Is it impolite to point a gun with your hand over the muzzle?

[BHP FAN]

''most ppl even if offended wouldnt say anything ''

so it's ok to offend people,if they're too polite,or embarrassed [for you] to say anything?

 

[benEzra]

if someone where to do everything humanly possible to make sure you where in no danger due to firearms(what you expect) then you and no one else should ever pick one up

The Four Rules were created to ensure that when you pick up and handle a firearm (whether moving or not), you don't accidentally shoot anybody.

Most people who accidentally get shot, get shot because somebody decided that one or two of the Four Rules could safely be ignored if they think the gun is unloaded.

Sweep me at a gun shop and I'll ask you not to. Sweep me at a range and I'll ask you not to. Sweep me at a practical-shooting match and I'll ask you not to. The same rules and BASIC HUMAN COURTESIES apply everywhere.

if its unloaded no i dont care... and guns dont poke holes in things bullets do... and we are talking about guns with no bullets...

If you're pointing a gun at me, how do I know with certainty that it's unloaded? Answer: I DON'T.

If you want to point guns you think are unloaded at someone, point them at yourself, but leave me out of it, please.

 

[dirt_j00]

and we are talking about guns with no bullets...

Some folks just don't get it. :banghead:

You, nor anyone else, cannot be 100% certain that any gun is unloaded (i.e. "no bullets") without it physically being in your possesion. So when you are standing at the counter of the gun store, and an "idiot" points a gun at you, how can you be certain its not loaded? Once again: you can't.

Lesson of the Day: Point your "unloaded" gun at me, and we will have a problem.

 

[Justin]

jeff cooper is just some guy..

Yes, Jeff Cooper was just some guy. He couldn't possibly have had anything to say on the topic of gun safety that some teenage kid would ever find useful.

like me or like you these 4 rules are not the bible..

When it comes to handling firearms safely, yes, they are the gospel truth.

they are not even rules

I'm pretty sure that by any objective definition of the term "rules" they are.

what happens if you get sweeped in a gun shop and you dont like and someone broke the rules holy crap oh i remember nothing happens .. nothing at all... most ppl even if offended wouldnt say anything.. and you can use these rules of yours to make running and gunning completely safe.. i dont care ... its annoying to me that you even bring some guy that made some rules.... way back when... im sure cooper ment for the rules to be taken and swayed by common sense when neccerary

I don't think it's a bad thing that you're ignorant of basic gun safety procedures, how practical shooting matches are operated, how to handle a firearm in a gun shop, or even who Jeff Cooper is. Those are all things that can be corrected.

However, I find it rather disturbing that you're so happy to publicly wallow in your own ignorance, flaunting it for all the world to see.

 

[rbernie]

To the moderators,

please stop. You guys are moderators because you are level and good at moderating. Right now, this has devolved into a stupid pissing contest, full of personal insults. Don't pretend like you aren't contributing.

Well, in fairness, this is important. This issue speaks to the very core of what THR is all about - promoting the responsible use of firearms. It's not like a chocolate-vs-strawberry kind of an issue. THIS MATTERS, and it matters A LOT.

It is not acceptable behavior to point a functional firearm at someone else under any circumstances other than lawful self-defense.

It just isn't.

I don't care if it's intentional or accidental.

It's not proper behavior.

 

[X-Rap]

My posts on gunshows and shops are in no way ment to condone poor muzzle disipline, quite the contrary. My point would be more to the fact that there seem to be some places that have an environment that ignores what is expected elsewhere.
I know of a couple ND's at shows and stores, one in which a guy was seriously wounded and both done by guys who were in the know about guns, one being a former police chief.
The four rules are very good and if they are followed there will be no ND's that involve wounding a human. In many cases one of the rules can be violated and so long as the others are followed tragedy can be avoided.
As a test start to pay attention to those you pass a gun off to and see what the trigger finger does. I often see people take posetion of a gun and since it was handed to them by someone they take for granted it is clear and instantly put their finger on the trigger and in some cases squeeze. As most have said, nobody likes to be covered by the muzzle of a gun at anytime especially when we have no indication that it is inert my point is how do we arrange gunshows for instance were the muzzles are pointed upward and people won't be forced to be covered by multiple muzzles all day.

 

[Enginetech88]

Your all missing this point.....

After reading most of this nonsense. This is what it comes down too. I do not know ANY of you. If I was to come to your town I would not know you from Adam. So when I am in your LGS I do not know your competance of guns. Nor do you know everyone elses competance. If a muzzle is pointed at me with or without a hand over it. I will be EXTREMELY offended. I would seriously hope many others of you would agree. How do I know If that pistol came from behind the counter? Or If it came out of your holster, cocked and locked. And you dont know how to operate it? How can I tell from down the counter if its loaded or not. NOT a single person on this forum can be 110% sure if a gun is loaded or not without personally checking it. Josh


OH yeah.... In the OP.... Would you be offended if I accidently pointed that at you? You should never accidently point a gun in any direction. You should know where the gun is pointed. Accidently means you didnt know it was pointing at the guy you shot down the counter because none of are perfect. But you admit you will be pointing it towards people. ?????

 

[X-Rap]

That is exactly right so how do we correct the problem?

 

[Enginetech88]

Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Follow the basic firearm rules. Talk to the guy behind the counter.... Hey its always real busy in here. Any way we can clear a spot out in the corner so I can safely check this gun out. Or ask the people around you to move a little for everyones safety.

 

[rswartsell]

I think an unequivocal statement of the High Road's commitment to the 4 rules is in order and then lock it down. I believe in free and open discussion, to a point.

We need to stand for responsibility in regards to firearms ownership and handling otherwise we are just a chat room. This should not be debatable to the extent is has been here.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Throw in the 10 Commandments of Gun Safety while we are at it.

I think this is gone far enough myself.

I dont mind a healthy discussion, but there should be a end point somewhere down the line. Are we no better than school kids? Did too, did not, did too, did not?

Cheers.

 

[taliv]

an excellent suggestion, rswartsell


the Four Rules are your friend. add to them if you need for social reasons, but it's pretty dang hard to have an accident without breaking at least two of the four rules