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06-29-2011, 08:48 AM
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NC man kills self while demonstrating gun safety
This is a sad story for multiple reasons.
A "not so bright" 23 year old man was demonstrating the safety mechanism of his new 22 pistol.
In front of his friends, he showed them the safety and that the gun wouldn't fire. He then showed them the slide action and put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
This time the safety was off and the gun went bang.
Sanford man shoots himself while showing safety :: WRAL.com
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06-29-2011, 09:08 AM
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Wow, unbelievable, putting a loaded gun to your head! And, pulling the trigger!!! Why do people forget the most important safety on any gun; always point it in a safe direction, and never put your finger on the trigger until you are prepared to fire the gun (and destroy what it is pointed at...)?
I'm sure there are some out there prepared to make some snide remark about Darwin, but this is just a real shame. Ignorance in it's purest form. I feel bad for his friends, and family...
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06-29-2011, 11:43 AM
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I've never put an unloaded gun to my head ... no, wait, there is no such thing as an unloaded gun!
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06-29-2011, 11:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Faulkner
I've never put an unloaded gun to my head ... no, wait, there is no such thing as an unloaded gun!
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That. Those basic rules that should be followed just don't always get followed. Stinks.
I feel the need to add that he forgot the first safety... the one between his ears.
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06-29-2011, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmar
I'm sure there are some out there prepared to make some snide remark about Darwin, but this is just a real shame. Ignorance in it's purest form. I feel bad for his friends, and family...
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I know where you're coming from, but there are some things that earn the scorn heaped upon them via ill-advised human behavior.
It is tragic. It is regrettable. It was stupid and it was fatal. It ranks right up there with juggling running chain saws or relaxing in a pool of gasoline and having a smoke. There are some things that are just so dumb, there is no defense when someone calls it what it is.
The only way you could cast this in any kind of positive light would be to observe he at least serves as an example of what NOT to do . . .
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06-29-2011, 12:05 PM
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There is no context to the story ... was he truly performing a responsible safety demonstration, or was he showing off? Cynic that I am, I'd say the latter is closer to the truth. It is a terrible tragedy from a strictly human perspective, but it also casts law abiding, safety conscious gun owners in a negative light, something none of us need. This is the type of story that the anti-gun loons love to further their agenda.
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06-29-2011, 12:17 PM
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I thought one of the safety rules was to always point a firearm in a safe direction. Any body part is not a safe direction.
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06-29-2011, 12:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mc5aw
There is no context to the story ... was he truly performing a responsible safety demonstration, or was he showing off? Cynic that I am, I'd say the latter is closer to the truth. It is a terrible tragedy from a strictly human perspective, but it also casts law abiding, safety conscious gun owners in a negative light, something none of us need. This is the type of story that the anti-gun loons love to further their agenda.
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How does one perform a responsible safety demonstration by pointing a gun to their head and pulling the trigger? What context would make such a demonstration responsible?
Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 06-29-2011 at 12:27 PM.
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06-29-2011, 12:24 PM
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What a tragedy... especially for his family and friends.
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06-29-2011, 12:26 PM
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What a horrible thing to witness.
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06-29-2011, 01:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badam0112
What a horrible thing to witness.
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My thoughts exactly.
THOSE are the folks that I feel for.
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06-29-2011, 01:15 PM
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I've just got to add:
This guy WAS NOT demonstrating *Gun Safety*
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06-29-2011, 01:21 PM
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Proof positive that there is no such thing as a "fool-proof mechanical safety"
For every fool-proof device we invent, a new & improved fool will come along.
Each time such an incident hits the news, we all lose ground because many will point & declare the gun at fault & "all guns too dangerous".
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06-29-2011, 03:07 PM
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Automatic Darwin Award and a head shot to top it off. I hope he didn't create too big a mess.
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06-29-2011, 03:11 PM
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He could have been playing "Russian Roulette" and forgot it was a semi auto.
A postemus Darwin Award.
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06-29-2011, 03:34 PM
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Regardless of ANY safety you never point a gun at any object you do not intend to shoot. Unfortunately the deceased person demonstrated this simple rule graphically and hopefully others will take note.
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06-29-2011, 03:39 PM
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This brought back some bad memories of past investigations. The conclusion I have come to, in incidents like this, is that young immature people sometimes make snap decisions that fly in the face of all reality. They simply do things that are dumb to the extreme and, if they survive, cannot explain what they were thinking. And all the movies, such as "Jackass", that glorify this behavior don't help. This is a tragedy and the best we can do is offer our prayers to his friends and family in their time of need.
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06-29-2011, 04:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NCTexan
This is a sad story for multiple reasons.
A "not so bright" 23 year old man was demonstrating the safety mechanism of his new 22 pistol.
In front of his friends, he showed them the safety and that the gun wouldn't fire. He then showed them the slide action and put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
This time the safety was off and the gun went bang.
Sanford man shoots himself while showing safety :: WRAL.com
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That is like checking the air pressure in your tires and inspecting the brakes then assuming all is well and driving the car over a cliff.
There is simply no way a safety mechanism can prevent fools from hurting themselves.
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06-29-2011, 04:37 PM
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Ironically, I read this thread right after I read cajunlawyer's post about the penguin who swam to the wrong place and was eating sand... perhaps there is something to be said for Darwinism.
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06-29-2011, 04:54 PM
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Firearms accidents are usually caused by Ignorance (lack of knowledge) or Carelessness (failure to apply the knowledge).
This proves that point.
Focus on the gun, not the audience.
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06-29-2011, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve in Vermont
This brought back some bad memories of past investigations. The conclusion I have come to, in incidents like this, is that young immature people sometimes make snap decisions that fly in the face of all reality. They simply do things that are dumb to the extreme and, if they survive, cannot explain what they were thinking. And all the movies, such as "Jackass", that glorify this behavior don't help. This is a tragedy and the best we can do is offer our prayers to his friends and family in their time of need.
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I shudder to think of some of the careless and/or "foolish" (plain stupid) things that I've done in my life... especially in my younger days. None have ever involved a firearm, but many could yielded the same outcome from a car or motorcycle.
Probably most of us have pulled a Darwin act or two in our time.
I'm just blessed or lucky to be typing this now.
I'm very sorry for all involved in this tragedy.
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06-29-2011, 05:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NCTexan
I shudder to think of some of the careless and/or "foolish" (plain stupid) things that I've done in my life... especially in my younger days.
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Oh yeah! Me too.
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06-29-2011, 06:44 PM
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Without God`s grace, I estimate I should have been killed close to 50 times! I was always getting myself in danger through my ignorance and either by guardian angels or Gods direct grace and intervention did I survive them! No thanks to me! I did get hurt a number of times, but yet made it through. If others claim they never done similar they must have stayed home and had a boreing life!
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06-29-2011, 07:03 PM
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About two years ago my wife was on the ladder in the garage getting something off a shelf above the closed roll up garage door. Without thinking I came out and hit the door opener! She was knocked off the ladder backwards on the concrete and was about 5 feet up the ladder!
I dove and cusioned her head about the last 6 inchs! It did hurt her some and would have been a heck of a lot worse! She both cried and laughed at the same time! It did look like the 3 stooges! The top of the moveing door caught her right under her boobs and swept her off the ladder as she was now trying to hang on the door that was moveing, pushing her backwards!
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06-29-2011, 07:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil
How does one perform a responsible safety demonstration by pointing a gun to their head and pulling the trigger? What context would make such a demonstration responsible?
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"Okay class, watch close. I'm only going to demonstrate this once!"
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06-29-2011, 07:46 PM
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Maybe 30 years ago or so I read an article where a guy was fooling around with his .357 revo in his living room and his daughter's friend nervously asked, "Is that gun loaded?" The guy put the gun to his head and said, "Would I do this if it were loaded?," and pulled the trigger... Yep. Ker-blammy.
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06-29-2011, 08:15 PM
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Man’s most unused sense is common sense.
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06-29-2011, 08:19 PM
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man see what happens when big city folks move to NC and do things like that .it makes the state look bad....wonder if his last words was hey yall watch this.
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06-29-2011, 08:32 PM
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The lack of context I was referring to is this: Was the individual responsibly demonstrating the safety of his firearm prior to foolishly pointing the gun to his head, or was he showing off initially, followed by putting the gun to his head. Scenario #1: Incredibly ill-advised thing to do with tragic consequence; Scenario #2: Darwin Award. This story sounds to me like an inexperienced (and idiotic) person thinking he's being funny and showing off for his friends.
Unfortunately, I've encountered this type of hazardous fool at ranges far too many times, prompting me to pack my gear, and head home alive, ready to shoot another day.
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06-29-2011, 09:21 PM
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I have seen nothing to suggest this, but I always immediately wonder if drugs and/or especially alcohol were involved when I hear about events such as this.
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06-29-2011, 09:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redlevel
I have seen nothing to suggest this, but I always immediately wonder if drugs and/or especially alcohol were involved when I hear about events such as this.
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Well at least being stoned, wasted or drunk would be some excuse for putting a gun to your head and pulling the trigger
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06-29-2011, 09:59 PM
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Everyone serves a purpose.
Some are an inspiration... others, are an example.
Jim
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06-29-2011, 11:54 PM
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I wouldn't doubt if alcohol was involved.
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06-30-2011, 12:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badam0112
What a horrible thing to witness.
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Indeed and thats a bunch more anti gun people he just made and you cant blame them for being that way after witnessing or reading about something that horribile
Hell its been nearly 15 years since I saw that video of that sports guy blowing his own head off at a press conference with a revolver on tv and even in that distant form you never forget something like that.
Still you gotta wonder as you guys already pointed out was he on drugs and showing off, or is this story really as tragic as it sounds?
Last edited by Kavinsky; 06-30-2011 at 12:15 AM.
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06-30-2011, 01:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil
How does one perform a responsible safety demonstration by pointing a gun to their head and pulling the trigger? What context would make such a demonstration responsible?
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I wonder if alcohol was involved? Later, Dave
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06-30-2011, 01:18 AM
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Friends covering up a suicide? Tragic in any case.
Rob
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06-30-2011, 01:35 AM
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In 1978 or 1979 a similar incident happened at a local motorcycle race venue, only the victim was showing off the safety features of his new S&W 9 M/M to his pit crew. I was not the Investigating officer, but as the senior officer on duty I had the bad fortune of having to notify the family, not something I would want to do again.
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Last edited by old bear; 06-30-2011 at 04:49 AM.
Reason: Sp.
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06-30-2011, 02:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teddydog
Friends covering up a suicide? Tragic in any case.
Rob
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I seem to recall years ago, when I was a kid, one would often read a news story about "so and so was killed in a tragic accident when his gun accidentally discharged while he was cleaning it."
I think there used to be more stigma associated with suicide than there is today. Or, perhaps, newspapers were just more discreet. As a kid I always just thought these were accidents. Maybe all the adults realized all along they were suicides.
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06-30-2011, 03:19 AM
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This sounds like Mr. Darwin at work again?
Hopefully, this guy didn't already have any offspring? A set of gene's such as his was just better off stopped before it could replicate.
Will this silliness ever end?
NOT!
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06-30-2011, 01:32 PM
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Wasn't there a huge discussion about Ebert's comments on the jackass character's fiery conclusion recently? I thought a lot of folks decided that it's best to keep your mouth shut if you don't have anything good to say. It's headline news because having no scruples sells papers. We don't have to stoop to their level though. The man made one tragic decision, but you shouldn't make assumptions on how he led his life based on a news headline. Being a heel is saying you can't say God at a veteran's funeral, or strip searching a 95 year old woman at the airport. Let's try to act less like heels, and maybe we can fix some problems instead of exacerbating them.
Last edited by 617X10; 06-30-2011 at 01:35 PM.
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06-30-2011, 07:55 PM
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I know we all like to make jokes about Darwin awards but if we all think back to when we were young I'm sure we can all think of an incident where "Dumb Luck" saved us from being a recipient.
That being said I feel sorry for this dumbass and his family.
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06-30-2011, 08:01 PM
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He should have been a contestant on "Wipe Out".
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06-30-2011, 09:21 PM
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My brother in law died exactly the same way. The 15 year old girl seated across from him at the kitchen table was in therapy for many years. He left behind four kids and my sis. The kids and his insurance money were the only good things he did for the family for the most part. Darwin wins every so often.
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07-03-2011, 05:58 PM
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I believe it
During a CCW class the instructor pulled out a M29-unloaded it-closed it-then handed to me butt first-saying"ok,hold this on me". I told him to open the thing-and no I wouldn't touch it. He then used a plastic gun-later he told me I was picky-after I called a cease fire-when an instructor gave the command to load-while he was forward-in front of the firing line.
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07-04-2011, 09:05 AM
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this might sound harsh, but it seems like natural selection at work
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07-04-2011, 10:00 AM
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Unlike some others here, I don't cut this clown any slack. Do dumb stuff, expect the worst.
It just works that way.
Next.
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07-04-2011, 10:25 AM
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Gotta go with Charlie on this one.
As prominent and accessible as The Four Rules are these days, this seems to be an example of one who has to touch the hot stove before figuring out not to touch the hot stove.
Sadly, not in a position to benefit from lesson learned.
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07-04-2011, 02:45 PM
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I'm sad for the family..
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07-04-2011, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redlevel
I have seen nothing to suggest this, but I always immediately wonder if drugs and/or especially alcohol were involved when I hear about events such as this.
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The event itself suggests it.
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07-04-2011, 05:06 PM
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There is no such thing as a "safe" gun, if it's loaded. When are people going to learn that, and respect it for what it is, a killer. My dad always taught me as a child, "don't point a gun at anything you don't want to see dead." He didn't get into the loaded or unloaded part. Seems like to me, in my lifetime, I've seen more folks killed with "unloaded" guns, than the other type, unless it was on purpose, of course.
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