Flagging and muzzling and ???

[ISCS Yoda]

I do not use either of those terms to describe a situation wherein someone has inadvertently pointed a firearm at someone, at the range, while in the field, whatever. I think that there is a third term, but for the life of me, I cannot come up with it.

And you say..............................?

 

[mtgianni]

Don't point that #(*^ thing at me. I know you think it's unloaded but it gives me reason to draw mine and point it at you. I know mine is loaded!

 

[s&wchad]

I believe the term you're looking for is swept...

 

[Riposte1]

Actually we have a legal term for it here - it is called Wanton or Reckless Endangerment (depending on whether you do it on pourpose or you are unaware).

I admit, it doesn't get charged often enough. That said, it has occasonally come up when LE does it (also not often enough - in fact extremely rare - not to be confused with pointing a gun at someone when your a justifed in the use of lethal force).

I am retired from LE now but I just heard of a case on the radio last week, but I don't know the details - no shots were fired.

Riposte

 

[pantannojack]

Negligent handling. Grounds for expulsion. Come back with certificate from a safety course.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Swept is correct. Thank you.

 

[s&wchad]

Swept is correct. Thank you.

You're welcome!

I was swept while working as a range officer at my clubs indoor range. The guy turned his pistol sideways to rack the slide and pointed it right at me.

We had a little talk...

 

[hdfinder47]

The main cause of "sweeping" at the range where I RSO is the sideways rack mentioned by s&wchad. I've snatched many semi's over the years due to this practice. Always make it a learning experience.

 

[wundudnee]

I often have young new shooters on my place to learn and shoot. I always give a talk about muzzle control and the basics. I also make it clear that if they can't get every bullet into the berm they weren't allowed to shoot.

it drives me crazy at gun shows the careless muzzle sweeping by people that should know better. I am not bashful telling folks to be careful. I have heard enough shots go off at shows that I'm cautious. I really like the guy carrying their long guns on their shoulder then turning around and sweeping the entire show. Rant off.

 

['79 Magnum GT]

You're welcome!

I was swept while working as a range officer at my clubs indoor range. The guy turned his pistol sideways to rack the slide and pointed it right at me.

We had a little talk...

I had that happen to me once at the range too. I was most put out by it.

Rick

 

[bigggbbruce]

I've always used muzzled. That is the scary end of a gun.

Swept is what I do for those little rocks that follow me in the house

 

[glenwolde]

I had an inexperienced shooter next to me sweep the line (which I was first in) on the way to looking down the barrel of a Ruger MKIII with a closed breech. She was a few empty positions down from me or I would have stopped her myself. I backed up and threw my hands up in the air which got the attention of the RSO just in time for him to see her to decide to stop looking down the barrel and sweep the line again as she put the gun down. By that time this had attracted the attention of several people. There was a lot of shouting and she left the line in tears. She was the guest of a member and he got reamed out too, for failing to supervise. He almost lost his membership over it.

 

[s&wchad]

I had an inexperienced shooter next to me sweep the line (which I was first in) on the way to looking down the barrel of a Ruger MKIII with a closed breech. She was a few empty positions down from me or I would have stopped her myself. I backed up and threw my hands up in the air which got the attention of the RSO just in time for him to see her to decide to stop looking down the barrel and sweep the line again as she put the gun down. By that time this had attracted the attention of several people. There was a lot of shouting and she left the line in tears. She was the guest of a member and he got reamed out too, for failing to supervise. He almost lost his membership over it.

I know all too well how dangerous this can be, but sending a woman off in tears isn't the answer.

That was a teaching moment and the reason I've worked with new shooters for decades. I try to educate, not alienate them. I might feel different if I was shot in the gut!

 

[Greyman50]

I will never forget in basic training this idiot’s M-16 jammed while firing in prone position. He actually got on his knees, swung M-16 across half the firing line and yelled at the DI, “ my rifle wont shoot”. I kept my position but watched as the DI yelled a few words I can't post at him and hit him on his helmet liner with his range paddle. Hit him so hard he fell back into prone and didn't say anything else. Can’t remember if he got re- cycled of not as we had a few that were…..BTW I shot expert for some reason, lol.

 

[glenwolde]

I know all too well how dangerous this can be, but sending a woman off in tears isn't the answer.

That was a teaching moment and the reason I've worked with new shooters for decades. I try to educate, not alienate them. I might feel different if I was shot in the gut!

I agree. It was some of the other shooters and not the RSO's that said some things that were exceedingly unkind.

 

[usmcsgt]

I tell folks I will return fire if you sweep me - just kidding. New pistol students seem to have the hardest time with this starting out. So I make them verbally repeat “finger off trigger pointed down range “ each time the start to handle a firearm. Seems to help.

 

[pantannojack]

II equally hate horizontal shoulder holsters.