When I am introducing newcomers to firearms, I give them the 4 rules, one of which is of course, check to see if the firearm is unloaded.
I always add onto this by saying 'if you are handling guns, or shopping for them, and don't know how to check if it is unloaded, ask. See, there are so so so many different types of guns, even the most experienced gunner will run across something he doesn't know. Having the courage to ask actually shows you know what you are doing. It is the guy who handles the gun a bit, pulls on different parts for no reason, then hands it back all serious and declares it a fine specimin that stands out as the newbie.'
Our constitutional rights to keep and bear arms doesn't require that we be experts in them. "point the barrel at em and pull the trigger" if that is the extent of their knowledge, fine. Sure, the more knowledge, the better.
Truth is, if we pried, I am sure we would find gun related info that you have no idea about, and that you think isn't even relevant. Who knows, maybe these guys are big hunters, can stalk like crazy, track a bloodtrail under a new moon, etc etc, and only know enough about guns to keep them in moderate working condition. In fact, if you talk to a lot of old time hunters, they'll tell you stuff like 'more guns are ruined by overcleaning than by shooting' back in the day, there were a lot less fancy cleaning items. Guys who took their 30-30 out all day, and afterwards ran a patch of kerosine down the bore, rubbed a bit of oil (motor oil, sewing machine oil, olive oil, what have you) on the outside and a tiny drop on the lever, then hung it back over the fireplace, that was pretty normal.
I always add onto this by saying 'if you are handling guns, or shopping for them, and don't know how to check if it is unloaded, ask. See, there are so so so many different types of guns, even the most experienced gunner will run across something he doesn't know. Having the courage to ask actually shows you know what you are doing. It is the guy who handles the gun a bit, pulls on different parts for no reason, then hands it back all serious and declares it a fine specimin that stands out as the newbie.'
Our constitutional rights to keep and bear arms doesn't require that we be experts in them. "point the barrel at em and pull the trigger" if that is the extent of their knowledge, fine. Sure, the more knowledge, the better.
Truth is, if we pried, I am sure we would find gun related info that you have no idea about, and that you think isn't even relevant. Who knows, maybe these guys are big hunters, can stalk like crazy, track a bloodtrail under a new moon, etc etc, and only know enough about guns to keep them in moderate working condition. In fact, if you talk to a lot of old time hunters, they'll tell you stuff like 'more guns are ruined by overcleaning than by shooting' back in the day, there were a lot less fancy cleaning items. Guys who took their 30-30 out all day, and afterwards ran a patch of kerosine down the bore, rubbed a bit of oil (motor oil, sewing machine oil, olive oil, what have you) on the outside and a tiny drop on the lever, then hung it back over the fireplace, that was pretty normal.