Uncle shoots nephew in tragedy while showing off laser sight on pistol.

[Olikan]

There's a strong show-and-tell element in the firearm world.

i think this is the main problem with guns, all the hype behind it
...pretty sure that hype and disapointment is not good, even for people that are psychologically normal

 

[Pulsar]

i think this is the main problem with guns, all the hype behind it
...pretty sure that hype and disapointment is not good, even for people that are psychologically normal

That doesn't make sense at all. For many, firearms are a hobby. There's a fascination in the engineering and an elegance in the design, and like any other hobby, people love to show their hobby to other folks. It's no different than showing someone your motorcycle or your high speed fishing boat.

There's no harm in that unless you suddenly get struck by the stupids like this uncle did.

What a tragedy.

 

[Thebobo]

Its a tragedy, but certainly not national news. Posting this type of story leads one to believe it is only for the sake of casting a negative light on guns in general.

In reality, it is exploiting this child's death for political purposes.

I highly doubt you saw the story and decided that making this thread would prevent someone from accidentally discharging a firearm.

Your paranoia about someone taking your guns does not make this any less of a story. I for one welcome the posting. You want to bury all Gun related discussions into one thread as well?

 

[DominionSeraph]

Castle doctrine. Good shoot.

 

[DrDoug]

^ This

/thread

Damned straight. When I was a kid and learning about firearms my Mom had the foresight to send me to the local rifle club to be educated about weapons and how to be a responsible gun owner. I had it hammered into me that the weapon is to be treated at all times as if it is loaded, even if you KNOW it isn't. You NEVER point a weapon at a living thing unless you are going to shoot. You never transport your weapons when they are loaded. And most importantly, you never have a round chambered until you are ready to fire it.

This idiot killed a kid because he never learned how to handle his weapon properly. While owning a firearm is a Constitutionally guaranteed right, with that right comes great responsibility.

Idiots like this guy make responsible gun owners look bad. I hope they lock his ass up for a long time so he has a lot of time to think about what a dumb ass he is.

 

[Zaap]

Something we can all agree on. Stupid. Irresponsible.Throw the book at him.

 

[Kadarin]

And most importantly, you never have a round chambered until you are ready to fire it.

I disagree with this one; I store my firearms in the safe loaded, with a round chambered. If I need to grab it fast, I need it ready to fire immediately.

That said, cardinal rules apply:

A gun is ALWAYS loaded, even if you think it's not.
Never point it at anything you don't intend to kill.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to take the shot.
Always be sure of your target and what's beyond it.

Had this fool obeyed any one of these rules, that kid would be alive.

 

[DrDoug]

I disagree with this one; I store my firearms in the safe loaded, with a round chambered. If I need to grab it fast, I need it ready to fire immediately.

That said, cardinal rules apply:

A gun is ALWAYS loaded, even if you think it's not.
Never point it at anything you don't intend to kill.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to take the shot.
Always be sure of your target and what's beyond it.

Had this fool obeyed any one of these rules, that kid would be alive.

Go ahead and disagree, it's a free country. Plus I would rather chamber a round and let a home invader know that they just walked in to deep shit.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Go ahead and disagree, it's a free country. Plus I would rather chamber a round and let a home invader know that they just walked in to deep shit.

Yeah, this is my view too, but reasonable minds can differ.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Very sad to see stuff like this. What a tool, FPMITA prison for you.

 

[Olikan]

There's no harm in that unless you suddenly get struck by the stupids like this uncle did.

What a tragedy.

err... this is exacly what i meant to say

there is a huge hype for guns in american society, while in other countryes people tend to see guns similar to a car insurance... they hope for never use it, but just in case, it's there...

 

[IGemini]

there is a huge hype for guns in american society, while in other countryes people tend to see guns similar to a car insurance... they hope for never use it, but just in case, it's there...

Hype is only half of the issue. It doesn't help that there's a fear culture about guns by both the news media and the politicians who want to ban or restrict them. Education counters both, and I speak as someone who was a recipient of both the hype and fear. Sadly, the education bit is the most neglected part of it all. And untrained people are arguably more unsafe than those properly trained. This is a case-in-point but far fewer recognize this than they really should.

People who also see guns as the "car insurance" you mentioned (which do have a strong following in the US, BTW) immediately recognize that every rule of safety was violated in this story. Firearms are a prominent element in video games, TV and movies and a varying part of US culture over its history. I prefer more proactive instruction and demystifying of firearms than the reactive attempts to legislate due to hype or fear.