NHT3
Grandmaster
A recent thread about a Sig 320 turned into somewhat of a debate on the usefulness/need for active safeties. After some thought I think, we as a firearms community made a critical mistake decades ago. I would like other opinions on the matter so feel free to follow me into the weeds or try to lead me out.
The terms, perception is reality and words matter are heard almost daily and in today's world both have relevance. Have you every pondered why we continue use the term “safety” when talking about what is actually a mechanical block on a trigger/firing pin/striker. I learned the difference in a mechanical “safety” and Safety, always treating a firearm like it's loaded therefore not pointing at anything I didn't want to shoot, when my dad started taking me hunting at 10 years old.
We have gained so many new gun owners in last few years that have no prior firearms knowledge and believe the mechanical safety lever is all that is required to be safe. For them perception is reality and the word safety equates to making a firearm completely inert and incapable of damaging anything.
Any ideas on how to make people understand the difference in “Safety” (noun) an active safety lever and “safety” (verb) a mindset to keep you safe? Too many believe that simply flipping a lever renders a firearm completely inert eliminating the need for the 4 basic safety rules.
Maybe a different term like hammer or firing pin block rather than “safety”?
I don't know the answer but I know the terminology we've been using for over a hundred years is contributing to people literally shooting themselves in the foot, or worse. Those of us that know the difference need to figure out a way to spread the word. Any ideas?
The terms, perception is reality and words matter are heard almost daily and in today's world both have relevance. Have you every pondered why we continue use the term “safety” when talking about what is actually a mechanical block on a trigger/firing pin/striker. I learned the difference in a mechanical “safety” and Safety, always treating a firearm like it's loaded therefore not pointing at anything I didn't want to shoot, when my dad started taking me hunting at 10 years old.
We have gained so many new gun owners in last few years that have no prior firearms knowledge and believe the mechanical safety lever is all that is required to be safe. For them perception is reality and the word safety equates to making a firearm completely inert and incapable of damaging anything.
Any ideas on how to make people understand the difference in “Safety” (noun) an active safety lever and “safety” (verb) a mindset to keep you safe? Too many believe that simply flipping a lever renders a firearm completely inert eliminating the need for the 4 basic safety rules.
Maybe a different term like hammer or firing pin block rather than “safety”?
I don't know the answer but I know the terminology we've been using for over a hundred years is contributing to people literally shooting themselves in the foot, or worse. Those of us that know the difference need to figure out a way to spread the word. Any ideas?