Several folks attempting to justify unsafe practices with 'practicalities'. Ok, let's have the discussion.
The rule is: Never point a gun at something you don't intend to kill (or shoot). Ever heard of it? If not, your training is deficient and you really need to get some soon. If you have heard of it, you're intentionally ignoring it. Let me say that again: intentionally ignoring firearms safety rules. And now you're bragging about it in public. Was romel intending to shoot the camera? I really don't think so. Was he intending to shoot himself? Even less likely. Both actions are clear, unmistakable violations of the most basic rule of firearms safety there is. And here we are saying, "Oh, that's ok, the gun wasn't loaded." Do I really need to point out the fact that continual and intentional violation of that rule breeds carelessness, and the day will come when it happens with a loaded gun. Yeah, yeah, you're super careful and it would never happen to you, you always check to be sure it's unloaded and you never, ever make a mistake (the last guy who could say that truthfully died 2000 years ago, and friend, you don't qualify).
As for loading a revolver without putting your hands in front of the chambers, well, just stop by the pistol firing line at Friendship one day and I'll show you several hundred people who can do it. NOBODY on that line grabs the barrel while loading the cylinder. Far from being impossible, holding the grip is actually easier.
The rule is: Never point a gun at something you don't intend to kill (or shoot). Ever heard of it? If not, your training is deficient and you really need to get some soon. If you have heard of it, you're intentionally ignoring it. Let me say that again: intentionally ignoring firearms safety rules. And now you're bragging about it in public. Was romel intending to shoot the camera? I really don't think so. Was he intending to shoot himself? Even less likely. Both actions are clear, unmistakable violations of the most basic rule of firearms safety there is. And here we are saying, "Oh, that's ok, the gun wasn't loaded." Do I really need to point out the fact that continual and intentional violation of that rule breeds carelessness, and the day will come when it happens with a loaded gun. Yeah, yeah, you're super careful and it would never happen to you, you always check to be sure it's unloaded and you never, ever make a mistake (the last guy who could say that truthfully died 2000 years ago, and friend, you don't qualify).
As for loading a revolver without putting your hands in front of the chambers, well, just stop by the pistol firing line at Friendship one day and I'll show you several hundred people who can do it. NOBODY on that line grabs the barrel while loading the cylinder. Far from being impossible, holding the grip is actually easier.