Lost a Friend handgun incident

[dedguy805]

Two years ago i lost a friend to a gun incident. I dont know exactly what happened.I was not there,but i was told the story of what happened by a eye witness. The back story is that my father was a Marine and drilled into me the four safety rules. I knew from a very young age that guns were not to be messed with and if i saw someone playing with one to get to the nearest responsable adult. From what i am told Mike(the guy who died) Lost all RESPECT for the danger a Weapon has. I cant tarnish his name by calling what actions he took as stupid, irresponsible,idiotic and many other words describing the lack of care that he had in respect to the gun he had. Because his actions were. From what i understand he pointed a "REPLICA" handgun at his own head while joking around. The revolver was a .22 and the medics at the scene said he died instantly.
The reason i am writing this is because of something that happened last night. I asked Mikes best friend to go shooting with me. He would love to go but his wife is very upset about him going. She refrenced the death of Mike as the reason she didnt want to let her husband go shooting with me. If anyone has any idea of how to get her to change her mind let me know. I guess the whole point of the story is to not only know the 4 safety rules but to use them in your daily life.

 

[Outlaws]

Sorry about your friend but that stuff happens from time to time. Was he a depressed person at all? When you "quote" Replica, did you mean he thought it was a replica....did he own it or did someone tell him it was a toy or what?

If it was his I don't see how he didn't know. Thats why I asked if he was depressed.

I don't know what to tell you on the wife situation because those are always unique and you just have to play it by ear with what to use.

 

[dedguy805]

gun

He was asked to dispose of garbage in the atic of a neighbor. it was her ex husbands gun and he was not depressed. and even if he was and none of us knew it i doubt if he would have done it infront of 2 people with one being his 9 year old brother.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

If I was the friend who's wife objected, I'd simply say Mike was an idiot. I'm not. He didn't point a replica gun at his head (which isn't cool in the first place). He put a real gun with real ammunition in it against his head and he pulled the trigger.
That sounds harsh and I'm sure he was a great guy but if it wasn't suicide (which if there were eye witnesses, I kind of doubt) thats like saying she doesn't want him to go driving because he might decide to lay down in the middle of the freeway. Maybe he could pinky swear he won't put a gun to his head and pull the trigger.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Sorry about your friend.

As far as the other, tell the lady she has a good point. Then show her this video:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-574958681643649957&q=idiot+of+the+year&hl=en

Explain to her that you agree that people can get hurt with firearms. That is why there are safety rules. However, stupid people will find a way to hurt themselves no matter how many rules are in place.

The simple truth is she may know that all too well. In fact, she may know her husband well enough to question his ability to follow safety rules, in which case, leave it alone.

 

[thexrayboy]

The wife of the person you have invited is operating at the emotional level on this subject. You will not be able to speak to her about this and have her react in a rational matter. It's a sad thing but it's the truth. Her reaction is not logical, rational or even adult but that doesn't make it any less a fact.

It's the same logic people use to avoid airline travel due to fear of dying in a crash even though statistically it is far safer than any other mode of transport. It's an emotional response. You can attempt to talk to her regarding this and you may be able to actually reach her on a level at which she can actually understand, however it is equally possible that all you will do is harden her resolve against firearms. Tough situation. Professional counseling to help her deal with unresolved feelings for the accidental death may be an option to consider. Sad situation for all involved.

 

[Chawbaccer]

You, your friend, and even your friend's wife should take a safety course together. I'm not implying that you are dangerous with guns but it's just something the involved parties do together and it would show the wife that you and your friend are trained.