This section is intended to provide basic information that you should be aware of and practice. The information presented is intended to get firearms owners to think and act safely. You, the owner or handler, are responsible for your actions.
Basics of Firearms Safety
SAFE DIRECTION
What is a safe direction? That depends on the situation. It might be better stated as, what is the safest direction at the moment, things can change rapidly. The safest direction is the one where you have the best ability of predicting where the bullet will impact and that the impact will not result in damage or injury to anyone. You need to think about where will the bullet end up if the firearm discharges. If your outdoors, is up better than down? That depends on what is up and what is down. Up provides you little control over where the bullet will end up. If straight up the bullet will come reasonably straight down with the energy determined by its weight and the terminal velocity dictated by gravity. If down, will the bullet impact concrete (and splatter or glance), rocks (and change direction), or soft earth with a reasonable ability to predict it stopping point? You need to assess the situation and decide.
What if you are inside a building? What is up, down, and to the sides? What if your in the basement or ground floor? What if you are on the top floor? What if you live in a middle floor? Are there people to your sides? Remember, most wall, unless concrete or cement, are unlikely to stop a bullet unless one is lucky enough to hit a stud or other structure of a solid nature. If you dry fire your firearm consider a sand bucket or similar device that your sure will stop a bullet if one accidentally gets discharged.
Legal disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to tell someone what to do but is intended to provide the reader with things to think about when making decisions. All liability for actions taken as a result of reading this information is the sole responsibility of the reader.