I stand by my point. If I am actively handling a weapon, I make sure what it is pointing at is something I would intend to shoot vs. something I don’t intend to shoot. A wall, floor, the ground or other inanimate object is much more innocuous than something animate or precious. Of course you have to keep in mind what is behind the wall or floor or other inanimate object (be aware of your surroundings).
If a weapon I am handling is going to discharge (whether by intent or accident), then what I am actively pointing at should be something I am ok with discharging any weapon I am handling into.
I like how another poster put it, something that won’t cause grief if you shoot it, or something like that.
The wall or floor or ground is not something you are actually intending to shoot. But you are actively aware that you are pointing it in a safe direction.
See, it is the unintentional firing that is the problem, right? So you want to be pointing at something “safe” just in case you fire it unintentionally.
I know, we’re talking semantics, but I like the process. :)