These are the four words that run through my blood every time I handle a firearm. These are the four rules that any shooter must know and follow. As simple as it sounds, sometimes it’s not the case and all it takes to remind us sometime is for an accident to happen. Suddenly your world is turned upside down.

We all know airsoft guns are essentially toys. Toys that are replicated to look, feel, and behave like real firearms. Most of the time we treat our airsoft guns as if they are toys with our fingers inside the trigger guard resting on the trigger, flagging our buddies as we turn around, and even sometimes pointing it at our own heads like a genius.  Trust me, I know. I’ve seen your Facebook pictures, forum loadout posts, and out in the staging area of an airsoft field.

If you are the few too many, this is not to single you out or make you look like a bad airsoft player. It’s just a kind reminder that these toys may cause serious injury if improperly handled. Accidentally shooting someone’s eye out is not a pretty sight to see. Our brains build off of repetition. How we handle these toy guns is important because I can almost guarantee that most of you, especially the younger airsofters out there, would want to shoot a real firearm at one point in your lives.

If you don’t know the four universal rules and/or have no idea what the hell I am talking about, this is for you. The rest of you, a reminder to be safe and have fun!

Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

Never point your weapon at anything you do not wish to destroy.

Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.

Keep your weapon on safe until ready to fire.

Know of your target and what is beyond it. (extra credit!)

About the Author:

Eddie Ramos works for Evike.com as part of the Marketing Team.