Follow the Four: Firearm Safety Starts With Us

Follow the Four: Firearm Safety Starts With Us

This month, Avery Skipalis presents a post about GLOCK’s “Follow the Four” initiative, and what it means for responsible gun owners. Keep reading to find out more. 

Firearm safety is not a suggestion. It’s a responsibility. As a firearms instructor, veteran and advocate for empowerment through proper training, I’m proud to support GLOCK’s “Follow the Four” initiative. This campaign is not just about brand alignment; it’s about accountability, education and keeping our communities safe. Whether you’re a first-time gun owner or an experienced shooter, these four rules are not optional – they’re the standard. 

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I've written previously about this topic. One thing remains the same – GLOCK’s “Follow the Four” campaign is a clear, no-nonsense call to action. Know the four firearm safety rules, respect them and live by them whenever you handle a firearm. These principles aren’t new, they’re the gold standard of firearms training. But GLOCK is doubling down on their importance to normalize and reinforce safe practices at every level, from casual owners to certified professionals.

Follow the Four

Here are the four cardinal rules of firearm safety, which serve as the cornerstones of the initiative:

1. Treat Every Firearm as if It’s Loaded

This rule is about mindset. Whether you’re cleaning your firearm, showing it to a friend or retrieving it from your storage, you should always assume it’s loaded. It only takes one lapse in judgment to turn a moment into a tragedy. In my classes, I emphasize that safety starts in your mind before it ever reaches your hands.

2. Never Point a Firearm at Anything You’re Not Willing to Destroy

This rule is blunt for a reason. Always keep the muzzle of your firearm pointed in a safe direction. That means being aware of where the muzzle is at all times, not just when you’re on the range. Respect for life and property begins with understanding that firearms are tools.

3. Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger Until You’re Ready to Shoot

Your finger does not belong on the trigger until your sights are on the target and you’ve made the decision to fire the gun. GLOCK’s campaign reinforces this discipline with consistency and clarity, especially in training environments.

4. Be Sure of Your Target and What’s Beyond It

Every bullet has a destination. In real-world scenarios, whether you’re on the range or using your firearm defensively, knowing your backdrop could mean the difference between life and death. Understanding ballistics and sight picture is important, but so is situational awareness.

Skip’s Takeaway: 

GLOCK’s “Follow the Four” program is more than a catchy safety slogan. It’s a much-needed cultural reset. The initiative is backed by professional instructors, law enforcement agencies and civilian educators because we know the stakes. The campaign is supported with videos and downloadable infographics designed to reinforce the four rules across all experience levels. 

GLOCK’s approach is refreshingly direct in a world where content moves fast, and attention spans are short. They’re not trying to rebrand safety; they’re taking the time to remind us of what already works. And let’s be real: consistency saves lives. If these four rules are taught at home, reinforced in class, practiced on the range and lived out in daily carry scenarios, we drastically reduce the risk of accidents and negligence.

I’ve taken the pledge to “Follow the Four” and I would love for you to join me. Head over to glocksafety.com to take the pledge. The next time you pick up your firearm, stop and ask yourself: Am I following the four? If yes, proceed because you’re part of the solution.

Source: Follow the Four: Firearm Safety Starts With Us