--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are several ‘givens’ in firearms…" description: "\"“There are several ‘givens’ in firearms handling,” Andrew explained. “A gun is never pointed at anything other than what one wishes to shoot. When two ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/joan-wester-anderson-29916_loaded-gun_there-are-several-givens-in-firearms-han_1671845.jpg" --- # There are several ‘givens’ in firearms handling,” Andrew… ![“There are several ‘givens’ in firearms handling,” Andrew explained. “A gun is never pointed at anything other than what one wishes to shoot. When two hunters walk side by side, with guns cradled, each points his muzzle in the direction away from the other. When one is walking with a loaded gun…” quote by Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/joan-wester-anderson-29916_loaded-gun_there-are-several-givens-in-firearms-han_1671845.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/joan-wester-anderson-29916_loaded-gun_there-are-several-givens-in-firearms-han_1671845.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f45/joan-wester-anderson-29916_loaded-gun_there-are-several-givens-in-firearms-han_1671845.jpg) > ““There are several ‘givens’ in firearms handling,” Andrew explained. “A gun is never pointed at anything other than what one wishes to shoot. When two hunters walk side by side, with guns cradled, each points his muzzle in the direction away from the other. When one is walking with a loaded gun, the safety is engaged to prevent accidental discharge. One does not walk with a finger on the gun’s trigger. When hunting or otherwise carrying firearms, one must be constantly alert to positions and movements of others in relation to oneself.”” [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote outlines fundamental safety principles for handling firearms, emphasizing awareness, proper muzzle direction, safety engagement, and trigger discipline to prevent accidents. **In simple terms:** Firearms must be handled safely with awareness and proper procedures. Key Takeaway Always follow basic safety rules when handling guns. Themes safety responsibility awareness Mood cautious serious Type instructional practical When to use this quote - hunting - target shooting - self‑defense - training sessions Key Concepts Firearm handling risk management Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure you stay alert in high‑pressure situations? - What habits reinforce safe handling? A Different Perspective Safety rules can be ignored under stress, leading to accidents. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Carrying Firearms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carrying-firearms-868649/) [Firearms Handling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firearms-handling-868647/) [Gun Pointed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-pointed-868650/) [Gun safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-safety/) [Hunting Carrying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunting-carrying-868648/) [Loaded gun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loaded-gun/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) ## Related quotes > [Western civilization is a loaded gun pointed at the head of this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/western-civilization-is-a-loaded-gun-pointed-at-the-head-of-this/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [“in various forms, these four basic safety rules are essential for safe firearms handling. Most any firearm’s accident is attributable to not meeting one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-behr/in-various-forms-these-four-basic-safety-rules-are-essential-for-safe/) [Gary Behr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-behr/) > [“I laughed. I laughed while his lips hovered over my mouth and the gun pressed into his body. It was the laughter, not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-laughed-i-laughed-while-his-lips-hovered-over-my-mouth-and-the-gun/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I personally don't like guns at all, so pointing a gun at someone or having a gun pointed at me makes me feel very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-morley/i-personally-don-t-like-guns-at-all-so-pointing-a-gun-at-someone-or/) [Bob Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-morley/) > [The worst thing that can happen to you in travel is having a gun pointed at you by a very young person. That's happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-to-you-in-travel-is-having-a-gun/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [“But when he crested the hill, the sight that greeted him made him pause. At the bottom of the hill stood Celia in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/but-when-he-crested-the-hill-the-sight-that-greeted-him-made-him/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [I grew up with a glue gun pointed at my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-stewart/i-grew-up-with-a-glue-gun-pointed-at-my-head/) [Alexis Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-stewart/) > [“Luisa was on her knees on the bed, naked, my 9mm in her hands and aimed right at me. I automatically had my gun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/luisa-was-on-her-knees-on-the-bed-naked-my-9mm-in-her-hands-and-aimed/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [“He picked up her gun. Pointed it at her. Pulled the trigger. Isabet jumped like a startled lizard. He handed the gun back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kameron-hurley/he-picked-up-her-gun-pointed-it-at-her-pulled-the-trigger-isabet/) [Kameron Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kameron-hurley/) > [If I didn't do something perfectly, I had to do it again... I grew up with a glue gun pointed at my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-stewart/if-i-didn-t-do-something-perfectly-i-had-to-do-it-again-i-grew-up/) [Alexis Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-stewart/) > [“So now, when three Landers, members of a street gang, approach me in the back alley behind the Library, knives drawn, the silver barrel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-cummings/so-now-when-three-landers-members-of-a-street-gang-approach-me-in-the/) [Lindsay Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-cummings/) > [“Delay is a gun pointed at the temple of confidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusten-burroughs/delay-is-a-gun-pointed-at-the-temple-of-confidence/) [Augusten Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusten-burroughs/) > [If you and i, were in a life or death situation. The gun were to be pointed at you. I already know what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-thomas/if-you-and-i-were-in-a-life-or-death-situation-the-gun-were-to-be/) [Iris Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-thomas/) > [“The sight of Elgie flat on the slimy dock, groaning "My wife, my wife", with a gun pointed at him, and me jumping up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/the-sight-of-elgie-flat-on-the-slimy-dock-groaning-my-wife-my-wife/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [This was in San Francisco, in 1987. A bunch of kids were camped out in the Riviera Hotel - boy hustlers and their sugar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-goldberg/this-was-in-san-francisco-in-1987-a-bunch-of-kids-were-camped-out-in/) [Jim Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-goldberg/) ## More by Joan Wester Anderson > [“Aniołowie często szepcą nam do ucha, ale dopóki nie nauczymy się słuchać tego szeptu, ryzykować i podejmować działania, nic się nie zmieni w życiu…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/anio-owie-cz-sto-szepc-nam-do-ucha-ale-dop-ki-nie-nauczymy-si-s-ucha/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Try this experiment. If you’re looking to have a better relationship with God’s angels, ask God to help you be aware of their presence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/try-this-experiment-if-you-re-looking-to-have-a-better-relationship/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“My investigations revealed that, whatever their beginnings, angels have three basic purposes: to worship God, to serve as heralds between God and his people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/my-investigations-revealed-that-whatever-their-beginnings-angels-have/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“pray to angels”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/pray-to-angels/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Before I started this journey, I depended on myself for almost everything. Now I ask Dominic and the other angels to take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/before-i-started-this-journey-i-depended-on-myself-for-almost/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Padre Pio believed that people could send their angels to others to help or intercede.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/padre-pio-believed-that-people-could-send-their-angels-to-others-to/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“I will never forget your kindness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/i-will-never-forget-your-kindness/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Interpretations varied as time passed. Early Hebrews contended that the universe was a hierarchy, with God at the top and other entities radiating downward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/interpretations-varied-as-time-passed-early-hebrews-contended-that/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Gallup poll suggesting that more than 60 percent of Americans believe wholeheartedly in angels. Although scholars differ about specifics, their existence is accepted by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/gallup-poll-suggesting-that-more-than-60-percent-of-americans-believe/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“angels into nine choirs, listed here in descending order, along with their main duties: Seraphim and Cherubim, who love and worship God; Thrones and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/angels-into-nine-choirs-listed-here-in-descending-order-along-with/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) > [“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. —Hebrews 13:2”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-wester-anderson/do-not-forget-to-entertain-strangers-for-by-so-doing-some-people-have/) [Joan Wester Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) [Explore all 12 Joan Wester Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-wester-anderson/) ## More Gun safety quotes > [I am calling for common sense gun safety measures to protect people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-calling-for-common-sense-gun-safety-measures-to-protect-people/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“When President Obama addressed the country on January 5, 2016, about his latest push for gun control, Bloomberg-funded research provided the “facts” that Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/when-president-obama-addressed-the-country-on-january-5-2016-about/) [John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-lott-jr/) > [The ruling class doesn't care about public safety. 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The federal government could do something about this; they could show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-nutter/we-need-sensible-gun-safety-measures-the-federal-government-could-do/) [Michael Nutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-nutter/) > [The fight for sanity in our gun safety laws is not by any means over. In many ways it's just beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-d-barnes/the-fight-for-sanity-in-our-gun-safety-laws-is-not-by-any-means-over/) [Michael D. Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-d-barnes/) > [It can be frustrating that, despite widespread support for common sense gun safety measures, Congress is moving at a snail's pace. But remember that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murphy/it-can-be-frustrating-that-despite-widespread-support-for-common/) [Chris Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murphy/) > [Part of my focus on what we need to do around smart gun safety laws is recognize we have to have more enforcement around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/part-of-my-focus-on-what-we-need-to-do-around-smart-gun-safety-laws/) [Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/) > [The Second Amendment is very important, but we have to have commonsense gun safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-k-ross/the-second-amendment-is-very-important-but-we-have-to-have/) [Deborah K. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-k-ross/) > [When I was growing up the National Rifle Association was gun safety and hunting organization. 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I'm a bad guy; I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-gravano/gun-control-it-s-the-best-thing-you-can-do-for-crooks-and-gangsters-i/) [Sammy Gravano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-gravano/) [Browse all 42 Gun safety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-safety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“There are several ‘givens’ in firearms handling,” Andrew explained. “A gun is never pointed at anything other than what one wishes to shoot. When two hunters walk side by side, with guns cradled, each points his muzzle in the direction away from the other. When one is walking with a loaded gun, the safety is engaged to prevent accidental discharge. One does not walk with a finger on the gun’s trigger. 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