Safety Violation Say Something Or MYOB

Would you point out the safety violation or keep you mouth shut

  • Yes I would point out the safety violation

    Votes: 50 61.0%
  • No I wouldn't involve myself. I'd keep my mouth shut

    Votes: 32 39.0%

  • Total voters
    82
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Trunk Monkey

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Colorado
I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun at his own chest while attempting to show the RDS to another neighbor.

Before thought to keep my big mouth shut I mentioned it was an unsafe act. He assured me that the gun wasn't loaded and I told him that we treat all guns as loaded and he blew it off.

Going forward I don't care if I walk out the door and he's got the gun in his mouth I'm not wasting my time saying a word.

In the same position would you say something or keep your mouth shut.
 
It depends on the situation. In this case I'd have probably said nothing. But it would depend on the person and the type of relationship I have with them. If I felt I could say something tactfully and not make things worse maybe so.
 
I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun.....

Inside city limits, I'm pretty sure this is considered brandishing a deadly weapon. If I saw my neighbors doing something unsafe, I'd be sure to add that into my 2 cents about the safety issue.

The fact that he was pointing it at himself, may warrant pointing out that if anyone were to capture it on a camera, it may be 'Red Flag' worthy with regard to self harm.

Honestly, people waving guns around in my neighborhood isn't something I'm okay with. Often when people do stupid and dangerous stuff, their ego won't allow them to accept others' condemnation of such acts. But no one wants legal problems. So that can occasionally be good leverage, even if only applied subtly.

And given that one ego is already at stake, dropping the thought on them and walking away might be easier for them to take than discussing it to where they may feel they have to defend their actions.
 
I would have said something along the lines of what was said to the guy. Sole purpose being that when he shoots himself I can feel better knowing that I made the attempt which gave him ample opportunity to figure it out on his own. Without making the effort I believe I would have some grief if/when he manages a ND that results in injury.
 
I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun. . .
Where do you live so I can avoid there?

Confronting a idiot with a gun? No thanks.
That's about it.

I do talk to people at the range, but I'm wearing an RSO hat and making a heroic effort to be nice.

At least it's heroic for me, others might not tell the difference.
 
I walked out my front door this morning and observed my idiot neighbor pointing a handgun at his own chest while attempting to show the RDS to another neighbor.

Before thought to keep my big mouth shut I mentioned it was an unsafe act. He assured me that the gun wasn't loaded and I told him that we treat all guns as loaded and he blew it off.

Going forward I don't care if I walk out the door and he's got the gun in his mouth I'm not wasting my time saying a word.

In the same position would you say something or keep your mouth shut.
SADLY = it would be cool to not say anything.

But too many decades teaching firearms safety AND making it a "thing" to ALWAYS be aware of.

I am positive I would say something.

I know that was not the case,BUT if a weapon of any ability to EVER fire ,is pointed or aimed in my direction ----- OH YEA,game on.
 
It would be very difficult to actually improve safety in that situation by saying something. If you say something the guy is probably going to be embarrassed and get defensive. Best case, he drops the issue. Worst case he thinks of it as a slight and holds a grudge.

Saying something about it later, in private, would be an option. But even then, what would you say? ”Hey I wanted you to know that when I saw you pointing a gun at yourself the other day I was worried for a moment. I’m sure the gun was unloaded but from a distance nobody knows that and bullets can travel through a person and hit bystanders. You should always point your gun at a backstop that you know will stop the bullet before it hits anything or anyone you don’t want to damage,” might be seen as a bit passive aggressive.
 
I would err on the side of caution and assume that he is merely doing something stupid. However if there has been a rash of suicides lately, I will act if he is attempting to kill himself and respond as such.
 
I would err on the side of caution and assume that he is merely doing something stupid. However if there has been a rash of suicides lately, I will act if he is attempting to kill himself and respond as such.

I was certain he wasn't trying to kill himself he was describing the RDS to the other guy. I heard that much
 
Bama 59 said,
Yes I would have said something and with his response would also tell him he's an idiot .

Just think of the next time you will want to borrow his pole saw. I'm sure you can think of something more diplomatic, yes?

Some people just can not grasp the concept of "treat them as if they were loaded" and come back with, "but it's not loaded, I just checked it."

Sad.

WrongHanded was heading in the right direction:
And given that one ego is already at stake, dropping the thought on them and walking away might be easier for them to take than discussing it to where they may feel they have to defend their actions.

Planting suggestions is sometimes better than suggesting.

Terry, 230RN
 
Maybe I'm wrong or not "Community Minded" but I've decided I owe the rest of the human race nothing. If I walk out my door tomorrow and he's got that gun IN HIS MOUTH it's not my circus or my monkeys and I'm not saying a word.

When I was in the Army and I had to be a range safety NCO that was one thing but I have never pointed out an unsafe act ITRW and not been told to <removed by moderator> and I'm going to try really hard never to do it again.
 
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Safety is everyone's responsibility all the time. I usually start with "Would you mind a suggestion?" I would also appreciate someone pointing out any safety violation I may commit, because after 64 years around guns, it is not impossible for me to have a lapse in concentration.
 
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