The first step in cleaning a firearm is to make sure that it is unloaded. This can be done by checking the chamber and the magazine for rounds. If the firearm is not loaded, the next step is to unload it. This can be done by pulling back on the slide or bolt and looking into the chamber to ensure that there are no rounds present. If there are rounds in the chamber, they should be removed before proceeding with cleaning. Once the firearm has been unloaded, the next step is to gather the necessary supplies for cleaning.