How Many Times?

[The Night Rider]

A friend just posted a gun selfie on social media. long story short they had a gun sitting on the floor pointed at their leg in the photo.

I've mentioned that it's unsafe behavior at least twice and been told I worry too much.

My question isn't so much whether or not you think what I'm describing is unsafe behavior. For the purposes of this discussion let's assume it is. But even if this particular thing isn't unsafe behavior

How many times would you point out unsafe behavior to a friend before you dropped it

There are no circumstances under which I would allow them to so much as touch a firearm in my presence.

How many times do I mention the unsafe behavior and explain why it's unsafe before I give up?

 

[Mstafford88]

Never give up my friend. When they finally get themselves or someone hurt, you can at least look back and say “I told you x amount of times”

 

[Ranger99]

Lots of people online with guns
stuck in their britches pointed at
their junk, and holding they glock
wid they hoodie on an a blunt in
they mouf an holdin sum dope
an some cash an such yo

People enable and make excuses

 

[The Night Rider]

Lots of people online with guns
stuck in their britches pointed at
their junk, and holding they glock
wid they hoodie on an a blunt in
they mouf an holdin sum dope
an some cash an such yo

People enable and make excuses

I have no idea what this even means

 

[beeenbag]

Once…

After that your duty is fulfilled and their destiny/fate lies in their own, now informed, decisions.

 

[Mosin77]

“A gun sitting on the floor pointed at their leg.”

Sorry but I tend to agree you might be a bit overzealous here. I’d have to see the selfie to say for sure, but the description given doesn’t scream that it’s got to be, by definition, unsafe or reckless behavior involving firearms.

 

[The Night Rider]

“A gun sitting on the floor pointed at their leg.”

Sorry but I tend to agree you might be a bit overzealous here. I’d have to see the selfie to say for sure, but the description given doesn’t scream that it’s got to be, by definition, unsafe or reckless behavior involving firearms.

I'm not posting someone else's photo on the internet without their permission.

Whatever happened to never let the muzzle the gun cover anything that you don't want to shoot?

I didn't say anything about it but I had to bite my tongue not to do it.

I think I'm probably not going to say anything else. If the first two or three times didn't get the point across nothing but shooting themselves in the leg will. And if I keep yapping it's just going to know we just not being friends anymore

 

[General Geoff]

Whatever happened to never let the muzzle the gun cover anything that you don't want to shoot?

A gun is an inanimate object, if there's nobody touching it and nothing manipulating it, it is not immediately dangerous.

 

[MikeInOr]

My 18yo daughter has some friends visiting and they started asking about guns. Knowing nothing about guns I had the privilege of introducing them to basic handgun terms (Revolver / semi auto, single action / double action / single action - double action) type things.

The VERY first thing I showed them is the proper way to hand a gun to someone. Open the action, check the chamber, show them the chamber is empty then hand them the firearm. I explained to them that by doing so I am telling them that I value their life enough to take 15 seconds to make sure I am handing them a safe gun and show them that it is a safe gun. I could see in their response that this made perfect sense to them and that they appreciated the gesture.

I think this is what is missing, people with the knowledge passing down that knowledge. How do you think my daughters friends, having no previous firearm exposure, will hand a gun to someone in the future? Of course they want me to take them shooting now... I told them maybe Saturday morning depending on the smoke from the forest fires.

 

[The Night Rider]

A gun is an inanimate object, if there's nobody touching it and nothing manipulating it, it is not immediately dangerous.

Would you set a loaded Glock, not in a holster on your coffee table pointed at you?

 

[The Night Rider]

Okay I staged a copy of the photo. First of all I'm wearing gym shorts just like I normally do when I'm at home. As you can see the slide is locked to the rear on my handgun and there is a chamber flag in the chamber.

In the photo I'm copying the gun was in battery and I can only assume that there was a round in the chamber (because you should always assume there's a round in the chamber) and it was pointed at my friend's leg.

Just in general, would you say something? Would you call that an unsafe act?

For me I've said it before I don't point the muzzle of the gun at anything I don't want to shoot. And yes I am aware that I broke the rule by taking this picture but again please note the safety precautions

 

[General Geoff]

Would you set a loaded Glock, not in a holster on your coffee table pointed at you?

No but after setting it down, I would not hesitate to sit in a chair which happens to be in a direction that the muzzle is facing, as long as I'm the only one with immediate access to the room I'm in.

 

[The Night Rider]

No but after setting it down, I would not hesitate to sit in a chair which happens to be in a direction that the muzzle is facing, as long as I'm the only one with immediate access to the room I'm in.

What's the difference?

 

[Old Dog]

My answer: just once.

After that, if they persist with stupid behavior, it's time to evaluate whether they are still a true friend. Friends listen to each other. Or they should.

 

[General Geoff]

What's the difference?

After setting the gun down, there is no physical way for me to unintentionally manipulate it into firing while the muzzle is facing a part of me. Long as nobody is coming into contact with it, the gun will not discharge.

 

[Scout21]

People walk around all day every day with loaded, safety-less pistols pointed straight at their cojones with nary an issue. Guns don't just "go off" without being handled unless they're in some way defective. I don't think your friends actions are cause for concern. JMHO.

 

[wayneinFL]

I have a loaded handgun in my desk drawer. Is that generally considered unsafe? I could see it being unsafe if there was someone fiddling around in the desk drawer with someone on the other side of the desk. But without someone touching it, it shouldn't fire. It should be as safe as a holstered handgun.

 

[Old Dog]

People walk around all day every day with loaded, safety-less pistols pointed straight at their cojones with nary an issue. Guns don't just "go off" without being handled unless they're in some way defective. I don't think your friends actions are cause for concern. JMHO.

There's a huge difference in carrying securely in a holster or storing in a hard-side drawer or container, and displaying egregious violations of the 4 Rules on social media for the whole world to see.

 

[The Night Rider]

I'm posting this here for people who have already read the opening post.

My question isn't so much whether or not you think what I'm describing is unsafe behavior. For the purposes of this discussion let's assume it is. But even if this particular thing isn't unsafe behavior

How many times would you point out unsafe behavior to a friend before you dropped it

 

[Southerner up North]

I'm not posting someone else's photo on the internet without their permission.

Whatever happened to never let the muzzle the gun cover anything that you don't want to shoot?

I didn't say anything about it but I had to bite my tongue not to do it.

I think I'm probably not going to say anything else. If the first two or three times didn't get the point across nothing but shooting themselves in the leg will. And if I keep yapping it's just going to know we just not being friends anymore

I understand your concern for your friend's well being and the safety of those around him. Unfortunately, gun safety does not appear to be as important as it once was.
If you have brought this to his attention more than once and he has not changed, you have done all you do. Sometimes people do not learn until something bad happens.
Not being cold, but sleep soundly at night knowing you have done all you can do.

View attachment 1167288

Okay I staged a copy of the photo. First of all I'm wearing gym shorts just like I normally do when I'm at home. As you can see the slide is locked to the rear on my handgun and there is a chamber flag in the chamber.

In the photo I'm copying the gun was in battery and I can only assume that there was a round in the chamber (because you should always assume there's a round in the chamber) and it was pointed at my friend's leg.

Just in general, would you say something? Would you call that an unsafe act?

For me I've said it before I don't point the muzzle of the gun at anything I don't want to shoot. And yes I am aware that I broke the rule by taking this picture but again please note the safety precautions

Unsafe and foolish. Unacceptable if your friend has pets or little ones around.

 

[Wolfshead]

A friend just posted a gun selfie on social media. long story short they had a gun sitting on the floor pointed at their leg in the photo.

I've mentioned that it's unsafe behavior at least twice and been told I worry too much.

My question isn't so much whether or not you think what I'm describing is unsafe behavior. For the purposes of this discussion let's assume it is. But even if this particular thing isn't unsafe behavior

How many times would you point out unsafe behavior to a friend before you dropped it

There are no circumstances under which I would allow them to so much as touch a firearm in my presence.

How many times do I mention the unsafe behavior and explain why it's unsafe before I give up?

First things first.
as many times as it would take until the behavior has changed or the “I told you so” moment has occurred.
if I said it only once and then they continued the behavior and I didn’t say anything, and then something happened I’m not sure how I would handle that. Especially if it were to be a tragic event.

i totally agree with you about not pointing the muzzle of your firearm at something you don’t want to destroy.
that is black and white. Either you do or you don’t.
How many times have we heard “the gun just went off….” If the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction then it was a stupid accident and learning moment. If it was not, a tragic incident.

 

[CDW4ME]

I've got a loaded Glock AIWB as I type this, the muzzle is pointed at some of my most beloved assets. Sorry, No pic.

 

[Mosin77]

If I take a social media photo where my gun is in my hand pointed at someone, or my finger is on the trigger, that’s by definition unsafe. But if the gun is sitting somewhere, not in anyone’s hand, it’s safe.

I think there’s a gray area where “over-casual” positioning (eg a selfie on my bed) can maybe appear to lessen the respect we need to habitually give to dangerous tools. “Look son, my finger isn’t on the trigger so it’s totally ok to position this revolver on my head like an antler. Guns are just toys.” We don’t want to do that.

On the other hand there’s an equally dangerous mentality that treats any gun as if it’s a portable Death Star and says the only responsible way to have anything to do with a firearm is to keep it locked up in a safe. This mentality, in my opinion, ultimately leads to the idea that only trained and designated agents of the government have any business having guns.

 

[The Night Rider]

My friend has made it pretty clear they don't see an issue. I've decided that at least on social media I'm not getting involved. If I see them doing unsafe act in my presence I will say something.

 

[Scout21]

How many times would you point out unsafe behavior to a friend before you dropped it

It really depends on how the friend takes the advice. If they're open to listening and learning, but simply keep forgetting I would remind them as many times as it takes. If they flagrantly disregard my advice I'd drop the issue and quickly separate myself from them.

I've pointed out dangerous behavior at the range before and most of the time people graciously accept the advice. The few times they have not, I've simply packed my things and left the range. There's nothing to gain from being around people that don't value the safety of others.