First off I do not mind sharing and displaying my firearms under my supervision. But the owner must not abandon their responsibility to the safety of others or their safety. There is a big difference between a friend and an acquaintance. It was definitely wrong for this man to handle dwag’s firearms and any other equipment.
After over thirty years as a first responder and law officer I have heard all the sad stories. I have smelled the fresh blood, vomit, heard the cries of pain, and held the pressure bandage. I have also testified at the manslaughter and second-degree murder trials involving firearm “accidents.” I recall the look of shock on the face of a shooter’s mother during a trail when the color pictures were shown of the victim with the bullet hole in the head, and the incision in the neck for the breathing tube.
I have observed adults act like young children around firearms, and they cannot keep their hands off them. A person who may not steal your firearm may handle it behind your back. The other unfortunate thing is when a friend steals a firearm. It is interesting when an officer checks a firearm and it comes up stolen in the system. Johnny is arrested for being in the possession of a stolen firearm. The follow-up investigation discloses that Johnny was a visitor in the victim’s home around the time of the theft.
It is not unheard of for firearms to be stolen at a range. The shooter is focusing on what is out front off him, and checking his target. He telescopic vision down range, and his hearing is limited by hearing protection. In this case it is fortunate that dwag became aware of the activity in the shelter but the other individual still had time to handle his firearms.
A while back I was at a range early and was alone. But I kept only one firearm out of my vehicle and the others locked in it. When other shooters showed up we talk firearms, and one guy had a couple that I admired. But when it came time to shoot the only unsecured firearms arms I had out was the pistol on my belt and the rifle I was shooting.
I believe in a good Hunter Safety Program but the learning process does not end when the student walks out the door with a certificate. We added a new shooter to the family by marriage that wants to hunt with us this fall. We are looking forward to his company in the field, but he must first attend a Hunter Safety Program, and then a tougher course. His father-in-law and I will administrate the course. It will expand on the Hunter Safety Program with a lot of centerfire rifle handling and firing. It will deal with safe gun handling, and firearm security and the course will take three field days.
I can reach back to my law enforcement firearms qualification days. Typically a qualification day would involve qualification with one or more handguns, a shotgun, and a rifle. First off the handling of firearms by shooters behind the line of fire was not allowed. Firearms not being used in the activit course were secured in vehicles. Meaning our shotguns and assault rifles were not setting out when we were qualifying with our handguns. The whole objective is safety.
The other day I was looking at the different incidents in the State on the dispatch net. One incident caught my attention, an individual was shot on a range with a shotgun, and EMT, Fire, and law enforcement were dispatched.
Years ago a friend and took another person to the range. The three of us went up to the firing line having agreed on how many rounds we would fire and our course of action. Despite our earlier discussion when the third person’s Browning HP jammed he broke protocol and stepped behind us to clear the jam. His weapon discharged sending a round into the side of a garbage bin. You cannot even trust people who you know slightly.
As I walk into the sporting goods store I made note of the signs on the door and adjacent window stating loaded firearms were not allowed in the building. I soon noticed a customer enter carrying a .22 rifle. The customer went up to the counter and explained he was having problems with the rifle. (At that point I put a display case between the customer and myself.) Fortunately when the rifle discharged it was pointed at the ceiling, all it killed was a florescent light, and the ceiling.
You may think I am harsh, but times have changed, the legislatures are holding gun owners criminally libel for the acts of another. Meaning that if your unsecured firearm is stolen and used in the commission of a crime the owner of the firearm can be held liable. Even if you escape prosecution you can be held accountable in civil court actions. If McDonalds with all its lawyers can be held liable for a spilled cup of coffee, just think what a plaintiff’s lawyer can do to a gun owner.
