Most people do not handle firearms safely!

[johntaylorny]

When showing my pistol to anyone I always make sure it's unloaded but the same thing happens. Non-gun owners, gun owners, and ccw holders all do the same thing.

1. First thing they do, or let's say do not do, is verify the gun is unloaded.
2. They pick the gun up with their finger wrapped around the trigger.
3. They look down the barrel or wave the gun around at people with finger on trigger.

This is about 90% of the time what people do.

Then when you tell them to stop waiving the gun around and get their finger off the trigger, instead of complying they verbally argue with you "but it's not loaded!".

I see the same thing at the gun range all the time too. Why the heck would someone argue with you "but it's not loaded" while pointing a gun at you instead of just taking their finger off the trigger?!?!

-John

 

[Justin]

It's very unfortunate that you seem to have surrounded yourself with mouth breathers.

I have not had the same experiences you relate. Even when I've had a friend/relative pick up a firearm in an unsafe manner, a moment of simple safety instruction has always solved the problem.

Perhaps you should get rid of your gun or find new friends.

 

[Nushif]

I think the reason CCW permit holders are a bit more lax is because they carry a loaded firearm on their hip quite regularly.
I know for instance, I don't usually have the best flagging discipline (also, blame the Army, ironically) but have some of the better triggerfinger control.

The point is that the rules are an interlocking safety mechanism that prevents the worst from happening if applied, but frankly expecting every person to always handle every firearm in the way a longrifle shooter at a range who has just completed hunter's safety is not only counter to human nature, but also not practical for every shooter.

The triggerfinger thing bothers me, too. But someone flagging me after they've cleared a weapon and their finger is off the trigger ... I'm not entirely too worried about that.

I guess what I'm saying is that there's no excuse for lax gun handling, especially the final backstop being the finger on the trigger, but the rules aren't clad in iron. If that was the case, a cop wouldn't point a pistol at a suspect, a soldier wouldn't cover a buddy for fear of there being someone behind a doorway, etc.
And oddly enough, a concealed carry holder would never have a loaded weapon on them.

 

[Losov]

I'm more afraid of unsafe drivers - it appears that there are many more of them than there are unsafe gun handlers.

 

[TheProf]

This is my gun safety philosophy..

The four rules are there for a reason.
But I add a 5th...
"When at home...(assuming not a self-defense situation)...I keep all firearms holstered when others are at home." The holster acts as a secondary "safety". That means...no gun cleaning, no "dry fire" practice, etc. when others are home. I usually wait until I'm alone to do gun cleaning, dry fry practice, etc.

I always clear my weapon before handing it to anyone. That practice in a way...is a reminder for them to do the same. I also do the same when receiving a weapon from anyone.

 

[Dokkalfar]

Well I don;t hang around to many people who have firearms (at least, not with firearms present) But of the couple friends I do hang out with and go to the range with, clearing is a pretty standard practice. I have a friend who just bought a second pistol (had a LCP) and just bought Ruger's SR9c (or something like that) so when I first got to see it, its drop magazine, check chamber. Usually if we pass any firearms around, we tend to check the chamber every time the firearm changes hands..

 

[kingpin008]

I'm with Justin - I simply don't have the OP's problem.

If someone is handling one of my guns, it's because one or more of the following criteria have been met:

1. I know them and trust their ability to safely handle firearms.
2. I have instructed them in gun safety and proper firearms handling methods, and have had them verbally confirm that they understand.

In either of these cases, the gun is ALWAYS unloaded before being handed over, and the action is ALWAYS open. This way, all the person I'm handing it to has to do is look in the action and poke a finger into the chamber to verify.

And if they do something foolish like sweep me or themselves with the muzzle or place their finger inside the trigger guard, then I gently remind them not to do that. If they continue, the gun is promptly taken from them. Simple.

 

[Spencer_OKC]

What part of the country do you live in?

Most of the people I've seen handle guns who are not experienced usually question about the gun being unloaded, and I show them how to check that the firearm is unloaded. They generally do not put their finger on the trigger. While some will inadvertently cover someone while examining the firearm, they do not intentionally point the firearm at anyone.

I live in Oklahoma. I question your locale because I wonder if the lack of exposure in areas of the country that are not as firearm friendly result in clueless handling of guns.

 

[Tallinar]

I always clear my weapon before handing it to anyone. That practice in a way...is a reminder for them to do the same. I also do the same when receiving a weapon from anyone.

+1

Leading by example like this is the best way to get other people to be safe.

 

[22-rimfire]

I was at Bass Pro a while back and was looking at a revolver... they handed it to me after verifying it was unloaded and I did the same. Then a younger lady accuses me of pointing the gun at her and went into a rant.... I didn't point the gun at her, but I left it go. I figured she was having a bad day.

 

[Patriotme]

I agree that most non shooters or new shooters are unsafe. They just don't know what the rules are or they are so excited (nervous) that they forget. Most people have little or no firearms training. They seem to try but if they don't have an experienced person watching them they quickly develop bad habbits.

 

[pacerdude]

A big +1 to the Prof, I add that same fifth rule to my gun safety regiment at home. I know the holster is not a fool-proof safety system, but keeping my gun in the holster makes me feel better.

 

[dbb1776]

Always clear the weapon PERIOD. NEVER point it at something you don't want a hole in.
ALWAYS practice trigger discipline.
Anything else is reckless gun handling.
Self defense and military operations are in a different category. I agree with OP 100 percent.

 

[Gouranga]

Any non-shooters I hang with, will violate the firearm safety rules. This is why when I KNOW I am handing a gun to a non-shooter, I will take the time to educate them. With the shooters I know, I have never had one of them act so carelessly.

 

[Werewolf]

Hell has officially frozen over, the sky is falling and the apocalypse has been scheduled.

I agree with Justin!



The OP is hanging with the wrong crowd but I too have not had his experience. I have noted that behavior in a few but they were always new shooters at a range, most having never handled a gun before and no one had ever explained gun safety to them. Invariably it took less than a couple of minutes to correct the behavior and the shooters were always grateful for the lesson.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I can probably count the individuals on both hands the individuals, other than me, that have "handled" one of my guns. Typically, this would be done during a shooting session with members of my family (one of whom, I will admit, does not know how to handle guns safely) or an instructional session with one of the members of my family.

I would never let someone I know only casually handle one of my guns.

 

[tominct]

Many years ago there was a gun shop down the street from where I worked. I'd occasionally stop in just to look around and talk with the guys there.
One Friday night, one of the regulars was there with his son, maybe 8 or 9 years old. Sara (the owner) was involved in a conversation with some of the other guys when the Dad asked to see a revolver that was in the display case. Sara picked it up and handed it to him, and continued with her discussion.

Small boy: Dad, Miss Sara didn't check to see that the pistol wasn't loaded!!

Dad (embarrassed): Don't worry, Miss Sara knows that all her guns are safe.

Sara: Please don't apologize for me, your son's right, I should have checked it...
(to kid): That was a good observation, I know your Dad's proud to have a son who's so concerned with gun safety.

 

[jbrown50]

I've introduced many new shooters over the years to firearms and I've never experienced what the op has stated.

Four months ago, I introduced a former anti-gun co-worker to firearms. Not one time did she exibit an unsafe act. During her formal training course the instructor actually used her to help with the class.

The few times that I've ever noticed new/inexperienced shooters 'fumbling' at the range I've offered my assistance in helping them to get on track and I don't recall any of them ever getting beligerent with me. I've even assisted young 'gansta' types and haven't been killed, beat up or shot at afterwards.

All I can say is that having a willingness to effectively communicate with people goes a long way. An arrogant know-it-all impatient and superior attitude never gets you anywhere especially when trying to convert new and potentially new firearms owners.

 

[JoeSlomo]

Quote:
I always clear my weapon before handing it to anyone. That practice in a way...is a reminder for them to do the same. I also do the same when receiving a weapon from anyone.
+1

Leading by example like this is the best way to get other people to be safe.

Agree.

 

[DeepSouth]

johntaylorny

I feel your pain. Many, many times I have handed a gun to someone I know has been around guns all their life, then watched them insert a finger in the trigger guard and not pay attn to where it is pointed. Drives me nuts. I have also had people get offended when I corrected them, but so be it.

 

[KodiakBeer]

The broken rule that makes the vein in my forehead really pop up is picking up a firearm with a finger on the trigger.

If you think about it, you can break all the other rules; point a loaded gun at people, etc, but the reality is that if they keep their finger off the trigger everyone is actually safe. The finger-trigger rule is a habit, a bad habit, that even many experienced gunners have. And the "it ain't loaded" excuse is just BS - because if you pick up unloaded guns that way you're just reinforcing a habit that leads to picking up loaded guns in the same fashion.

It seems to be the most commonly broken rule, and is by far the most dangerous.

 

[Top_Gunn]

My impression of the army (second hand, but based on real stuff) is that they are terrific about trigger finger control but sloppy about where the rifle is pointed. I have a fairly recent picture of an airborne infantry platoon in Afghanistan taking a break. Muzzles (including the LT's) pointed everywhere, but no fingers inside the trigger guards. Anybody with first-hand info willing to confirm or deny?

 

[Double Naught Spy]

1. First thing they do, or let's say do not do, is verify the gun is unloaded.

Well, this would be me. Of course, I treat the gun as if it was loaded anyway, so I don't see a problem.

I had a guy get upset with me because I handed him a loaded gun. He watched me load the gun and asked to shoot it then got upset when I gave it to him during which time the muzzle remained pointed down range. He told me that I had broken one of the ten rules of gun safety. Um-k. First things first, he isn't shooting any of my guns again.

So I looked up the ten rules and found all sorts of sets of 10 rules. I found all sorts of rules, many of which overlapped, a bunch that didn't. Here is a sample. I don't think I am capable of complying with all of them all the time.

First set...

1. Assume That Any Gun, at Any Time, is Loaded.
2. Always Point a Gun in a Safe Direction.
3. Keep Your Finger off the Trigger.
4. Know What You're Shooting at.
5. Be Familiar With Your Gun.
6. Don't Shoot at Hard Surfaces (Including Water).
7. Don't Rely on a Safety Mechanism.
8. Load Your Gun When You Need to.
9. Use the Right Ammo.
10. Pay Attention!

Second set...
http://www.thegunzone.com/ten-rules.html

Third set...

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
Don't rely on your gun's safety.
Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
Use proper ammunition.
If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.
Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
Don't alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly.
Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.

Fourth set...
chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/.../TEN%20RULES%20OF%20FIREARM%20SAFETY.ppt

Fifth set...
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_k0700_0091.pdf

Sixth set...
http://www.daisy.com/sweepstakes/tenrules.html

And so on. No reference about not handing a loaded gun to another person. Of course, in all these refs, I don't see any mention of it being a rule to check if a gun is loaded or not. No doubt it isn't a bad idea, but certainly not a requirement. Based on what is on the 'net from various individuals, schools, and companies, there is a lot of variation of what folks think are the proper safety rules.

Of course several state specifically that one should not shoot at flat, hard surfaces. I primarily shoot steel targets and so this violates the rule outright and shooting flat, hard surfaces are the basis of some types of competition. How ironic.

The four basic safety rules codified by Cooper seem to work well enough for me.

 

[The Expert]

Maybe I hang with a different crowd, but I've never seen anyone look down the barrel of a gun without clearing and verifying it is in a safe condition first.

The finger on the trigger thing is all over though. I'm constantly having to tell my wife this when we go to the range. She needs to shoot more so she can get this rule seared into her skull.

 

[killchain]

This is my gun safety philosophy..

The four rules are there for a reason.
But I add a 5th...
"When at home...(assuming not a self-defense situation)...I keep all firearms holstered when others are at home." The holster acts as a secondary "safety". That means...no gun cleaning, no "dry fire" practice, etc. when others are home. I usually wait until I'm alone to do gun cleaning, dry fry practice, etc.

I always clear my weapon before handing it to anyone. That practice in a way...is a reminder for them to do the same. I also do the same when receiving a weapon from anyone.

I practice this as well.

If it's in my house and/or possession, and in a holster, it's loaded.

But regardless, I clear them anyway. Every time, all the time.