Posted on 12/30/2016 10:24:53 AM PST by Timpanagos1
The author of the article makes a grievous and fatal flaw in assigning the cause. Putting a dangerous instrument into someone's control is mot a matter of intelligence. It is a matter of qualification and training.
Actually, the writer is not really a reporter. He Makes several assumptions not warranted by the information he has. I don't think I'd want to go hunting with this guy, either.
Yep - my Dad taught me well and I never hand a gun to anyone without clearing it first. I also ask the owner of a gun to clear it before handing it to me. Always assume the person you are handing a gun to is an idiot until they prove different.
One of my pet peeves against Hollywood is when I see actors portraying military or LEOs in action 'sweeping' the business end of a firearm across the man in front of them upon entering a room.
Such habits are quickly pounded out of trainees or they are washed out of the class. The stakes are simply too high to permit such unsafe practices.
You get complacent at his age, until you know otherwise always assume every firearm you handle is loaded, I’m sure he’s said it to others thousands of times...God rest his soul
You have to be strict with it or these are your results. One of my uncles was exactly the same as you and everyone always knew full well the kind of respect that was demanded in it.
Its a source of pride to be able to share family treasures with others but you have to treat the matter with the seriousness of life itself.
All firearms carried personally are always holstered. Never drawn or tinkered with in the house.
Pawing at and oogeling over stored guns is with the castle owner’s express permission (if you catch me in a good mood) and strict supervision.
Gun clubs, gun stores, other people houses, I have pissed off numerous folks for jacking them on unsafe gun handling.
Not sorry Im an asshole about it. I just dont want to be the one getting shot.
What kind of a moron hands a loaded weapon to a child?
I am not saying the guy deserved to die, but I would not hand a loaded gun to ANYONE I was not intimate with.
I am not for gun control. I am for common sense.
Unless I personally have had prior gun handling experience with someone,I always assume that they have absolutely no knowledge of gun safety and thus, no ammo in the gun or even nearby...and it is S.O.P. to open the bolt or break it open so the chamber is visibly vacant. Never hand a loaded gun to anyone, experienced or not. And never point a gun at a person unless you intend to kill them!
I like this set of rules, because they tell you what to do, not what NOT to do.
1.) ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2.) ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3.) ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Injuries from accidental discharges can happen, but if one follows these rules, it is exceedingly rare, almost impossible, even with defective equipment. A common thread when looking at firearm accidents (that I have looked at) is that at least one of these is always violated, sometimes all three.
I don’t want to paint this kid in a bad way because we don’t know the info, but if the shooting wasn’t an intentional act, one or more of these was ignored.
A 16 year old is not a child.Or should not be considered one.I have to consider this might not be an accident.
It was one of my favorite scenes in “The Pacific” series, when the Marines were in Pavuvu on the gun range practicing, and one of the shavetails was waving his .45 around in the manner you described, and the Gunny stormed over and tore him a new one.
Agreed. I don’t have a problem with bringing someone to a range, giving them all the prerequisites, asking them questions to verify they understand the process, and giving them control of a weapon to fire down range. I have done that with friends and family.
That it might not be an accident is an allusion I made in previous post, but specifically said due to the lack of information, it is something that must be kept in mind.
Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar, and it is possible the guy handed the teenager a loaded gun without the requisite groundwork being laid, and the kid did what he has seen people in Hollywood do a gazillion times resulting in a fatal injury. People forget the ground rules, or ignore them when they become complacent, comfortable, or...old.
4. Do not trust the safety.
Absolutely...or put in the same format:
4.) ALWAYS assume the safety does NOT work.
I always clear a gun before turning it over or after picking it up - even if the other guy cleared before he gave it to me.
Magazine removed. Chamber(s) empty. Gun is ‘loaded’ until this is done.
Might make me look like an ass, but I’m 55 and have never had a negligent discharge.
But now I’ve gone and jinxed it, I guess.
A gun ain’t unloaded unloaded until you have removed the magazine and visually inspected the chamber(s).
MC Harmon was a staunch conservative in this increasingly leftist state. He is a loss that will not easily be filled.
My condolences to his family.
What does that leave? Twelve conservatives in Maine?
According to every state I’ve ever lived in they are.
My point is that there is no need to show anyone a firearm that’s loaded. Unless it’s a bad guy.
Did it say what kind of pistol it was?
Oh,I know legally at this time and country , a human one day less than 18 years of age is considered a child.It is just that such ignores the physical reality.The ancient Romans and Jews thought 13 years was enough to be held responsible for one’s acts;I concur.Now a 13 tear old may not be wise ,or been taught to be responsible ;same for a 17 year old. That is when the parent or guardian should be called to task.
I was handling rifles at ten.
i agree that 16 year olds used to be responsible. Clearly, this kid was an exception.
Corrected it for you.
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