What should you always do before loading your firearm?

Before loading your firearm, it is essential to ensure that it is completely unloaded. This step is a critical safety measure to prevent accidental discharges, which can lead to serious injury or death. Confirming that the chamber, magazine, and any other potential ammunition sources are empty helps to establish a safe and controlled environment for handling the firearm. It's a fundamental principle of firearm safety that should be adhered to every time a firearm is handled.

While checking the sights, ensuring the magazine is full, and verifying weather conditions may be important in other contexts, they do not directly address the immediate safety concern of handling a firearm. The priority should always be on confirming that the firearm is unloaded before proceeding to load it, ensuring that the process starts safely.