Familiarity Breeds Contempt

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kudu

kudu

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Familiarity Breeds Contemp

OK, wanting to know if other people tend to get so used to handling guns and ammunition that they start to be too casual and contemptuous of them. I find that every now and again I tend to do stupid things when handling a gun or loading ammo. Not intending to, but happens just the same. When I realize what I'm doing it"s like a big shot of adreniline pumps through me and I think that was really stupid, I could of hurt myself, (or others). Then I am okay and stay aware of everything I am doing for a long time, months or years.

I have had an occasional mishap that really wakes me up, nothing too dangerous, but it puts your head on straight for some time to come. :what:

Every now and then we need a reminder. :banghead:
 
So far...
Knock on wood.
I have not become complacent with guns n other stuff that breaks things.
In a bit over 60 years of playin with em.

Hope I can maintain that for a long time.
But...tis a one day at a time thing.

Sam
 
Unfortunately

About every 15 years I've fired an "empty" gun. :what:

My saving grace has been perfect mastery of muzzle control.

You're right. It's a very good refresher course.
 
Luckily my occasional mishaps have not been with live ammo or anything really bad, just little things that wake you up in a hurry.
 
Help out at new shooters or CCW classes. Alternatively go to the public range right before hunting season. You'll never get complacent. Think of it as "Scared Straight" for gun owners. So no, I don't get complacent.
 
I'm actually a little more complacent around them than my first encounter with them. Which makes me safer since I am not scared to death of doing something wrong and causing an accident. Now that I know the rules and how to handle the weapons, I am safer with them. When I first fired them, for some reason, on DA revolvers I let my finger rest on the trigger but kept my finger as far away as possible from the trigger on the autoloaders... weird, that was before I knew the rules.
 
Yep, just go to any public range. Yikes! I remember once while shooting with El Tejon we talked to a moron with a small .380 or something. This clown pulls the gun out of his coat pocket(!) to show us his new front sight on it. The clown then points it straight at El Tejons chest to show off the front sight. You could here the wind howl as our rectums sucked up air. Talk about pucker factor. El Tejon and I slowly split apart from each other like the Red Sea, because neither of us wanted to see Moses at that moment. We then look at each other with full understanding that we were both in an inner battle to control the "Choke the clown" emotion.

Personally, I'm an electrical engineer and often work on high and medium and low voltage systems. I utilize the same type of safety mindset when around weapons too.
 
All guns are loaded, always. (Unless disassembled for cleaning or repair. Even then don't get sloppy. ) Treat them as such.
 
No, never. I think I once cycled an action and had a snapcap I forgot about come flying out but that's it. I check my firearms' actions if I've been out of the room. Training for safety is a constant process!

BTW: Knock on wood! ;)
 
"...used to handling guns and ammunition that they start to be too casual and contemptuous of them..." No way. No how. Safe firearm, handling is a training thing. You just do it. There is no excuse. No lapse is allowed.
When on a range, you, as a responsible shooter, are the RO's assistant. If you see anything unsafe, you should stop it and/or report it. There ain't no Politically Correctness on any range.
Yes, I've done it. Long before I was a CF RSO too.
 
It can happen. A long-time local shooter and gunsmith (who tricked out my first ever tricked-out 1911) blew his left thumb off while taking a 1911 apart at his kitchen table. He's probably worn out more guns than I have socks, but there he was, ear ringing, hole in ceiling, looking for his thumb... All it takes is a distraction, a moment's inattention.
 
Absolutely. But I try to learn from each experience.

There's a good reason that there is more than one RULE. By sticking to them you have the best chance of not hurting someone when one of the RULES gets neglected.
 
I almost had a very, very serious mishap when I was 19 and screwing around. Even though that was a long time ago I am paranoid about the four safety rules. I think that familiarty breeds more concern.
 
Ditto Navy Joe - maybe volunteer at Safety Courses until it's drilled in that Safety comes first. I know at my club it is stressed ad nauseum but I'm glad of it. I know I don't like to shoot around anyone that has a few 'mishaps' since I could be their next one.

There should be no little mishaps that are permissable and you should train with that in mind until safety is paramount in your shooting.
 
I to have found at times I can get complacent. When I catch myself slipping I remember way back when I worked the flight deck in the Navy. We had a saying then, "complacency kills." It's true, it can, whether when handling guns, jets, or an automobile. I think that people who do not recognize their occasional lapses into complacency should evaluate their actions a little more honestly. It happens to us all as we become familiar with what we are doing. Thankfully I have never had an AD in 30 years of handling firearms, but it is likely because I evaluate my actions, not just follow rules. Everyone makes mistakes, the mistakes that are most dangerous are the ones we fail to recognize.
 
the loudest sound in the world is a "bang" when you're expecting a "click".
Click to expand...

Umm, I know what you're saying, but I 've always heard that saying from the other viewpoint... the loudest sound in the world is a "click" when you're expecting a "bang".

There's a reason that there are FOUR rules... if humans were perfect there would be a need only for ONE rule.
 
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