NationStates Jolt Archive

http://sundaygazettemail.com/section/News/2007040629

Back when I was young, I was taught a few things about firearms, long before I ever had the chance to actually handle or use one.

The first thing I was taught was not to point the weapon at myself or others, unless I really wanted to kill someone.

That rule applied whether the firearm in question was loaded or unloaded, as one can frequently be mistaken about the status of a firearm, even if you've just checked it.

As I got older, I thought that most people would have the common sense to know that "the end with the hole in it is the dangerous part - stay away from that end" even if they were fairly unfamiliar with firearms, and had never, ever had the opportunity to see one.

I hope that this guy didn't reproduce before having his "accident".

Here in the US, they no longer refer to these as "accidental discharges". They call them "negligent discharges" to carry the implication that someone was extremely stupid.

That's a bit harsh. He was giving a demonstration. Ok, he could have made sure the safety was on, but they guy died, give him a break.

That's a bit harsh. He was giving a demonstration. Ok, he could have made sure the safety was on, but they guy died, give him a break.

I was taught that the safety on a firearm is located between your ears.

You can't rely on a safety catch - most people are taught that "safety catch" is an oxymoron.

I've seen many firearms fully function and fire with the safety on.

Never, ever, ever point a firearm at your head. No matter who told you it was unloaded. No matter if you personally checked that it was unloaded. No matter if the safety was on.

A lot of fatal accidents happen precisely because someone says, "well, he said it was unloaded..."

Who the fuck demonstrates a suicide with an actual weapon?

Well, obviously he didn't have much in the way of brains.

Who the fuck demonstrates a suicide with an actual weapon?

Hmm, I suppose.

Think of it this way: you can't afford to be wrong even once.

I was taught that the safety on a firearm is located between your ears.

You can't rely on a safety catch - most people are taught that "safety catch" is an oxymoron.

I've seen many firearms fully function and fire with the safety on.

Never, ever, ever point a firearm at your head. No matter who told you it was unloaded. No matter if you personally checked that it was unloaded. No matter if the safety was on.

A lot of fatal accidents happen precisely because someone says, "well, he said it was unloaded..."

Hmm, I suppose.

Try telling that to the people who had to mop up the wall. :p

Well I'm a mushroom-cloud-layin' motherfucker, motherfucker! Every time my fingers touch brain I'm SUPERFLY T.N.T, I'm the GUNS OF THE NAVARONE. In fact, what the fuck am I doin' in the back? You're the motherfucker should be on brain detail. We're fuckin' switchin' right now.

Well, obviously he didn't have much in the way of brains.
Try telling that to the people who had to mop up the wall. :p

Well, obviously he didn't have much in the way of brains.

Well, not anymore.

Just so everyone in NS knows: 1) No gun should EVER be pointed at ANY human being. Period. That means when you place a gun on a counter, you check whether there is someone in the direction the barrel is pointed - don't point at a hallway. 2) When carrying a gun, always have it pointed DOWN. 3) EVERY gun is loaded. I don't care if you just checked the chamber. Treat every gun as loaded. 4) If you own a gun, GET A TRIGGER LOCK! Lock the thing up in a gun safe. Children find guns all the time, and it is your responsibility that they know and respect firearms and cannot access them uncontrolled.

Well, not anymore.

Just so everyone in NS knows: 1) No gun should EVER be pointed at ANY human being. Period. That means when you place a gun on a counter, you check whether there is someone in the direction the barrel is pointed - don't point at a hallway. 2) When carrying a gun, always have it pointed DOWN. 3) EVERY gun is loaded. I don't care if you just checked the chamber. Treat every gun as loaded. 4) If you own a gun, GET A TRIGGER LOCK! Lock the thing up in a gun safe. Children find guns all the time, and it is your responsibility that they know and respect firearms and cannot access them uncontrolled.
Or you know, if you just don't own a gun then you don't have to worry about never pointing it at someone and having it accidently go off.

Problem solved!

I was taught that the safety on a firearm is located between your ears.

You can't rely on a safety catch - most people are taught that "safety catch" is an oxymoron.

I've seen many firearms fully function and fire with the safety on.

Never, ever, ever point a firearm at your head. No matter who told you it was unloaded. No matter if you personally checked that it was unloaded. No matter if the safety was on.

A lot of fatal accidents happen precisely because someone says, "well, he said it was unloaded..."

You are spot on. What an idiotic thing to do.

I really do think that there are people who really really really ought not to be given access to dangerous kit.