How to Tell if a Gun Safety Is On

Guns that are sold in the United States contain a safety mechanism that will prevent the gun from firing unless you remove the safety mechanism. This safety cannot be removed until the gun is loaded, cocked and ready to fire. It is important that you always keep the safety on so that if your gun ever falls into the wrong hands, it cannot be fired accidentally.

Semi-Automatic Rifle

There is a trigger safety mechanism on all automatic rifles sold in the United States. This mechanism is commonly found in the back or front of the trigger. There is a button on the left hand side of the trigger that will need to be depressed in order to engage the trigger safety mechanism.

Revolver

This type of gun has a cylinder safety mechanism that is located on the left hand side of the gun directly behind the trigger. You can engage this safety mechanism by sliding it forward which will turn on the safety mechanism that prevents your revolver from firing. To take off the safety you simply need to slide the safety backwards.

Semi-Automatic Pistol

This type of gun has a hammer safety mechanism that prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin which will engage the trigger mechanism. On most models, you can locate the safety mechanism on the left side right below the hammer. You can only disengage this safety mechanism when the gun is cocked and ready to fire to prevent accidents from occurring.

Tip: A good way to know if your firearm's safety is engaged is to look for a red band near the safety mechanism. If the red band is visible, then the gun's safety is not on. When the safety mechanism is engaged you should not see the red band.