Gun Selfies Unholstering In The Wild

[The Night Rider]

I've noticed a lot of gun owners have a habit of unholstering in public for photo ops.

I disagree with the practice on the basis of no unnecessary administrative handling and because it tends to make the natives restless.

I have two photos of my guns that were taken outside of my home. One was taken at a gun range I go to the other was taken on top of a mountain because I was adjusting my load and had to take my holster off. Other than that all my gun pictures are at home and the gun is either unloaded or holstered.

I know the "voice" of this post is judgy but it isn't meant to be. I'm being honest I think unholstering a handgun for a photo op is a bad idea. I realize other people may have different opinions and may even think I'm an idiot (you are not alone) but I wanted to throw the topic out for discussion.

On top of the mountain.



At the range



And as an added bonus my cat.



Edited for clarification

I don't think it's a good idea period but less so in more populated areas. I'd never do it in town but even some of the places I hike have quite a few people around.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

If it’s out in the bush away from prying eyes, who cares?

If someone is so scared to unholster their pistol and perform “unnecessary administrative handling” that they might accidently fire it or have an accident, they should probably seek more training and practice before carrying it in the first place.

 

[The Night Rider]

If it’s out in the bush away from prying eyes, who cares?

If someone is so scared to unholster their pistol and perform “unnecessary administrative handling” that they might accidently fire it or have an accident, they should probably seek more training and practice before carrying it in the first place.

And immediately the discussion becomes pejorative.

I never said I was afraid I said I don't think it's a good idea.

 

[AlexanderA]

Are you talking about taking pictures of the gun, or of yourself holding the gun? Because the word "selfie" in the title of the thread implies that it's the latter.

I agree that taking a picture of yourself holding a gun in a public setting could be problematic. (Not at the range, while hunting, etc.) Otherwise, I'm confused. I just don't see the issue.

BTW, I like your cat.

 

[starnbar]

Even at hunt camp I never get photo'd carrying open I all ways have my coat or jacket on what people don't know about me is not their business.

 

[Howland937]

There's a difference between posing a firearm for a photo and posing with a firearm for a photo. The former is perfectly ok within certain parameters, the latter is generally never ok.

As for handling, I'll take unnecessary but safe over necessary but idiotic any time.

 

[The Night Rider]

Are you talking about taking pictures of the gun, or of yourself holding the gun? Because the word "selfie" in the title of the thread implies that it's the latter.

I agree that taking a picture of yourself holding a gun in a public setting could be problematic. (Not at the range, while hunting, etc.) Otherwise, I'm confused. I just don't see the issue.

BTW, I like your cat.

What I'm really talking about is taking the gun out of the holster, in public, unnecessarily for a photo op.

Whether or not you're actually holding the gun is secondary

 

[Barbaroja]

What I'm really talking about is taking the gun out of the holster, in public, unnecessarily for a photo op.

Whether or not you're actually holding the gun is secondary

Prehaps you should define what you mean by public. Do you mean outside the home in general or do you mean in a grocery store?
Would you mind giving us some examples of the type of photos your speaking of so we’re all on the same page?

 

[The Night Rider]

Prehaps you should define what you mean by public. Do you mean outside the home in general or do you mean in a grocery store?
Would you mind giving us some examples of the type of photos your speaking of so we’re all on the same page?

I don't think it's a good idea period but less so in more populated areas. I'd never do it in town but even some of the places I hike have quite a few people around.

 

[AlexanderA]

First of all, I'm assuming safe practices, such as unloading and clearing the gun before photographing it.

Beyond that, it's public relations. You don't want to rile up any antigun bystanders. This is the same rationale against open carry in general.

I don't see anything wrong with safely photographing a gun at a pro-gun venue such as a range or gun show.

 

[Kleanbore]

If someone is so scared to unholster their pistol and perform “unnecessary administrative handling” that they might accidently fire it or have an accident, they should probably seek more training and practice before carrying it in the first place.

Good training tells us to avoid unnecessary administrative handling.

 

[The Night Rider]

First of all, I'm assuming safe practices, such as unloading and clearing the gun before photographing it.

I don't think you can make that assumption unless someone specifically states it.

In my two photos the gun was loaded

 

[Mark_Mark]

First of all, I'm assuming safe practices, such as unloading and clearing the gun before photographing it.

Beyond that, it's public relations. You don't want to rile up any antigun bystanders. This is the same rationale against open carry in general.

I don't see anything wrong with safely photographing a gun at a pro-gun venue such as a range or gun show.

as a ex photographer, as long as we follow the rules of safety I don’t see anything wrong with showing off to the world what your proud of.

Shooter clears the weapon
Photographer clears the weapon
Finger off the trigger
Don’t point at anytime your not willing too…

Little known fact, on a proper film set the armor will never let the real gun be pointed at camera with someone behind the camera. Or pointed at other actor or crew. Camera angles and remote camera and reproduction guns

 

[Scout21]

Gonna leave this here

 

[Mark_Mark]

Gonna leave this here

that’s called the Darwin award…. Awards are handed to other categories too!

 

[The Night Rider]

that’s called the Darwin award…. Awards are handed to other categories too!

Not a Darwin Award, niether person was removed from the gene pool

 

[Mark_Mark]

Not a Darwin Award, niether person was removed from the gene pool

yet! just a matter of time. the Award contest goes on and always looking for candidates

 

[AlexanderA]

Gonna leave this here

Yikes! Kudos to the range officer for acting fast.

Horsing around with guns is inexcusable.

 

[AzShooter1]

As a photographer I'm asked to take a lot of pictures of people shooting their guns. I find the right angle so that they can be shooting the target but I am at least 180 degrees away from the muzzle. I'm behind the shooting line. I will not let a muzzle cover me or anyone on the range with me.

I don't like static shots of people holding their guns up. Unloaded guns kill more people than we can count.

I do take photos of guns on benches, stands or posed without being loaded and with no ammo in reach of the firearm.

You can take a safe shot of a gun if you follow all the safety rules.

 

[Old Dog]

There's a difference between posing a firearm for a photo and posing with a firearm for a photo. The former is perfectly ok within certain parameters, the latter is generally never ok.

Eh Not a selfy, but we used to snap a lot of pics outdoors back in the day (mostly before the newness of being in a war wore off)... even loaded guns.




How's everyone feel about taking photos at the range of people shooting? (That's me below, working really hard at my next job as an instructor/coach/RSO).

 

[twarr1]

Gonna leave this here

I’ve seen this video multiple times on multiple venues and still marvel at how dumb this guy is.

 

[.38 Special]

As far as I am concerned, a competent man is welcome to do whatever he likes with his gun, and an incompetent man shouldn't have any contact with guns at all - except perhaps for supervised training intended to rectify his incompetence.

I don't think the OP is an idiot, and I certainly do not care if he chooses to photograph his gun in a safe and appropriate manner.

 

[Scout21]

As far as I am concerned, a competent man is welcome to do whatever he likes with his gun, and an incompetent man shouldn't have any contact with guns at all - except perhaps for supervised training intended to rectify his incompetence.

I don't think the OP is an idiot, and I certainly do not care if he chooses to photograph his gun in a safe and appropriate manner.

I think most of us agree

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’ve seen this video multiple times on multiple venues and still marvel at how dumb this guy is.

I’ve know people like that, If a gun comes out! I make like fall and leave. We had a BBQ + Shooting session at the group deer lease. Nothing too unsafe but I left before anything happened. They called my a Safety Nattzi, don’t even care!

 

[tark]

As a proud fellow idiot myself, I think .38 Special said it better than I could. Btw, cool cat !!! Mine two prefer their vodka straight up.