We Warned You!

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SwampWolf

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2005
Messages
7,645
Location
North Central Ohio
I was shooting at the range a couple of days ago when one of my friends renewed an old complaint: why do all of the gun manufacturers find it necessary to put warnings on their firearms (i.e., "read manual before use", etc.)? Many of us don't like the unsightly admonitions stamped on the barrels and receivers of our guns (I think Ruger was one of the first ones to do so) but, in a society where you can be sued millions of dollars and possibly be put out of business solely because some hapless litigant climbed a ladder from the wrong side or removed a clog from his running lawn mower or didn't know how to hold a hot cup of coffee properly, it's easy to understand why companies hire lawyers to keep other lawyers from ruining them with frivolous lawsuits.

But I was made to wonder, do all gun companies now put these offensive labels on their guns? So I examined some of my handguns and was surprised to see that many, maybe most, do not, including CZ, Colt, Taurus, SIG and Springfield (I've had my Taurus revolver for more than a few years so they might be doing so today). And, happily, they're all still in business! I have to question if the practice is really that necessary or maybe it's just a prudent "better be safe than sorry" mindset.
 
Last edited:
S&W puts warnings on the M&P line ("capable of firing without a magazine"). Beretta (sigh) also -- "RTFM before using."

Guns are designed to be dangerous. And Darwinism applies even when products have clearly displayed warning labels. And people still smoke cigarettes...

Why don't automobiles have warning labels on the steering wheels ("Warning: Operation of this vehicle requires that you stay awake and are not under the influence of intoxicants or drugs")?

Wasn't it Shakespeare who had it right about what to do with all the lawyers?
 
Old Dog said:
S&W puts warnings on the M&P line ("capable of firing without a magazine").
Click to expand...
That S&W message is there because many of the other S&W models have the mag-drop safety and will not fire with the mag out. It was a big selling/marketing point for many years.
But yep, those billboard ads on the sides of the guns are extreme. And then you had Springfield with the silliness of the labels - "Grip Zone" etc...
 
The safety billboards are annoying but I do understand why they are there. One thing Ruger did right when they came out with the SR-1911 was they put the safety warning-"Read Instruction Manual Before Using Firearm", on the underside of the frame instead of on the side of the frame or slide.
I had never noticed the, "Critical Capable Of Firing With Magazine Removed," on a M&P 2.0 until it was posted about here. I guess I was more interested in the location of the controls, how to field strip, etc than what was written on the gun.
 
On the other hand, Ruger was sued by a guy who had a nondrop safe single action revolver. Ruger would have fixed that for free. The dude shot himself. It was demonstrated that he knew about the recall and free modification but ignored it. The jury found for Ruger.

However, as a side show - Ruger did give him some bucks to shut up and not appeal. This seems to be a common practice even if the company wins the case - you just don't hear about it unless you know some lawyers.
 
None of my S&W revolvers have such warnings, including the new ones. And of course Ruger moved the billboard from the side of the barrel to the underside, where it is much less intrusive. That should be considered progress, in this tiresome age.
 
Old Dog said:
"Warning: Operation of this vehicle requires that you stay awake and are not under the influence of intoxicants or drugs")?
Click to expand...
Usually on the visor, sometimes big stickers on the dash.

Old Dog said:
Darwinism applies even when products have clearly displayed warning labels. And people still smoke cigarettes...
Click to expand...
Unfortunately would-be (much like those that ignore the warning stickers and cars....) Darwin award nominees usually take out someone else....
 
Lawyer continue to have to create more work for themselves. Pretty soon the entire manual will be printed on the barrel. If you actually do read the manual it has about 2 pages of instructions for every 20 pages of warnings. It is ridiculous.
 
Old Dog said:
S&W puts warnings on the M&P line ("capable of firing without a magazine"). Beretta (sigh) also -- "RTFM before using."

Guns are designed to be dangerous. And Darwinism applies even when products have clearly displayed warning labels. And people still smoke cigarettes...

Why don't automobiles have warning labels on the steering wheels ("Warning: Operation of this vehicle requires that you stay awake and are not under the influence of intoxicants or drugs")?

Wasn't it Shakespeare who had it right about what to do with all the lawyers?
Click to expand...

Vehicles nearly drive themselves now and yet have more warnings than ever .

Suv's and trucks have warnings on the sun visor about rollover during quick steering

Tires have warnings

Batteries have warnings

Coolant says don't drink

Some chevys Beep EVERYTIME the vehicle is turned off and reminds you to check the back seat (for a kid I guess)

Every car also has a multitude of idiot lights along with lane sensing tech, self parking, etc.

A family member had a little turbo sedan in the early 90's. A lincoln I believe. That dang car had a voice programmed to come over the radio and verbally warn you when you were speeding.
 
How can we as an ''experienced firearms community'' say we do not want safety labels, at the same time we welcome all the NEW 1st time inexperienced gun owners?

May have been an issue 3,4, 10 years ago. With the large influx of 1st timers though? I M in the 'grin & bear it' crowd I guess
 
DoubleMag said:
How can we as an ''experienced firearms community'' say we do not want safety labels, at the same time we welcome all the NEW 1st time inexperienced gun owners?

May have been an issue 3,4, 10 years ago. With the large influx of 1st timers though? I M in the 'grin & bear it' crowd I guess
Click to expand...
Safety labels are no replacement for training and time behind the trigger.
 
In this era, we have people who can't be bothered to read anything. They may watch the video, but it will be while they are engaged in other activities. The warnings have little effect other than making it clear that responsibility lies with the owner/operator, not the tool.
 
The sad part is that at this point, I don't really notice the warnings any more. On guns or any other product. This also means that the messages haven't been received, so the measures have failed, and I am pretty much running on common sense. Fortunately, my VA provided meds have basic dosage info and other instructions on the label. There's no way I'm reading the novels that are provided with each one.
 
FL-NC said:
The sad part is that at this point, I don't really notice the warnings any more. On guns or any other product. This also means that the messages haven't been received, so the measures have failed, and I am pretty much running on common sense. Fortunately, my VA provided meds have basic dosage info and other instructions on the label. There's no way I'm reading the novels that are provided with each one.
Click to expand...

It doesn’t matter if the messages haven’t been received. I agree, they’re basically just visual background noise now and I too don’t even notice them.

But again, that’s not the point. These messages aren’t placed there to protect you or benefit you in any way. They are placed their to protect the manufacturers from litigation that could adversely affect their profit margins. Period.
 
I just landed an unfired 1985 Super Blackhawk. Bluing is superb, a single tiny handling ding, sweet trigger. And a fricking billboard on the side of the barrel admonishing the user to RTFM. New Rugers have a small billboard on the underside of the barrel but the bluing wishes it was like my 1985.
 
Ironicaintit said:
Safety labels are no replacement for training and time behind the trigger.
Click to expand...


No they are not, nor are they intended to be. They are basically a reminder to those without training and time behind the trigger to at least read the manual before loading the gun. Basics like how to operate the safety and how to load and safely unload are in there. For folks with no prior knowledge of firearms, Semi-Auto handguns for instance, can be intimidating and confusing. When one sees the questions asked on these types of forums like..."is .45ACP and .45 Colt the same?", one realizes so folks need some basic info before hitting the range and getting that Training and time behind the trigger.



Do they need to be stamped permanently on the barrel? Not in my opinion.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

ms6852
  • Locked
Warning Stickers
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
zoom6zoom
Z
Old Dog
Reasons we find to not buy some firearms, not to include brand
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Replies
186
Views
9K
CavalierLeif
CavalierLeif
T
  • Locked
If you were going to invest all your $ in one gun company
Replies
14
Views
406
rbernie
rbernie
S
  • Locked
Recall when gun makers were being sued?
Replies
1
Views
278
10mm Mike
1
D
  • Locked
We have it in stock, please wait 2 weeks for shipping
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
wally
wally
Back
Top