1.) Always check to make sure the weapon is unloaded when you pick it up. Regardless if someone else recently checked it. Remove the magazine(pistol), lock the slide back, check the inside chamber for a round and look down the empty magazine well. Familiarize yourself with the weapons manual to learn these terms. 2.) Never point the weapon at anything you dont wish to destroy. If you’re practising drawing and trigger squeeze make sure the weapon is unloaded. (See rule #1). Also, when you do shoot, be aware of what lays behind your target. You may miss, and rounds do often overpenetrate and go through and past your target 3.) ALWAYS, ALWAYS, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Keep your trigger finger extended(locked out) alongside the slide. Never have your finger in a position where if you are startled it can accidently curl up and pull that trigger. This is one of the most important rules. 4.) Keep these rules in mind and don’t be nervous when handling a weapon. That in and of itself can sometimes cause an accident. They usually only go off when you pull the trigger. Like any tool, when used properly the likely-hood of an accident is reduced. If you have any questions, please ask. That’s what this community is for.