3 Reasons the gun comes out...

[Rastoff]

...and this ain't one of them: Police: Man accidentally shoots himself, wife at church | Fox News

There are only three reasons your carry gun should come out of the holster:

1. To deal with the bad guy. After all, this is why we carry, no?
2. To practice at the range. If you're not practicing to include presenting from concealment, you should. The range is a specific and safe place to do this.
3. To put the gun away or clean/maintain it at home.

Strict adherence to these rules helps keep the owner in the proper mindset. That mindset is, when the gun comes out, it's a serious situation, not a casual one.

Notice that nowhere in this list is "show off to your friends." Even if someone knew I was carrying, and they asked to see it, the answer would be no (unless it was a police officer and an official contact). You want to show off your gun? Do it at home or at the range.

Further, why was he carrying a gun that he thought was unloaded? What's the point of that? Further still, why was he pressing the trigger on a gun that was pointed at something he didn't want to destroy? Can you say poor muzzle consciousness?

This story should serve as a reminder that guns are serious business and should always be handled as such.

 

[WheelGunMagic]

Can't argue with any of your 3 reasons. Sad, but an excellent reminder. Thanks for posting.

 

[misswired]

...and this ain't one of them: Police: Man accidentally shoots himself, wife at church | Fox News

There are only three reasons your carry gun should come out of the holster:

1. To deal with the bad guy. After all, this is why we carry, no?
2. To practice at the range. If you're not practicing to include presenting from concealment, you should. The range is a specific and safe place to do this.
3. To put the gun away or clean/maintain it at home.
   (3.5) To shoot a snake...any snake!

 

[okiegtrider]

A whole lot of fail in that story.

 

[keith44spl]

Prayers for those folks.

Some days makes a feller wish he'd stayed in bed..........

.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Bad situation we need to teach and preach safety and discipline more than we do .

 

[Breakaway500]

Avoidable negligent discharge.

"Parks said the bullet sliced the man's palm, then entered the left side of his wife's abdomen and exited the right side."

Who says the lowly .380 isn't worth carrying?

 

[wingriderz]

Yes we all need to preach more saftey. At least this story didn't have the usual "The Gun Just Went Off " added from the media.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Years ago there was security camera footage from an elevator on YouTube. A police detective (the defective detective) was showing off his sidearm to an attractive lady. Whatever his intent it went awry when he LITERALLY shot himself in the foot. At least no innocent bystanders were hurt.

 

[Kurusu]

Years ago there was security camera footage from an elevator on YouTube. A police detective (the defective detective) was showing off his sidearm to an attractive lady. Whatever his intent it went awry when he LITERALLY shot himself in the foot. At least no innocent bystanders were hurt.

There is only one "gun" worthwhile showing to an attractive lady. And:

1 An elevator is not the best place to do it.

2 It is not made of metal (or any kind of polymer).

3 First make sure the lady is willing before the next step o maybe this should be number one).

 

[dben002]

Could not agree more with Rastoff.

 

[Old cop]

I have a close friend who is minus his left index finger b/c he failed to follow all the safety rules.

 

[vigil617]

I saw the story yesterday in the paper, and it was a useful and needed reminder to me that the business of carrying is fraught with peril. One absent-minded, human error can be life-changing -- or -taking. Thanks to Rastoff for pointing out the few instances when taking a gun out is necessary.

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" -- and the price of safety, too.

Prayers up for this elderly couple, especially for him as he deals with having accidentally shot his beloved. I cannot imagine what that would be like.

 

[Muss Muggins]

He was in his 80's . . .

 

[KSDeputy]

Shooting every snake makes no sense. Most non-venomous ones are our friends. They eat mice, and other vermin, and keep them out of our homes. We only shoot venomous snakes because we fear they will bite us, or our dogs. The others we appreciate. We live in the country, and see a lot of snakes.

 

[The Big D]

Show and tell no bueno!

One would think eighty (80) trips around the sun would equip one with sufficient common sense to avoid playing 'show and tell' with a gun.

In this case it clearly did not.

Be safe.

 

[vigil617]

Shooting every snake makes no sense. Most non-venomous ones are our friends. They eat mice, and other vermin, and keep them out of our homes. We only shoot venomous snakes because we fear they will bite us, or our dogs. The others we appreciate. We live in the country, and see a lot of snakes.

Agree 100 percent. And truth be told, there are vastly better tools than a handgun for doing away with one if that is necessary. Just one humble opinion from a guy who is a good enough shot, but wouldn't be optimistic about being able to hit a snake on the move with a killing blow.

 

[keith44spl]

Well here in a few days,

When all the children, grand children, great-grand youngin's gather in for a big Thanksgiving dinner....

They've got a lot to be thankful for.
But, ol Gramp's may be having a lit'l crow instead of that golden brown turkey.

*We all need to be careful, everyday in everyway.

.

 

[Kurusu]

Agree 100 percent. And truth be told, there are vastly better tools than a handgun for doing away with one if that is necessary. Just one humble opinion from a guy who is a good enough shot, but wouldn't be optimistic about being able to hit a snake on the move with a killing blow.

you just reminded me of a story I read.

There was an infestation of rattlers. The Army was called to help control the menace. Troopers had strict orders to give account of every shot fired. One day the officer in charge received a cardbox. Inside there were 7 spent .45 ACP cartridges, a live rattler and a note saying "I missed all 7 seven shots".

 

[Mainsail]

It's been about ten years now, but there was a story in a local paper in PA where the reporter went out to cover an open carry picnic/gathering. The reporter asked several of the OCers if he could see their gun, and each one only turned to make it easier for the reporter to see the holstered gun. None of them pulled it out of the holster.

Around that same time period I was in a big-box shorting goods store carrying openly and some older gentleman stopped me. He asked what I was carrying but was far more interested in showing me the glock he pulled out of his fanny pack.