When crossing fences alone with a firearm, which method is recommended?

• A. Place gun on the other side, cross, and pull gun toward you by the butt
• B. Carry the gun over the fence
• C. Set the gun down and climb over
• D. Lean the butt on the fence and slide over

Answer: (A)

When crossing obstacles with a firearm, the priority is control and keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. The best method is to place the gun on the far side of the fence, cross over, and then pull the firearm toward you by the butt. This keeps the muzzle away from your body and others while you move, reduces the chance of snagging or dropping the weapon, and avoids having the muzzle in a risky position as you climb. Once on the other side, you can grip the gun securely and bring it into a safe position.

Carrying the gun over the fence can let the muzzle swing toward you or others and you may lose control. Setting the gun down and climbing over risks it being forgotten or knocked, and you’d have to reach for it after crossing. Leaning the butt on the fence and sliding over can put the muzzle in an unsafe direction and the weapon may shift unpredictably, increasing the chance of an accident.