“The first thing I would do if I came across a gun would be to clear the thing.”
That’s because you like most Freepers understand basic firearm safety.
For the few Freepers and/or lurkers who don’t here are the rules:
(1) EVERY firearm should be considered loaded until you PERSONALLY clear it. This includes even seeing a friend clear it and hand it to you. YOU CLEAR IT YOURSELF. (Actually had a friend “clear” a shotgun, but there was a shell in the chamber he missed. Found that out when I cleared it.)
(2) NEVER point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
(3) NEVER place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.
Note: A few variations of these rules exist. They cover the same basic points though.
I’m going to add a non-standard rule:
(4) PRACTICE with your firearms, so if the unfortunate time comes you need to do so, you are competent.