Legalese Ruining Firearms

[alohachris]

I've got to say that I'm sick of the legal 'warnings' that are stamped all over firearms today. You look for a nice pistol with eye-catching style & design and the entire slide is covered in legalese:

WARNING: RETRACT SLIDE TO SEE IF LOADED!
WILL FIRE WITHOUT MAGAZINE!
READ OWNERS MANUAL BEFORE USE!
IMPROPER USE MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH!

It really detracts from the aesthetic appeal of the gun and has actually kept me from buying a gun before. Is it possible to have the slide refinished in such a way to remove all this garbage?

 

[CoRoMo]

Yes, you can send it to a place like Clark Custom, or a lot of other places, and they can polish off the text and refinish the gun.

Or you can do it yourself.

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-double-action/24108-removing-warning-label-barrel.html#post246129
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=143008

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I bet you'll find all kinds of warnings on the sides of all military weapons in use today. The gun companies are just trying to cover their Six.

I wonder what the warnings are on the side of a F-16 Tomcat.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I suppose it detracts from them - after all, let's face it, a firearm is a dangerous weapon and no safety warnings should be necessary - but ruining them is overstating things a little. This is a trend that has developed over time with all consumer goods. If you feel that strongly about it, just buy old guns.

 

[alohachris]

I'll concede that it detract vs. ruins. That's what I've done, look for older models still in good condition & purchased those. Do those 'warnings' make anyone safer? I work with 'dangerous' equipment all day long. There's no sign on the side of a defibrillator saying WARNING! THIS DEVICE CAN DELIVER SHOCKS IN EXCESS OF 300 JOULES!

 

[sv51macross]

O/T, but...
Sauer Grapes wrote:

I wonder what the warnings are on the side of a F-16 Tomcat

F-16 Falcon
F-14 Tomcat

 

[W L Johnson]

O/T, but...
Sauer Grapes wrote:
Quote:

I wonder what the warnings are on the side of a F-16 Tomcat

F-16 Falcon
F-14 Tomcat

Actually, it's F-16 Fighting Falcon. They put the word fighting in there because Dassault was/is producing an aircraft named Falcon. But hey, I almost always write just Falcon myself.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Let us not forget the F-18 Hornet

My Kimber only has "Kimber" on one side and "Ultra Crimson Carry II" on the other side. Their address and serial number on the frame.

 

[Fredericianer]

It could be worse, they could have it written in Spanish as well.

 

[del4]

Actually F/A 18 Hornet. :>} They have tons of warnings too: Danger jet intake/exhaust, no step, no push, ejection seat...

[/B][/B]

 

[W L Johnson]

They have tons of warnings too: Danger jet intake

Perfect example of why
http://www.fodnews.com/jetengine.wmv

From http://www.fodnews.com/
FOD means "Foreign Object Damage"

There are times when warnings really are needed, just what good do they do you no one pays attention? But common sense alone should tell you to stay away from jet intakes. I believed the same thing applies to guns, common sense is all the warning I need, but I guess common sense don't exist in the legal world.

 

[Tommygunn]

Perfect example of why
http://www.fodnews.com/jetengine.wmv

Wow! I've seen that film before -- but I never knew the sailor actually survived the ordeal! Helluva lucky guy!

 

[W L Johnson]

His helmet got sucked off and hit the fan, thus taking out the engine and slowing it enough not to suck him all the way in. If his helmet hadn't gotten sucked off his head would have still been in it when it hit the blades of the fan. He actually pulled himself back out afterward.
Lucky, Lucky, Lucky

 

[Nushif]

I am kinda on the wagon with the OP, tbh.

I very much would like a clean looking gun for once, but so far the cleanest ones I could find were Glocks or super high priced 1911s.

 

[jnyork]

[QUOTE





It could be worse, they could have it written in Spanish as well. ][/QUOTE]

Dont laugh too loud!

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I agree the legal stuff is going over the top. It takes away from the looks of the gun.

 

[snubbies]

Warnings!!!

The warnings are placed on the gun in an attempt to immunize the manufacturer from liability when some moron shoots himself/herself. Maybe they should sign a waiver when they buy a gun. The waiver would then be on file somewhere.

 

[BP Hunter]

Sad to say, this nation has taught itself to sue everybody for everything. "Contents are hot", "watch your step", "Do not eat", etc. etc. Common sense has left the country and covering yourself is the name of the game. If those warnings were not engraved in the gun and somebody with less than a commonm sense gets hurt from it, guess who loses $$$$?

I just arrived from Europe and visited 7 different countries, I was surprised not to see these "common sense" warnings on labels. People there were more relaxed. Then on my way home, I borrowed my wife's foldable pillow thingy. A large tag was attached and it had at least 200 hundred words on "warning". I then realized it was purcahsed in the States.

 

[Roswell_Kid]

Ah the beauty of polymer gun frames, Part II:

Instead of housing a laser, why not grips that contain a minicam and transmit a muzzle-eye view every time pressure is applied to the trigger?

How about a molded-in speaker and circuitry to emit a loud "truck backing up" BEEP BEEP BEEP whenever the firearm is chambered and ready to fire?

Oh, oh, oh! Grips contain a little touchscreen and stylus. Every time you want to load a magazine, you get prompted to input a random word from the manual, like "18th word on page 34," in order for the firearm to unlock itself and accept loading! Would guarantee the manual goes everywhere with the gun and is referred to often.

I got a million of them!

 

[coloradokevin]

We've been lawyered to death in this society. I can't imagine how many billions of dollars are wasted every year by companies as they try to determine what legal warnings need to be added to their products (my guess is that it is a few billion dollars less than the amount of money being awarded in frivolous lawsuits).

 

[shotgunjoel]

Maybe they should sign a waiver when they buy a gun. The waiver would then be on file somewhere.

What if you bought it used?

 

[Walkalong]

My Kimber only has "Kimber" on one side and "Ultra Crimson Carry II" on the other side. Their address and serial number on the frame.

Same here, but I have a couple of Rugers that.......:banghead:

Looks like crap, and says, we think you are stupid, but it doesn't actually "ruin" the firearm, thank goodness.

 

[Owen Sparks]

It is not just firearms. Looked at a new step ladder lately? I bought one a while back and it was literally covered with warnings. Look at an owners manual for any new tool or device and half of it will be warnings. The reason is that the trial lawyers are the financial backbone of the Democratic party and they are rewarded for this support with a target rich enviroment.

 

[Cosmoline]

How about this legalese as a replacement for the barrel warning: "Executio est finis et fructus legis"

 

[del4]

It's amazing, everyone talks about how much they hate lawyers but they all run to one as soon as a buck might be involved. The same with government, we all say "less government", "less spending"...except for my program or cause. My state is famous for it.

This is why we have warnings engraved onto the sides of guns and an emposing government.