I took the NRA gun safety class as a youngster many years ago. One of the best rules I recall is, paraphased: `If someone hands you a pistol, rifle or shotgun—don’t take their word for it that it is unloaded.’
That rule may have saved my life. Good luck to you both.
This is why there were many situations in the military where it was required to fire into the barrel to ensure the chambers were empty.