firearms safety: unload the gun before putting it in its case and driving down the road.
As a responsible gun owner, I follow all the gun safety rules and have a loaded firearm nearby or on my person just about everywhere I go. When heading to and from the field or gun range, I unload my shotguns and rifles before placing them in their cases to prevent negligent discharges while I’m driving.
These safety precautions kept me, my passenger, and law enforcement officers safe when I got pulled over for a busted taillight during an out-of-state hunting trip. Thankfully, they just wrote me a warning. We made it to our hunting spot in time!
One exception to this rule is when I’m carrying my semi-automatic handgun for self-defense. The difference is my loaded gun stays in the holster until I need it. Blessedly, I’ve never needed it. But if the time ever comes, I’ll be ready to protect myself and my loved ones with a loaded firearm.
When Storing the Firearm for a Long Time
I don’t care what type of firearm you own. If you plan to keep it in a lockbox or gun safe for an extended time, it should be unloaded. Ask any gunsmith, and they’ll tell you storing a loaded gun for a long time is not good for the firearm, even if you’re using proper ammunition.
I always unload my guns before placing them in my safe for a month or longer because I likely won’t remember whether I left them loaded or unloaded. I don’t want someone else taking it out of the safe and assuming it’s unloaded. Keeping firearms unloaded is also better for their springs and pins. Remember: a firearm is a mechanical device that can fail due to minute changes.
I also like to store my firearms with safety devices such as trigger locks and empty chamber indicators. The latter makes it blatantly obvious when a gun is unloaded.
Per usual, there is an exception to this rule: my home defense firearm remains loaded at all times. Common sense tells me that I won’t have time to load my gun with proper ammunition when a bad guy is kicking down my door, so I keep it loaded while maintaining safe firearms handling techniques.
Safely storing your ammo is another consideration you should make.
When You’re Handing the Gun to Someone
We briefly covered this when crossing a fence, so I won’t beat a dead horse. Instead, let’s focus on when you’re handing a firearm to someone for them to look at or when you’re at the range.
It doesn’t matter if you’re following all the gun safety rules: using ear protection and eye protection, shooting into safe backstops to prevent ricochets, etc. If you’re with someone who doesn’t know or practice gun safety, don’t endanger yourself or anyone else nearby by giving them a loaded gun. Instead, ensure that the firearm is unloaded by removing the magazine (if it has one) and clearing the chamber multiple times before handing it to the person.
When Cleaning Your Firearm
Maybe it was just drilled into my head at a young age because I loved cleaning guns with my dad and grandpa so much, but I always thought it was common sense to ensure a firearm is unloaded before cleaning it. However, I’ve heard about and seen too many careless people have negligent discharges when cleaning their guns because they overlooked this vital precaution.
Consider this a friendly reminder to always unload your gun before cleaning it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, the team at Ammo.com has gathered and answered some commonly asked questions about when a firearm should be unloaded.
Should a firearm be unloaded while hunting?
No, a firearm should not be unloaded while hunting; otherwise, you’ll miss your opportunity to harvest the animal and feed your family. On the other hand, gun safety should always be followed while hunting.
When should you check to ensure that a firearm is unloaded?
You should always check to ensure that a firearm is unloaded.
Should a firearm be unloaded when calling game?
No, a firearm does not have to be unloaded when calling game; however, it should be pointed in a safe direction with the safety on.
What is the sequence for unloading a gun?
The sequence for unloading a semi-automatic firearm is to remove the magazine (if it has one), open the action, eject the cartridges or shells (depending on the type of gun), and ensure the firearm is empty by physically and visually checking the chamber and magazine well.
Is it safe to unload a handgun every time we get home?
Yes, it is safe to unload a handgun every time you get home, as long as you’re following the rules of gun safety.
What are the rules of gun safety?
The rules of gun safety are to treat all guns as if they are loaded, keep the gun pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off of the trigger until you’re ready to fire, and know your target and what’s beyond it.
Why are the 4 Rules of Gun Safety Important?
The 4 rules of gun safety are important because they help keep everyone in the vicinity of the firearm safe.
Parting Shots
You now know when a firearm should be unloaded (and it’s not always when the anti-2A media says it should be unloaded).
As I mentioned, I’m a huge stickler for firearm safety, especially when introducing new shooters to this amazing lifestyle, and I also use my firearms for self-defense. This is why I believe there are times when it’s better to have a loaded firearm, and other times it’s better to have an unloaded gun.
Gun safety should always be at the top of mind for all shooters. Stay safe out there!
When Should A Firearm Be Unloaded originally appeared in The Resistance Library at Ammo.com.
1. At a clear and present threat
2. When a firearm is the designated driver
3.
4.
5.
Little tip about fences; you should never cross a fence. You should locate the gate and enter through that. Fences are not designed to be crossed. The dangers of crossing a fence are far too numerous to list, crossing one with a loaded weapon is a kind of accident waiting to happen.
True, if possible….But I fail to understand how a loaded gun, with no bullet chambered, can be caused to fire…Some grass or obstruction is not going to chamber a bullet.
Never mind the potential negligent discharge that may occur if the weapon is dropped or falls during the crossing – it’s likely that the bull in the field, which you intend to enter, has been eying you from half mile away, and as you’ve swung your leg over the top rail or wire and plopped down, just in time to lift your head up, but before you can say wtf, that massive bastard’s bulk will have met your forehead, and it’ll be lights out for you.
We had a great mechanic in Tacoma, WA, in the early-’90s … and on one of the service visits we paid to him we noticed he was walking with a serious gimp in his right leg.
Asked him about it … he and his buddy were hunting (as usual) in northeastern Washington and came to a fence to cross. He was carrying a loaded .454 Casul that somehow accidentally discharged as he was crossing the fence … removing most of the outer portion of his right leg all the way to the ankle. His wife forbade him from hunting anymore as that was hid 3d — THIRD — accident over the years of being wounded by his own weapons.
Do soldiers unload their rifles every time they hop a creek or a fence? No.
A man has to know his limitations. Handling loaded firearms has never been one of MY limitations.
If we’re gonna make it as a species, we’re gonna have to start living up to our ABILITIES and not down to our fears.
Thankyou Sam.
You should unload your firearm before cleaning it? Who woulda thunk?
Right? There are two ways to unload a firearm:
1. Deliberately
2. Accidentally
Both can be hilarious!
“If you plan to keep it in a lockbox or gun safe for an extended time, it should be unloaded.”
My basic handgun safety course instructor disagrees, and I follow his logic:
If you have a handgun at home as a means of self defense, it needs to be loaded at all times. Meaning round in the chamber.
Because if you need it, it has to go ‘bang’ when you pull the trigger with no ifs and buts (same logic as why Glocks have no safety.)
It took me 3 months to get used to the thought, but then that’s how I stored my Glock in my gun safe all the time.
(I wrote “stored”, because here in Russia you can only get a gun permit if you are a Russian citizen, after passing a psychological test.
– Will do so when I get there.)
Absolutely…If it’s for home security, at a minimum it should have a loaded magazine in place…
Unloaded to me means empty chamber with full magazine inserted and firing pin released.
Loaded means chambering a round.
But that’s not what it sounded like to me, my instructor considered it loaded with a magazine in place…..
A-yup. Nothin’ wrong with wearing both belt and suspenders. No such thing as too careful.
Every time some dope makes a etiquette faux pas, it bolsters the arguments of the anti-gun nuts. Take that one second to check it, instead of dying, or living with a lifetime of regret and/or years in prison and great expense, plus having your legal right to bear arms revoked – fairly.
I was agreeing, DVer.
not concerned with the official govt. stance.
…at a minimum keep a fully loaded mag secreted within arms length of a completely empty rifle or pistol so it cannot harm anyone else but you can put it into service with your eyes closed in an instant if necessary.
What a bullshit article !
-Alec Baldwin-
That took wit and pluck. Good on ya!
A weapon with a loaded mag and an empty chamber is the way to go…without a loaded magazine a gun is as useless as a limp dick. Ignore the limp dick author…
“When Should A Firearm Be Unloaded?”
When the last bullet has been fired…Duh
– Should I carry a semiautomatic pistol with a round in the chamber?
Massad Ayoob – only if you want to be fully prepared to survive…the defensive firearm is a reactive tool.
I’m something of a firearm novice but I always carry and keep my ACP fully loaded with one in the chamber along with an extra mag . Because the whole purpose of owning a self defense firearm is to have it ready to go when seconds count . I don’t have any kids around mostly , and when I do I lock it up obviously, unless I’m carrying it . It is quite the responsibility actually , I feel like I cant really leave it anywhere like at home if both the misses and I are not there .I forgot it a couple mornings ago on the way to work and imagined an unexpected visit by one of the misses friends and her small daughters who get into everything and so I felt I had to turn around and retrieved it . late for work, dope , oh well better safe than horribly sorry for being careless .
keep the pistol up on a high shelf under something where all the adults in the home know where it is and it cannot be seen but can be reached easily.
Racking the slide on an empty chamber only takes a second and provides immense safety if it is found by a child.
A small child is also unlikely to be strong enough to rack the slide on a large caliber handgun.
Even safer is a full mag next to the empty pistol on the shelf and it can still be loaded and ready in a few seconds with practice.
Practice in the dark and under stress.
Safer yet is the magazine within arms reach away hidden separately from the pistol so both are unlikely to be found at once by anyone else but can be accessed quickly in a back safe room you can retreat to.
Not a safe a safe room.
1911, 8+1. I always carry 8 in the mag, one in the chamber. Cocked, Locked and Loaded. The absolute best and safest way a 1911 should be carried.
6 when perp is still twitching
I would add.when you’re selling a firearm, it should be unloaded. Sometime around 1993, I was at the main shed at Renniger’s flea market and about four feet away was a table of long guns for sale. Some nitwit picked one up and pulled the trigger, and BOM it went. Luckily for that situation the barrel was pointed to the rafters and he, didn’t kill anyone, but he could have.
It should be noted here that if you frequently unload a firearm with a magazine where you also keep one in the chamber, rotate out the top round often. Constantly chambering the same round will force the bullet back into the casing to the point where it may not load correctly or fail to fire owing to having repeatedly hit the feed ramps jamming the bullet too tightly into the case.
Especially true of the cheaper target rounds. Good advice! I noticed that just lately myself. Those brand new .45 mags load stiff !
“After you’re dead” is the only correct answer IMHO.