My first Negligent Discharge -hopefully my last

[SARDiver]

He has his safes in the garage and it was a safe direction aswell, no one was in danger. But yes by your post you called anyone that has a ND an idiot considering you said that they should never own a gun and never should touch one again.

I've read the tit-for-tat about whether someone should own or use a weapon after an ND, and have conflicted feelings about it myself, actually. I've never had one, but know several who have. These are good shooters, but I can never again say they always obey the safety rules.

I'm a Master Diver and have a rule that I have regrettably had to stand behind a time or two: I won't ever dive with someone who has run out of air. Ever. There is really no excuse for it, and it shows an inattention to detail. When you run your gas tanks dry, you put yourself at risk...but you also put your buddy at risk, since he may count on the air in your tank in an emergency. It also shows you don't pay attention to what you're doing, let alone what your buddy is doing.

I thought of that for the first time tonight, and although I can't really prevent someone who has had an ND from shooting competition, it's tough to get over the thought that they have, for one reason or another, not paid sufficient attention to something that could kill themselves or others.

While the notion that someone with an ND on their record is an "idiot", either stated explicitly or implicitly, is a bit unfair, I don't think it's unfair to cast a very skeptical eye on them from that point forward. I can understand where that viewpoint comes from. Doesn't matter if the ND was caused by age, or if they have operated ND-free for 50 years. Only takes one careless act.

 

[Russ Jackson]

He has his safes in the garage and it was a safe direction aswell, no one was in danger. But yes by your post you called anyone that has a ND an idiot considering you said that they should never own a gun and never should touch one again.

Could you please show me where I called him an idiot?...Russ

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

But yes by your post you called anyone that has a ND an idiot considering you said that they should never own a gun and never should touch one again.

What I said, someone that shouldn't own a gun is an idiot in most cases and considering how you said they should give away their guns and never touch one again kinda means something.

 

[kd7nqb]

You manned up and learned dont do it again and your fine. But dropping the mag seems like standard practice when checking a semi-auto but I am sure you know that now.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Could you please show me where I called him an idiot?...

Well anyone who had an ND was an idiot--just like I was; whether they still are after the ND is up to them.

A former self is a fool, an insufferable ass, but he's still human, you 'd no more turn him out than you'd turn out any kind of cripple, would you?
--Thomas Pynchon

 

[duns]

I would guess less than one percent of the people on this forum have experienced an accidental discharge caused by personal neglect to follow basic safety procedures.

There is currently a poll on this at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=607355&highlight=poll. At the moment, 39% admit to having had an ND.

 

[we are not amused]

He has his safes in the garage and it was a safe direction aswell, no one was in danger. But yes by your post you called anyone that has a ND an idiot considering you said that they should never own a gun and never should touch one again.

Don't let Russ get to you, he has the same line on all NDs. I am of the opinion that if someone firmly believes it can't happen to him, then he is not being as safe as he could be. He would even have taken Jeff Coopers guns away from him if he could! Fortunately he can't.

 

[SSN Vet]

I am of the opinion that if someone firmly believes it can't happen to him, then he is not being as safe as he could be.

Saying "it can't happen to me" is, imo, either a statement of ego or ignorance.

Saying "it's not going to happen to me" is an expression of the purpose of ones will.

SARdiver may appreciate/relate to this little expression that we often used back in my sea faring days... "not on my watch!"

Unfortunately, even when the spirit is willing, the body is often weak (forgetful, lazy, etc...)

What to do with a "fallen" brother?

Personally, I've received a lot of grace in my life, and I try to show it to others.

As was often said to people who received grace.... "go and sin (screw up) no more"

 

[Russ Jackson]

Don't let Russ get to you, he has the same line on all NDs. I am of the opinion that if someone firmly believes it can't happen to him, then he is not being as safe as he could be. He would even have taken Jeff Coopers guns away from him if he could! Fortunately he can't.

I would'nt say never as just about anything is possible. But 99% of all the ND's listed could be avoided by following the basics. It also appears that people need a ND to wake up and pay attention. Proper training from a young age is critical. If you have an ND one must look at the way they handle firearms and realize that whatever they are doing isnt working. Get into a gun saftey class. I wouldn't fire a gun without a dry fire snap cap. You could easily buy snap caps for all your guns for the price of the dry wall repairs you all have to do after firing these unloaded firearms. Today people make excuses for there actions. What posesses someone to text while driving, drink and drive, not check a gun before firing, have unprotected sex, etc... Your ND could have KILLED someone. Man up and pay attention and account for your actions. Don't shoot the messenger...Russ

 

[mark1616]

Opinions are like children; everyone thinks theirs are the best. Facts are like other people's children; whether you like them or not does'nt matter, you can't change them.

Face the facts, recognize the opinions, and encourage or admonish without ego.