What should a non-gun owner know about guns?

[pax]

What do you think a non-gun owner, who has no guns in the household, should know about guns?

Similarly, what should someone who lives with a gun owner know about firearms?

What are the absolute, minimal things these folks need to know in order to stay safe in a world where guns exist?

Please leave politics out of your answers, and stick to practical, concrete specifics these folks should know (such as what to do about a found gun, or ...?)

pax

 

[Geronimo45]

The four rules are a great starting place. If you find a gun where one probably shouldn't be, call the police. The owner may be a forgetful LEO, or a CCW'er, or a thug with memory loss - the cops can handle returning it to the owner.

 

[Hemicuda]

For non-gun owners living with SO's who have guns...

Starting with the 4 rules, add in a but of BASIC info on action types and how to "check for safe" as in how to unload and or check the chambers in a BASIC way with the guns that are in the house...

this needs to be a kind of simplified thing, and not the specific stuff we are used to here on THR/TFL...

they need enough info to be informed and not afraid of guns...

 

[General Geoff]

I actually have tenants who live in my house who are not gun owners, but I have many guns, as does another tenant of mine.

I've shown them some of my weapons (both long guns and pistols), and instructed them that if, for whatever reason, they find themselves in possession of them, to ALWAYS keep their finger off the trigger, ALWAYS keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and ALWAYS assume that it's loaded. I keep all my guns in my own (locked) room, so I'm not too concerned with friends they bring over. They know that the guns are not toys.

 

[QuestionEverything]

Guns cannot fire unless the trigger is pulled or, in some cases, unless they're dropped or receive a very sharp blow. I've talked to some people who assume that a gun can randomly "go off" when handled.

If a round is thrown into a fire or the powder is otherwise ignited outside a gun barrel, the bullet will pop out with very little force and the powder will burn away harmlessly. Bullets must be propelled down a barrel to acquire lethal velocity.

Having a bunch of accessories stuck on it does not make a gun any more deadly. Its damaging power is determined by the size and type of bullet fired, the cartridge load and the length of the barrel.

 

[10-Ring]

1st - guns are not dangerous in and of themselves.
2nd - guns can be safe if you follow basic simple rules

 

[Abby]

Agree with the above posters.

- The Four Rules
- How to check if a firearm is loaded
- How to unload common action types

But really, with the exception of walking into a strange situation in which both children and guns are present, the old Eddie Eagle routine would probably keep most folks from hurting themselves.

I guess I'm trying to think of things that would be useful for babysitters, housesitters, that sort of thing.

 

[Gord]

+1 10-Ring.

They need to know that a gun is not a mythical object of destruction that can "go off" just by being present. There is no way a gun (that is in good mechanical condition) will fire unless the trigger is pulled. [Leaving out the drop-or-sharp-blow bit as modern designs have minimized this risk, and the first action upon coming into contact with a gun should be to check and unload anyway, or to leave the area if they don't feel safe doing that.]

My future live-in girlfriend/wife/whatever may not enjoy guns - that is a fact I am okay with - but they are going to have to learn how to safely handle and unload any weapons I have in case there is ever a need to do so.

The instinctual response to a "found gun" outside the home would be to call the police - a "found gun" inside the home that doesn't belong to another family member will be covered under safe handling/unloading, but honestly how often do people leave guns behind when they move?

 

[General Geoff]

People who are not residents but who nevertheless do visit a premises with guns on a regular basis should be taught the four basic rules, and should remember that A gun is an inanimate object. It WILL NOT go off or harm anyone or anything on its own. If in doubt, just leave it alone.

 

[Warren]

That the vast majority of gunowners are law abiding and that therefore, regardless of what the non-gun person may have heard, the gun or accessory they are looking at is likely not illegal and the police need not be called.

That most gun ownwers will gladly teach them how to safely operate and fire the weapons. And that there is nothing to be worried about as long as the rules are followed.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

A Little Perspective

Guns provide a healthy extroversion.

People are calmer, more relaxed, have better morale when they're extroverted. It improves focus and steadies the mind.

Guns provide a way to direct attention and action outward, without the physical stress imposed by, say, bowling. In fact, if you're shooting .22 it's cheaper than bowling.

And definitely cheaper than golf.

It can be enjoyed by people who aren't physically capable of either bowling or golf.

Shooting is excellent therapy.

An added benefit is that it's also a survival skill, and can be used for self defense. The tools of golf and bowling just can't compare.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

The Four Rules, and enough of the basic physics, operational concepts, and vocabulary to seperate fact from fiction in media and movies, and to make educated, rational decisions about legislation.

 

[qlajlu]

I am confused...

Pax, why would you, of all people, ask a question like that? Your Web site has the most inclusive information concerning firearms as any I have ever viewed. Your question certainly doesn't come from your lack of knowledge about firearms, so what is the reason behind the question?

 

[BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE]

I think that all non gun owners should know that they might one day need one and its probably in there best interest to own one and know how to use it, even get training on it and practice regularly.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Why . . . ask a question like that?

Uhm, not to HINT or anything . . .

Maybe she's gathering data for her book?

 

[AStone]

Pax, why would you, of all people, ask a question like that?

Because she is an intelligent and wise person who understands that,
like any person, she could have overlooked a concern of non-gun owners
that needs to be addressed so as to help reduce irrational fears
of the "average person" about guns.
_________

Pax,

Great thread. Nice job, as always.

My 2c.

Four rules, of course, (which you do so well),
perhaps enhanced by why they are important.

(Those of us who've owned and shot guns for decades understand them,
including those occasional learning experiences that we'd rather not
have had. But those new to guns may not "get it",
so an explanation of why the rules are revered may be useful.
This particularly applies to fence sitters
to let them know that most gun owners are responsible.)

Add to that a short essay on the fact that the world is full of guns, and that no amount of "wave the magic wand and they'll all go away" will make them disappear, that the genie is out of the bottle, that Pandora has opened the box, and "if you can't beat them, join them" is the best strategy (for you and your kids to stay alive).

If I was writing such an educational endeavor, I'd also add the point that, if something extraordinarily bad happened (SHTF due to snow/ice storm, hurricane, terrorist attack, etc, or if civilization came to a screeching halt due to some unlikely and unforeseen event ( ), and given that we - as life forms - must eat and defend ourselves against parasites, even those of our own species, guns can be tools as useful as hammers and saws.

Lastly, I think I'd add something about the zen of shooting, the fact that when squeezing off a rnd to hit a 2" circle 100 m away, there's a certain meditative element that one must culture that's akin to a Buddhist mantra or a Christian (or Muslim or Jewish or pagan warrior) prayer to God.

Let's face facts. Non-gun owners haven't yet seen the importance of gun ownership, of having these valuable tools in their toolkit as necessary to survival as pots, pans, knives, forks, clothing, water and food.

Anything one can do to convince them that guns are as important
(if not more so) as forks, pots and clothes will help.

Hope this helps. Good luck, and thanks for continuing to be a role model for responsible gun owners.

Nem

 

[cmidkiff]

#1) Guns are _not_ snakes. It will not jump up and bite you.
#2) If you don't know operating procedures for a particular gun, it is far safer to leave it where it is than to pick it up.
#3) Eddy Eagle for the young ones.
#4) The 4 rules.

 

[Fly320s]

What are the absolute, minimal things these folks need to know in order to stay safe in a world where guns exist?

I think that the most important thing to know about guns, for someone who doesn't know about guns, is admitting that you don't know about guns. Clear as mud, right?

One of the biggest problems people have, especially men, is admitting ignorance. Ignorance is perceived as a weakness by many even though it shouldn't be. Ignorance is just a lack of knowledge on a specific subject. It does not equate to intelligence. The real weakness is succumbing to peer pressure, or self-induced pressure that leads to a dangerous situation.

Most people don't want to disclose their weaknesses, real or imaginary, to anyone, especially friends and family. So instead of saying, "I don't know anything about guns," Ignorant Eddie says, "Yeah, I know how to handle guns" right before he blows a hole in his foot.

So, I would tell someone who has admitted being ignorant about firearms to leave them alone if found, as a gun can't fire itself.

If the non-gunny wants or needs to learn about guns, then he should get good, solid training from a reliable source. Just the basics will be enough to assure safety. That training could be in person at a shooting range, or via the internet with detailed instructions and photos, or via printed books.

Now, for anyone that is likely to come in contact with a gun, then he should at least know the Four Rules and how to safely move or secure any gun if necessary. That just means moving the guns away from Eddie Junior, not actually attempting to unload or otherwise make the gun safe.

 

[pax]

glajlu ~

I'm in the process of adding a couple pages to the site (& extensively re-working the rest). One of the pages I thought I should add is an article expressly for women who are NOT gun owners and aren't going to become gun owners. Maybe they find the site because they are just curious, or maybe someone pushed them there, or maybe they are just concerned about bf/husband/roommate's gun ownership. Whatever the reason, they aren't gun owners, but are willing to read just this one article. What should be in it?

Wanted to be sure I had gotten most of the important safety stuff covered & wasn't missing anything on the practical level. (Btw, Arfin & Nem, good points about the 'zen' of shooting. Hadn't thought to add that, but I think I will...)

Won't have that article up for at least another couple weeks, soonest. But needed some fresh perspectives on the question to stir my creative muse.

Besides, admit it makes an interesting thread!

pax

 

[svtruth]

Seems analogous to

driving. A person may not own a car, but not knowing how to drive is a big disadvantage.
Plus, adding new skills keeps enlarging and enriching one's understanding of the world. A benefit that will definitely accrue to the learner, irrespective of whether they become a gun owner or not.

 

[mdao]

• The Three Fundamental NRA Gun Safety Rules
• How to check and unload common actions

Rather similar to Abby's suggestions, but one less rule. pax did say "absolute" and "minimal"...

The reason I chose the NRA's Gun Safety Rules over Cooper's Four Rules is because non-gun owners are highly unlikely to be shooters. As such, they have little need for the Four Rule's emphasis on shooting and a greater need for the NRA's emphasis on making guns safe for handling by idiots/children.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Hey Pax,
I think it's a good thread too.

I think the bare minimum that everyone should know (gun owner or non gun owner)

1) That guns are tools and use depends on the user.
2) That legitimate self defense is legitimate self defense REGARDLESS of the tool used and there should be no extra shame attached if the tool was a gun.
3) Jeff Coopers four rules. (and be able to recite them by heart).
4) The proper way to safely pick up and hold each basic type of firearm.
5) The appropriate response(s) to finding an unknown firearm (one that may have been lost or one that may have been "ditched").
6) What kind of damage a firearm can REALLY do and why it's absolutely the last resort.
7) The full implications of irresponsible behavior with a firearm.

(EDIT: Oh, and that products from Hollywood are dramatized FICTION written to entertain NOT educate. :banghead: )

 

[Eleven Mike]

One of the pages I thought I should add is an article expressly for women who are NOT gun owners and aren't going to become gun owners.

Simple: Just like Eddie Eagle, but go and tell a Man. We'll take care of you women-folk.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Better watch it Eleven Mike, Pax is gonna open a can o' whoop on you

 

[pax]

Eleven Mike ~

You won't do.

pax