"Treat EVERY gun as though it IS loaded...until you check it, YOURSELF".
P.S. Or is that rule #2? Rule #1 may be "Always point the muzzle in a safe direction".
It should be:
1. keep it pointed in a safe direction
2. keep your finger off the trigger, out of the trigger guard
3. check to see if it's loaded. (clear the gun)
4. go back to #1.
