In terms of safety, what should always be done first before transporting a firearm?

Before transporting a firearm, it is essential to make sure it is unloaded because this is a critical safety measure that prevents accidental discharges during handling and transport. Ensuring a firearm is unloaded minimizes the risk not only to the person transporting it but also to others around them. This practice is a foundational principle of firearm safety, emphasizing that the responsibility for firearm safety lies with the owner or handler at all times.

While securing the firearm in a case is also important and serves to protect both the firearm and anyone around it, this action should only take place after confirming that the firearm is unloaded. Checking the weather and updating hunting permits, although they may be relevant to a hunting trip, do not directly pertain to the immediate safety of transporting the firearm itself. Thus, confirming that the firearm is unloaded takes precedence to ensure a safe transport process.