In firearms, a safety or safety catch is a mechanism used to help prevent the accidental discharge of a firearm, helping to ensure safer handling.
Close-up shot of a safety of an M16A2 rifle
Heckler & Koch VP70 pistol with a push-button safety (cross bolt trigger block) at the back of the trigger guard
Dan Wesson 1911-style Patriot pistol with a grip safety lever protruding at the back of the grip
SIG Sauer P226 controls and parts: 1. Ejection port, 2. Rear sight, 3. Hammer, 4. Takedown lever, 5. Decocker, 6. Slide stop, 7. Trigger, 8. Magazine release.
Gun safety is the study and practice of using, transporting, storing and disposing of firearms and ammunition, including the training of gun users, the design of weapons, and formal and informal regulation of gun production, distribution, and usage, for the purpose of avoiding unintentional injury, illness, or death. This includes mishaps like accidental discharge, negligent discharge, and firearm malfunctions, as well as secondary risks like hearing loss, lead poisoning from bullets, and pollution from other hazardous materials in propellants and cartridges. There were 47,000 unintentional firearm deaths worldwide in 2013.
A Glock 19 disarmed and secured for transport (or storage) with a cable lock through its receiver
Firearm handling safety poster
Gun safes for civilian firearms at a courthouse in Prague. It is forbidden to carry any weapons within a courthouse in the Czech Republic. Visitors can leave their firearms at gun safes upon entry, before undergoing airport-style security check.
Visitor's unloaded pistol and a pepper spray within a courthouse gun safe
