Poor gun handling as a training tool?

[NWGlocker]

Don't get me wrong-- I am not endorsing handling a gun any other way except in a safe manner. My thought for the day is-- do you remember how you reacted the last time you were swept or muzzled by someone? There are numerous internet posts about idiots at public ranges, or the noob in a gun store that points the (

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hopefully) unloaded pistol everywhere in the shop except at the sign that says "AIM HERE".

Last time I remember, I was muzzled in a firearm shop. I instinctively side-stepped. Maybe I didn't do enough-- I probably could have mored a lot more. I probably should've gotten lower. I don't want to go overboard though-- I'd look worse than the dumb gun handler if I yelled, "GET DOWN!".

But as part of the impromptu drill, at least I didn't back away along the line where the muzzle was pointed. I hope that this continues to be instinctive and I also hope that this doesn't happen again...but it probably will.

Can you remember how you acted around a poor gun handler? What did you do and what would you have done differently?

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[cyclopsshooter]

I have at least one pointed at me every week- I check every one before I hand it over and if they sweep me I ask them to watch where they point it. Most are highly embarrassed once they realize the significance of their oversight.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have finally found myself to have enough mature appearance (and rank) to tell anyone to watch their freakin' muzzle and not get scoffed at.

I use blue guns as training tools to demonstrate how not to do things. (In an NRA course, however, you aren't supposed to do that either.)

 

[conw]

Damn right it's good assertiveness and awareness training.

If you're >4' from the muzzle and have occasion to, say something to the person muzzling you. It's 100% unacceptable 100% of the time. Oh and yeah, you should be moving.

If you're 3-4' or less, go hands on the gun to avert it to a safe direction, because you just got muzzled by a gun that you should rightly assume is loaded. You don't need to cop an attitude but I would argue that it's 100% legally justified, every single time.

Yes, you need some training in how to do this, and I'm not going to stand in front of a class of beginning CHP students and give this advice, but being aware and skilled and assertive enough to bypass, deal with, or avert a muzzling situation safely - in such a way that it addresses the safety issue of being muzzled as adequately as possible short of never being around guns being handled by others - is something to aspire to.

I know there are some people who wouldn't be able to pull this off without starting a fight. I think those are guys who need "politeness" and "deescalation" skills.

 

[CVA-66]

I was in a gun store out of state and saw a potential customer handle several guns and every time he got his hand on it, he put his finger on the trigger. I was waiting for the salesman to say something, but then again he's probably on commission. I finally said that he was developing a very bad and potentially short lived habit, and that if I ever saw him at a range, I would leave.

 

[bikerdoc]

Im old enough and grizzed looking enough to not to be polite.

 

[bergmen]

What conwict said. I don't just step out of the way (I used to do that but the "sweeper" doesn't always get the clue. I say something (not yelling but somewhat forceful) to "watch the muzzle" or something in that nature. If close enough, I physically move the muzzle to point in a safe direction often using the back of my hand in a sweeping motion (not aggressive, no need to be).

Dan