What is one of the primary rules of firearm safety?

Pointing the muzzle in a safe direction is a fundamental rule of firearm safety because it helps prevent accidental discharges from causing harm to people or property. Keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction ensures that if a firearm were to discharge, the bullet will not hit anyone or anything that could result in injury or damage. This practice is vital in all circumstances, whether you're handling, transporting, or storing a firearm.

While keeping the safety on, ensuring firearms are unloaded when carried, and aiming at a target are also important safety practices, they do not carry the same level of critical importance as pointing the muzzle in a safe direction. The primary rule emphasizes the immediate concern for the safety of everyone in the vicinity, making it essential for responsible firearm handling.