I had a non-intentional discharge today

[springmom]

This is why there are four rules. Obey the others, and even if the ND happens, the damage is minimized.

You are in some fairly good company, you know.

Springmom

 

[bensdad]

Btdt

I wasn't much younger than you are now when I almost blew the a$$ off of my black lab. I was hunting pheasant in some dried reeds, and he was walking right in front of me. I had the safety off... gun pointed down in front of me... tripped... BANG! I shot the dirt patch between my feet and his. No damage. Good lesson. I hunt with the safety on now. I even unload to cross fences and creeks.

 

[RONSTAR]

I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself right, and thinking about my lack of responsibility. I think it might be best to sell off my guns.

As you should be soak it in and learn from it. Things like this is what makes people think guns are so dangerous. I wouldn't sell you firearms though just be careful and never let it happen again.

Do you guys have any ideas on safe handling and what I could do better next time?

Yeah clear your weapon before dry firing its that simple. Consider yourself extremely lucky. Thank god nobody was killed and I hope you learn from this Im sure you did. Everyone makes mistakes but when it comes to firearms its very hard to erase those mistakes you are very fortunate cause this one is one of those exception. Happy and safe shooting.

 

[ericyp]

I thought it was clear. I saw the rounds on the nightstand, and even had the cylinder partially open. I looked physically at the cylinder while it was closed before I started dry firing. The round must've been behind ratchet just out of view. I got through 2 dry fires before I had the nd. It was laziness, I agree. I should've fully opened the cylinder and looked before dry firing. I should've just used snap caps.

 

[RONSTAR]

I saw the rounds on the nightstand, and even had the cylinder partially open.

Well now you know partially doesn't cut it. Im not trying to give you a hard time its just that these kind of mistakes make all gun owners look bad in the eyes of the anti's. Not only that but its extremely dangerous, infact I cant think of ta many things that are more dangerous then a bullet without a flight plan if you will. I just really hope you learned your lesson. Life goes on people make mistakes. This is just a scary matter.

 

[physics]

This is why I check the chamber every single time I pick up a weapon, even if I know it's loaded. Always know what state your weapon is in, and even while you're sure you know, double check. Every time. I am glad nobody got hurt, and I don't think you should sell your guns. I think you need to learn from your mistake. This was a negligent discharge, not just non-intentional, but negligent. Remember that, because people get killed from these things, and it is ammo used against us by the anti's.

Sorry for busting your chops, but these are rules that just cannot be forgotten, ever. I hope you can use this to your advantage, and even teach others that you bring into shooting about proper gun safety. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Treo]

I thought it was clear

Famous last words those. When I was in the Army I had to hold a weapon for the CSM he picked up, cleared it and handed it to me. I took it , cleared it and started to put it in my pocket. He asked me why I cleared it right after him "dont you trust me?" I told him that was how I was taught.

EVERY TIME YOU TOUCH A WEAPON ( EXCEPT ONE YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIRE) YOU VERIFY THE CONDITION OF THE CHAMBER. EVERY TIME NO EXCEPTIONS

 

[jorb]

Some of the finest shooters I know have had ADs. At least one was an SF type trigger puller. You have learned a lesson that money cannot buy. Carry on. Do NOT sell your firearms.

 

[Andy W]

I'll bet that's your last AD. It happens to the best of us.

 

[Telesway]

One thing I recommend is don't get overly comfortable with guns. Don't treat them like you would, say, your dad's old acoustic guitar hanging on the wall, something that just can be left in the corner when you're done with it. Not saying that's what you or anyone else does, just giving an exaggerated example to illustrate the point which is this:

Always, always, when handling a gun, think that the item (the gun) is meant for killing people. It's a regular doomsday machine you have in your hand and grants you the power to kill anybody you want.

That being said, treat the gun accordingly. Go through the safety motions: even if you "know" the gun is empty, open it up anyways, remove the snap caps, take a look at them on your palm, look at the empty mags or the empty cylinder, look into the gun to see there's not a cartridge left in the barrel (or anything else for that matter), put the snap caps back into the magazine or cylinder, and you're good to go for dry firing, one of the most important forms of practice.

Take a deep breath, accept that you made a huge blunder and got lucky, and take care from now on.

 

[paramedic70002]

You might want to replace that socket anyway, or get an electrician to look at it. Working through all that angst won't so you any good if your house burns down tonight...

 

[buck00]

The gold dot fragmented and it did not pass through the wall. I couldnt hear anything and just remember feeling stunned that a NID actually happened to me. I thought I'd been careful, I looked at the cylinder and didn't notice the cartridge in there. I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself right, and thinking about my lack of responsibility.

What a way to start your summer- welcome home!


Hey, look on the bright side, that gold dot could have burrowed into your femur instead... which would have ruined back yard volleyball and swimming for the entire summer. So chin up.

 

[Poper]

VERIFY THE CONDITION OF THE CHAMBER. EVERY TIME NO EXCEPTIONS

Sound advice. It's the way I was taught by my Dad, too. One of the biggest gun safety bugs I have ever known.

As a side note, I used to clean all the guns in his cabinet when I would come home on leave from the AF just for soemthing to do. One such session I pumped a live shell out of his Winchester Model 12 shotgun. I almost soiled myself from pure shock! Lord only knows how that one was missed!
Moral of the story: It can happen to ANYONE.

Poper

 

[Grizzly Adams]

After taking everyone's advice and thanking God no one was injuried, do a search on this forum for ND and see how many of these members have had to make the same confession. I know you'll find me there.

Welcome aboard.

 

[another okie]

There are four rules, not three.

 

[blackcash88]

Never keep a gun loaded.

I have always learned and teach my kids not to load a gun unless your going to fire it.

Uh, yeah... Thanks for letting me know I've been carrying and keeping my home defense firearms the wrong way all these years. I'm sure Mr. Bad Guy won't mind waiting while I lock and load.

 

[J Star]

I thought it was clear

Famous last words those. When I was in the Army I had to hold a weapon for the CSM he picked up, cleared it and handed it to me. I took it , cleared it and started to put it in my pocket. He asked me why I cleared it right after him "dont you trust me?" I told him that was how I was taught.

EVERY TIME YOU TOUCH A WEAPON ( EXCEPT ONE YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIRE) YOU VERIFY THE CONDITION OF THE CHAMBER. EVERY TIME NO EXCEPTIONS

Yup. Couple of months ago, was bored on my lunch hours, so I stopped by Gander MT. and asked to check out a new S&W MP15. Guy behind the counter removed the empty mag, cleared the chamber, cleared it again, and handed it to me. I immediately pointed the barrel down and cleared the rifle. He made a snide remark about it, and I handed the rifle back and walked out.

I learned my lesson the hard way a long time ago. I picked up a rifle and KNEW that it was unloaded. I just knew it. Pointed that puppy at an outside wall and brushed the trigger. That rifle that I KNEW was unloaded blew a head sized hole in the wall of our house. I missed my brother by about 3 feet. God saw fit to spare me the agony of killing my brother, and in exchange I learned my lesson real good.

 

[1911Tuner]

Hi Eric. It's been said that there are two kinds of shooters. Those who have had a negligent/unintentional discharge...and those who will. I've had three.

The main thing is that nobody got hurt. All else is secondary. Learn from it and move on.

Think of it like the age-old pilot's dictum:

"Any landing that you can walk away from is a good landing."

 

[Nivek]

All of these guys are right. A ND should never happen. However, we're all human, and therefore prone to making mistakes. I put a 5.56mm hole in my kitchen cabinet about a year and a half ago. Scared the piss outta me. I didn't touch my guns for a good 3 months after that. But I learned from it, and saw the seriousness of gun ownership in a whole new light.
They key is to remember the basics. The 4 rules will do a good job of covering your ass as long as you stick to them. And thank god that if you happen to slip on one of the rules, the other three are still there to keep everyone safe.

 

[abrink]

Well, many have said that there are four safety rules. I respectfully disagree. I believe threre are five. The 4 i'm sure you know all ready and the 5th you may not. The fifth rule is simply don't be stupid. Ex. Don't give a loaded gun to a friend that's clearly drunk or something dumb like that (this doesn't really have anything to do with your post but i figure i'd throw this in as some people are talking about the safety rules.)

And BTW, negligent discharges can happen to anyone. Don't feel bad as i've had one myself. It means you have screwed up once and it also means you develope more respect for your firearms. I'm actually glad i had mine. If i hadn't i might be in the hopital right now with a bullet in me somewhere. Or even worse, someone else could have been hurt. But instead there is just a hollow point in the floor, not insomeone. Follow all the rules from now on including the 5th.

You need to move on and learn from this...Don't let it happen again!

 

[CountGlockula]

Lesson learned.

Next time don't half-heartedly check...go all the way.

Before dry firing, your gun should look like this: (with or without the ninja weapon light)

 

[Cyclimus]

Piece of advice for the OP and everyone else on the board - brass over time will began to turn black. It can even get so black as to match the color of the inside of your chamber. Always physically inspect the chamber to ensure that it is clear.

 

[blackcash88]

The fifth rule is simply don't be stupid. Ex. Don't give a loaded gun to a friend that's clearly drunk or something dumb like that.

Yup, I like that rule, too. My ONE and ONLY ND happened when I was drinking and for whatever reason, I decided to start dicking around with my carry piece. I was at home and thankfully nothing irreplaceable was hit.

I know, I know...shame on me.

 

[SsevenN]

It happens...

I had a ND in my old apt.

Lowering the hammer on my RAMI into DA.

Put a 9mm bullet right through the leg of my coffee table.

The brass landed on my shirt, and I found the bullet on the floor a foot from my roomie.

The bullet had traveled through the table leg, following the grain of the wood.

It exited from the bottom of the leg, and stopped right there at our feet.

Didn't touch the RAMI for half a year.

 

[nplant]

This is a good example of why you should never choose a fixture in your home to "practice" on. Hang a target against something that will stop a round, get in the mindset, unload your gun, unload your body (no loose rounds anywhere), and unload your area, then dry practice. When you're done, exit the mindset, take down the target, reload your gun and/or yourself, and go back to life.