[ArrogantBustard]

Hmmm ... depends on what you mean by "safety". If you mean a latch which must, by a deliberate and distinct action, be disengaged by the shooter before firing (as, for example, on the Browning Hi-Power) ... in fact many modern pistols and rifles do not have one. For example, very few revolvers are so equipped, and Glock pistols all lack such devices. In these cases, "never trust the safety" is a moot rule, a nullity.

If by safety, you mean the myriad internal devices or trigger complications which are designed to disable the internal lockwork unless the trigger has been deliberately squeezed ... well yes, most pistols have such devices.

Still ... anyone who is "trusting the safety" is most likely violating one of the previous four rules. I believe that "don't trust the 'safety'" is one of the reasons for Rule 2, rather than a distinct fifth rule.

IMHO. YMMV.

[sausageseller]

Since this story involved a long gun the the rule " Don't trust the safety" is completely understandable.

in fact many modern pistols and rifles do not have one.

Many long gun owners know this not to be the case. Go to any firearms shop and virtually all the long guns have a mechanical "safety".

With our current litigation crazed society there is not a manufacturer of long guns that does not equip any of their firearms without one.