What is the best way to ensure the firearm is safe before handling?

The best way to ensure that a firearm is safe before handling it is to check the magazine and chamber. This involves physically inspecting the firearm to confirm that it is unloaded. Checking both the magazine and the chamber ensures that no ammunition is left in the firearm, which is crucial for safety. This step is a standard practice in firearm handling and is often emphasized in training to prevent accidental discharges.

The action of assuming the firearm is empty is inherently risky, as it does not rely on a thorough verification process. Visible damage can give insight into the condition of the firearm but does not provide any information about whether it is loaded or not. Cleaning the firearm is an important maintenance task, but it should only be done once the firearm has been confirmed to be unloaded, as handling a potentially loaded firearm while cleaning poses a significant risk. Therefore, verifying the status of both the magazine and chamber is the most reliable method for ensuring safety before any handling of the firearm.