Which of the following is NOT one of the four primary rules of firearm safety?

The choice indicating that you should "Always keep the firearm loaded" is not one of the four primary rules of firearm safety because proper firearm safety dictates that you should treat every firearm as if it is loaded, regardless of its actual status. The key principle is to ensure safety by always being cautious and assuming the firearm may be ready to fire, which directly aligns with the first rule about pointing the muzzle in a safe direction.

The fundamental rules emphasize the importance of identifying safe practices regarding the handling and operation of firearms. For example, keeping the muzzle pointed safely prevents accidental discharge from harming yourself or others. Knowing your target and what is beyond it is crucial because it helps avoid shooting something unintentionally. Additionally, keeping your finger outside the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot is vital in preventing accidental discharges. Each of these rules works together to create a framework for safe firearm use, highlighting that the firearm should not be left loaded in a way that could lead to careless handling or accidents.