Ask The Michigan Firearm Instructor: Should My Gun Have A Safety?

Q: Rick, I am looking to purchase a new carry firearm. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a safety?

A. The sole advantage of a safety is to prevent the firearm from being intentionally discharged while it – the safety – is engaged. If you insist on buying a firearm with a safety, you must first understand that it is a mechanical device which could – in theory – fail to operate at some point in time. Thus, you might be lulled into thinking that a gun with its safety engaged will not discharge when it might.

Accordingly, you should always treat any firearm in your possession as if it is loaded AND that there is no safety present on the gun:
– Always keep it pointed in a safe direction.
– Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
– Always keep “out of use” firearms unloaded, separated, and locked.

Some people have told me, in the past, that they desire a safety to keep themselves from having a negligent discharge when drawing. My retort is that one should be comfortable with producing their firearm without touching the trigger. If one does not have that …Read the Rest

Source:: Legally Armed in Detroit