The gun is ALWAYS loaded.

[MTC]

I agree, and do understand why it was put together that way.

I just don't like being grouped in with the lowest-common denominator and made to recite a dogmatic rule that doesn't make any sense to a thinking person.

If "all guns are always loaded" then how does anyone clear them for disassembly? Or dry fire? Or shipping?

The important part is how we treat and handle them. And we should do that as if they were loaded, even if they aren't.

[/semantics rant]

"What we are dealin' with here ... is a failure to communicate." J/K

No need to take offense or feel like your intelligence is being insulted. And you're certainly not being forced to recite anything. Although you are a man of great patience, one day something or someone will say or ask a question you've gone over and over for the umpteenth time, and you'll finally blurt out, "Damn it! The gun is always loaded!"

And then it will hit you. That's why.

 

[Mosinowner]

What do you think? Would you still point it at your head and pull the trigger? What if you were wrong? What if you made a mistake? Any time you ask "what if?" then you're introducing dangerous, possibly deadly, variables. If you always ALWAYS treat a gun as if it's loaded, then you're much less likely to accidentally murder someone.

Good point.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

What if you have inspected the chamber with your own eyes? Then dry fire the rifle in a safe direction? Then what?

Then sand barrel, See Rule #1 and Rule #4.





The gun's only got one job.

If "all guns are always loaded" then how does anyone clear them for disassembly? Or dry fire? Or shipping?

By following all the safety rules.

The important part is how we treat and handle them. And we should do that as if they were loaded, even if they aren't.

API tried this treating stuff in the late '70s (when this was the only rule). It did not work.

The Four Rules were then created. Treating does not drive home the point and gives rise to a Cledus Factor.

 

[cobber]

I don't agree he shot himself accidentally. An accident is unforeseeable. This was foreseeable.

Better would be for the media to speak of negligent shootings. Like smoking when you pump gas. Accident? I think not.

 

[MTC]

... gives rise to a Cledus Factor.

Now he's given it a name.

Tune in tonight on The Cletus Factor.

"By gawd, you ain't gawna tell me howda handle mah gunz!"
"Ah don't need no fancy-pants lawyer or one o' them thar 'structor types a'tellin' me 'bout safety. Ah done toldja it wudn't loaded! So I'll point it whar I wawnt to!"
<Blam!>

 

[sepe]

My firearms are ALL safe 100% of the time. I've welded the barrels and chambers closed and would never think of having ammo anywhere near me. That stuff is dangerous.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

"By gawd, you ain't gawna tell me howda handle mah gunz!"

I'm not one for fancy gun skul learnin' but . . . (wait for it) . . . I've been around gunz ALL MY LIFE and I am very safe and *bang* . . . . . . sorry, Jasper.

Cledus Factor=the potential of having your backside set on fire via dumbassery with firearms.

 

[ATM]

"Rule #1" is simply a mantra, not a truth. It's only a memory aid to encourage one to be mindful of the actual rules, 2-4. Logically, it's just silly.

It is completely unnecessary, as rules 2-4 are all that are required to avoid firearm negligence. If they were followed for all firearms, the loaded ones and the unloaded ones, then it wouldn't matter if it was loaded when you swore it wasn't, you wouldn't be breaking rules 2-4 anyway, right?

I have no real problem with those who like to repeat the mantra, but I don't think it's keeping anyone safe.

 

[bwframe]

Lots and lots of otherwise intelligent folks don't actually believe that the piece of metal is actually a gun/firearm until it's loaded. Thus, in their mind, it can be handled as any other inanimate object or piece of machinery.
THIS is why rule number one is SO important.

 

[cobber]

Im affraid all those "accidents" happen because people learn gun safety from TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guyELrUR6Gw

A bit of profanity in the second video, mods dont hammer me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIVbuqsjgvw

That first clip makes me cringe. I think only an anti-gunner would find that humorous. And you're right, people are forming opinions based on nonsense like that.

 

[Sylvain]

That first clip makes me cringe. I think only an anti-gunner would find that humorous. And you're right, people are forming opinions based on nonsense like that.

I found it quite humorous and im not really the anti-gunner type.
Not sure if im the only one here and if I should feel bad about that or not.

But I know it's movie stuff, I would not find it humorous at all if someone did that for real in front of me of course.

 

[pudly]

But I know it's movie stuff, I would not find it humorous at all if someone did that for real in front of me of course.

Ummm... Someone did do it for real, just in front of a camera.

 

[snowrs]

What if the gun is in Condition Butterscotch? Is it then safe to assume thegun is unloaded?

 

[Sylvain]

Ummm... Someone did do it for real, just in front of a camera.

I know but it's not just an idiot who picked a gun not knowing if it was empty or not.
They most likely had an armorer or gunsmith on the set that checked the gun more than once to make sure it was unloaded.
It was probably not a real gun who could really fire anyway.

That's not "for real" for me, even if the actor pointed the barrel at his head and pulled the trigger.

That's the difference bewteen movies and real life, I know the difference and that's why I can find it funny.

The scary part is when people dont know the difference and think that it's fine to do something they saw in a movie.
People think they know how to shoot a gun safely because they see their favorite actor shooting fake guns on TV.
I know that watching Bruce Willis shooting guns in movie is not like taking a firearm class and I know that the real deal has nothing to do with with what I see on TV.

 

[Hayseed_40]

If the rules were that important, they would be in the so called INGO FAQ section, as in "When is a gun considered loaded" and "Should the finger always be on the trigger" and "If I want to kill something, which way should teh gun be pointed", etc...

 

[Sylvain]

If the rules were that important, they would be in the so called INGO FAQ section, as in "When is a gun considered loaded" and "Should the finger always be on the trigger" and "If I want to kill something, which way should teh gun be pointed", etc...

I dont even think INGO has a FAQ.

 

[Hayseed_40]

I dont even think INGO has a FAQ.

Sorry, I think you are correct. I would have heard about it if there was one.

 

[Sylvain]

Sorry, I think you are correct. I would have heard about it if there was one.

We should look into the FAQ ... oh wait nevermind.
We will never know for sure I guess.

 

[DragonGunner]

I always taught my sons that the most dangerous gun is a "Unloaded" gun......"Why Dad?"....."Because everytime someone gets shot its because they thought it was Unloaded.".....its a different twist because if I thought the gun was always "Loaded" I wouldn't ever be able to run a ramrod down it would I....?...However, knowing the gun is "Unloaded" I am now even more cautious....its a different twist an view, the main thing is what works to keep all safe.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Is he the Russian Roulette runner up?