A system for alerting a user to a state of a weapon includes a safety assembly, operably coupled to the weapon and operable to selectively render the weapon into either a safe mode or a firing mode. A motor is carried by the weapon and is operably coupled to the safety assembly so as to be engaged when the weapon is in the firing mode. The motor is operable to impart vibratory motion to the weapon of sufficient magnitude that a wielder of the weapon can tactilely sense the vibratory motion without visually inspecting the weapon to thereby sense that the weapon is in the firing mode without visually inspecting the weapon.