What is a critical aspect of firearm safety when on the shooting range?

Always pointing the firearm downrange is a critical aspect of firearm safety when on the shooting range because it significantly reduces the risk of accidental injury to yourself or others. The primary goal is to ensure that if a weapon were to discharge for any reason, the bullet would travel in a safe direction—namely, away from people and structures. This practice is foundational in gun safety and helps maintain a controlled and secure shooting environment.

In contrast, wearing sunglasses may enhance visibility and reduce glare but does not directly impact the safety of handling a firearm. Making adjustments to sights while shooting can be dangerous, as it involves altering the equipment while the firearm is in use, potentially leading to an accidental discharge. Keeping firearms loaded at all times contradicts safety protocols; firearms should be unloaded unless in use at the range, to minimize the risk of accidental discharges.