Neighbor hands me a pistol pointed at self.

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With a knife, you always hand it HILT first, holding the blade if it's naked. In part to show that you have no hostile intent etc.
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But a knife poses no danger beyond the tip of the blade. It is not unsafe to POINT a knife at someone.
 
It is no more unsafe to point a handgun with a locked slide at someone. It is not a habit to get into ... but it will not kill them.
 
I had a US Army Ranger point his M4 at my face while showing me how bright the light on it was. I know for a fact that it was loaded with one in the chamber too. Made me a bit uncomfortable but I wasn't about to "let him have it" that's for sure. Acceptable gun safety practices can vary widely depending on what company you're in and it doesn't necessarily have to do with the amount of training or proficiency the person has.
 
Are you sure he wasn't setting you up for the "road agent flip". This is a trick where it appears you are turning your weapon over to someone. Then it drops and is hooked on your trigger finger. Then you just flip your wrist and around the gun comes, right into your hand. It has been around for more than 100 years and does work with some semi-auto pistols as well as revolvers.
 
I had a US Army Ranger point his M4 at my face while showing me how bright the light on it was. I know for a fact that it was loaded with one in the chamber too. Made me a bit uncomfortable but I wasn't about to "let him have it" that's for sure. Acceptable gun safety practices can vary widely depending on what company you're in and it doesn't necessarily have to do with the amount of training or proficiency the person has.
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Good plan, folks in uniform are always of sound mind, and have never injured or killed inadvertantly. I trust myself with my life, but I'm not about to point a loaded firearm at myself.

I can't believe you would let someone point a loaded weapon at your face and you just smile and thank them for shining a light in your face....brilliant.

...rethinking going to the public range this weekend/
 
HGUNHNTR said:
Good plan, folks in uniform are always of sound mind, and have never injured or killed inadvertantly. I trust myself with my life, but I'm not about to point a loaded firearm at myself.

I can't believe you would let someone point a loaded weapon at your face and you just smile and thank them for shining a light in your face....brilliant.

...rethinking going to the public range this weekend/
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I didn't "let" him do it. It did take me a bit off guard, thats for sure. I'm not really sure what me yelling at him or something after the fact would have done. I was 27 and he'd been in the military since the year I was born. Maybe I'd respond different next time.
 
Hey guys,

Using the big voice, like shooting, is an exercise of a power which is needed sometimes, and is fun to practice - but like shooting, it's something to use with restraint. If somebody sweeps me or mine at a public range, I'm going to get their attention right now - but if it's a safety violation which doesn't immediately threaten me or mine, I'm going to say something like "hey guys, sorry to bother you, but you should know that.... I'd really rather you didn't do that here, and the range officers or other shooters might... "

I think the original poster handled his situation pretty well.

One example I think I handled well was years ago, in a beginning shotgun class, when one of the other students (standing next to me) tried to sweep my face with a gun which I was pretty sure (not 100.0%) was unloaded: I grabbed the barrel so he didn't sweep me, and when he looked around to see why his gun was stuck I said something like "please don't EVER do that again."

Part of teaching is to get their attention, but another part is to get their respect.

Lots of people just don't know about safety rules, and will respond immediately if you give them even a little bit of explanation. I've got sympathy for beginners, because I was one too.
 
I know that offers to shoot other peoples iron at the range are meant in a friendly sharing kind of way (and frankly I'm a bit surprised how readily complete strangers make the offer). But none the less, I usually decline the offer and simply say "I'm all set" or "no thanks" if it's a stranger (or even if it's an acquaintance, but I'm not interested in the gun).

I'll look at the piece (while in their hands or on the bench), smile and say something like "very nice" if they want to show it to me. But usually decline shooting or handling it.

That's just me. I mind my own business with people I don't know.

On the flip side, I have made friends and acquaintances at the range, and after knowing them, will accept the offer to shoot their piece (if I'm interested).

Got to try a competition Anschutz .22 LR... which weighed about 12 lbs, single shot, precision adjustable peeps and about a 1/2 lb. trigger. He puts his groups in dime size holes at 50 yds and quarter size groups at 100. Very interesting rifle. I have also had the treat of shooting a S&W .22 LR revolver with a very, very nice trigger job.
 
Owen Sparks I have to ask is this the same neighbor which fired a stray bullet between you and another neighbor? This is the second time you have posted that a "neighboor" has had a gun related safety issue.
 
The colsest thing I have ever seen was at a gun store. Wanted to look at a pistol, clerk reached into the cabinat and went to hand it to me. Barrel was point away from him, and he did hand it butt first...but I put my hands in the air and said, slide open please...you really don't know about a C&R consignment pistol at a LGS if it has been checked out properly or not....

I have set up a pistol for some of the grandkids to shoot, loaded, one in the pipe, safely on, and pointed down range and on the work bench. But then the grandkids know, grandpa gets upset if the barrel ever points anywhere except down range towards the backstop.
 
rellascout asked:
Owen Sparks I have to ask is this the same neighbor which fired a stray bullet between you and another neighbor? This is the second time you have posted that a "neighboor" has had a gun related safety issue.
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No, but it was this young man's Mom who almost got hit by the stray bullet while talking to me.
 
Always ask them to clear the gun, or lay it down, and then you pick it up. This isn't a hard situation to deal with. You know the rules. Apply them.
 
When I hand over a gun, I check and clear the gun. Lock the slide back or cylinder out. Then hand it while holding the slide or hole where the cylinder is with the barrel pointing down grip first.
 
When at the range surrounded by people I always point the gun up(and hand it to someone that way with slide open).

Some argue down but given a straight up stray round will fall with stinging velocity a ricochet of the ground could kill I choose up.
 
OP is extrapolating things a little far.

What your neighbor did is exactly how you hand a weapon of ANY kind to someone, to show them you have no ill intent. You hand someone a knife handle first, you hand someone a pair of scissors handles first, and you hand someone a baseball bat handle first.

Yea, he should have cleared it first, in front of you. Maybe mention that (or better yet, SHOW him that) instead of getting worked up about the infallible and unbending rules of St.Cooper.
 
I would have said, "Yes, thanks, I would love to handle your gun, but I don't want to touch it while it is pointed at you."

A civil conversation about safety might follow and you would not have done anything unsafe. And you would maintain a friendly relationship with a neighbor who shares your interest.

Diplomacy should be tried first. You can always escalate to war if necessary.
 
What your neighbor did is exactly how you hand a weapon of ANY kind to someone, to show them you have no ill intent. You hand someone a knife handle first, you hand someone a pair of scissors handles first, and you hand someone a baseball bat handle first.

Yea, he should have cleared it first, in front of you. Maybe mention that (or better yet, SHOW him that) instead of getting worked up about the infallible and unbending rules of St.Cooper.
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More of this!

I get "minding your own business" but I swear, sometimes I think some of us folks may be a bit too ... cautious around people?
 
I will add my agreement to those who say proper edicate is butt first with a gun that is cleared and has the slide locked or the cylinder open. If the slide didn't lock or cylinder doesn't swing out I would pull the mag and clear the chamber or clear the cylinder and lower the hammer and leave the gate open. With a long gun clear and hand at port arms.
 
He said “here, try it.” and hands me pistol grip first with the barrel pointed right at his chest. In order for me to take the pistol I would have to violate all four basic safety rules.
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You would have to put your finger on the trigger?
 
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