Safety Violation Say Something Or MYOB

It depends on the situation. In this case I'd have probably said nothing. But it would depend on the person and the type of relationship I have with them. If I felt I could say something tactfully and not make things worse maybe so.

Yes I would have said something and with his response would also tell him he's an idiot .

Trunk Monkey said:

I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun.....

Click to expand...

Inside city limits, I'm pretty sure this is considered brandishing a deadly weapon. If I saw my neighbors doing something unsafe, I'd be sure to add that into my 2 cents about the safety issue.

The fact that he was pointing it at himself, may warrant pointing out that if anyone were to capture it on a camera, it may be 'Red Flag' worthy with regard to self harm.

Honestly, people waving guns around in my neighborhood isn't something I'm okay with. Often when people do stupid and dangerous stuff, their ego won't allow them to accept others' condemnation of such acts. But no one wants legal problems. So that can occasionally be good leverage, even if only applied subtly.

And given that one ego is already at stake, dropping the thought on them and walking away might be easier for them to take than discussing it to where they may feel they have to defend their actions.

If pointed at me or one of my loved ones, I’d definitely say something.
Pointed at himself? No. How else will the human race evolve?

I would have considered it his problem and gone about my business. I am not the world's keeper. If pointed at me or one my family then my response would have been immediate.

Confronting a idiot with a gun? No thanks.

460Shooter said:

If pointed at me or one of my loved ones, I’d definitely say something.
Pointed at himself? No. How else will the human race evolve?

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.

I would have said something along the lines of what was said to the guy. Sole purpose being that when he shoots himself I can feel better knowing that I made the attempt which gave him ample opportunity to figure it out on his own. Without making the effort I believe I would have some grief if/when he manages a ND that results in injury.

Trunk Monkey said:

Those who would say something, why?

What do you hope to accomplish?

Click to expand...

Perhaps that neighbor (the one to whom the Moron was showing the RDS) might learn something of value, even if the Moron did not.

Trunk Monkey said:

I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun. . .

Click to expand...

Where do you live so I can avoid there?

Ernie Bass said:

Confronting a idiot with a gun? No thanks.

Click to expand...

That's about it.

I do talk to people at the range, but I'm wearing an RSO hat and making a heroic effort to be nice.

At least it's heroic for me, others might not tell the difference.

Trunk Monkey said:

Those who would say something, why?

What do you hope to accomplish?

Click to expand...

That they might stop doing stupid things with guns in the vicinity of my home.

Trunk Monkey said:

I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun at his own chest while attempting to show the RDS to another neighbor.

Before thought to keep my big mouth shut I mentioned it was an unsafe act. He assured me that the gun wasn't loaded and I told him that we treat all guns as loaded and he blew it off.

Going forward I don't care if I walk out the door and he's got the gun in his mouth I'm not wasting my time saying a word.

In the same position would you say something or keep your mouth shut.

Click to expand...

SADLY = it would be cool to not say anything.

But too many decades teaching firearms safety AND making it a "thing" to ALWAYS be aware of.

I am positive I would say something.

I know that was not the case,BUT if a weapon of any ability to EVER fire ,is pointed or aimed in my direction ----- OH YEA,game on.

It would be very difficult to actually improve safety in that situation by saying something. If you say something the guy is probably going to be embarrassed and get defensive. Best case, he drops the issue. Worst case he thinks of it as a slight and holds a grudge.

Saying something about it later, in private, would be an option. But even then, what would you say? ”Hey I wanted you to know that when I saw you pointing a gun at yourself the other day I was worried for a moment. I’m sure the gun was unloaded but from a distance nobody knows that and bullets can travel through a person and hit bystanders. You should always point your gun at a backstop that you know will stop the bullet before it hits anything or anyone you don’t want to damage,” might be seen as a bit passive aggressive.

I would say something, maybe along the lines of “hey friend, you’re making me nervous! Wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to a you!”
If it’s pointed at me or family or friend I would have something stronger to say. And I have.

I would err on the side of caution and assume that he is merely doing something stupid. However if there has been a rash of suicides lately, I will act if he is attempting to kill himself and respond as such.

In general I involve myself as little as possible when there are idiots with guns about.

Bama 59 said,

Yes I would have said something and with his response would also tell him he's an idiot .

Click to expand...

Just think of the next time you will want to borrow his pole saw. I'm sure you can think of something more diplomatic, yes?

Some people just can not grasp the concept of "treat them as if they were loaded" and come back with, "but it's not loaded, I just checked it."

Sad.

WrongHanded was heading in the right direction:

And given that one ego is already at stake, dropping the thought on them and walking away might be easier for them to take than discussing it to where they may feel they have to defend their actions.

Click to expand...

Planting suggestions is sometimes better than suggesting.

Terry, 230RN

Myob.

Safety is everyone's responsibility all the time. I usually start with "Would you mind a suggestion?" I would also appreciate someone pointing out any safety violation I may commit, because after 64 years around guns, it is not impossible for me to have a lapse in concentration.

It would depend on a) whether the neighbor owed me money, and; b) whether the debt was sufficiently well documented to be satisfied by his estate.