Stevie-Ray
Member
I don't know if these words are Cooper's or Greg Morrison's, but I always found the explanation to be haughty and self-righteous. If you insist on being THAT rigid, it leaves no room for cleaning or handing to another person for inspection. And then right after the bold print "All guns are always loaded" it says, if someone hands you a firearm, to check it yourself. If all guns are always loaded, don't you think you should be shrieking "HOW DARE YOU HAND ME A LOADED FIREARM!" I've always followed rule #1 as All guns are always loaded, until proven to all interested parties they are not. This covers everything from cleanings to handoffs.
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it; e.g. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." Unfortunately, the "as if" compromises the directness of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good! Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance.
All guns are always loaded - period!
This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, "Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it. Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal, "I didn't know it was loaded!"