The number of times I’ve seen – in person and on video – people manipulate a handgun with their non-dominant hand in the vicinity of the muzzle can’t be counted. My loss of recall could be age-related or maybe it’s just despair. I’ve watched people I know — who definitely know better — clear their pistol and move to lock the slide back with a portion of their hand in front of the muzzle.
Wait…he “cleared” the pistol, so he knows it’s unloaded…right?
The most recent case came to my attention through story on the internet with photos of a person’s left hand. At the base of the palm, near the wrist, to the outside – there was a carbon smudge and a bullet hole. The gun (if it matters…and it doesn’t) was a GLOCK 44, a pistol I have often used.
The user removed the magazine, racked the slide – as instructed – then put the non-dominant hand on the front of the muzzle preparing to move the slide back for disassembly. The only thing left to do was pull the trigger. That resulted in a blast and (no doubt) a stream of verbal excitement.
But it was Unloaded!
Sure it was. That’s why you have that extra body piercing now.
Apparently, the round in the chamber failed to extract and no one thought it prudent to (1) check it visually and physically or (2) use the armorers’ grip to move the slide back after making sure the gun was pointed in a safe direction and then pulling the trigger.
But that was apparently to much trouble. Almost as much as a trip to the ER at the local hospital.
Rule 2 is predicated on Rule 1.
Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover anything you don’t intend to destroy. The safe direction rule. The “laser” rule. What’s in your proximity that will stop a bullet without creating enough damage to really matter?
That, of course, follows Rule 1: Every gun is always loaded.
That’s not a range rule. It’s not “Treat every gun blah-blah-blah” nonsense. It’s a statement of absolute fact. If it’s really not loaded … prove it. Without shooting yourself. Or me.
The failure in the case above was a failure of a round to extract and eject. That’s hardly common, but it’s hardly unheard of either. It’s the snake under the rock next to where your keys went when you dropped them. If you reach without looking, nature will take its course.
If you’re lucky, you’ll know better next time. And there will be a next time. If you’re lucky.
I’ve seen it play out in armories, gun shops, on ranges and in “let’s put lighter springs in our guns” videos on streaming services.
Keep your hand away from the muzzle.
Muzzle direction follows closely behind “All guns are always loaded” for a reason. Jeff Cooper wasn’t just sitting around one day wondering what to write. He was wondering what he could propose to keep us from hurting ourselves and others. Like the Ten Commandments, where all the rules follow two primary rules, Cooper’s Rules put the primary emphasis where it belongs…all guns are always loaded. That’s immediately followed by “… and for that reason, mind the muzzle.”
Then there’s that thing that generates the bang. Stay clear of the trigger. Finally, even if you intend to shoot – do you know that it’s really okay to shoot? Is the forward area clear of people? Where does the round go if I miss (or hit, when the target won’t stop the bullet)?
From the story linked above, our Tactical Professor, Claude Werner, related the following sound advice:
The correct thing to do is always establish a proper grip and deliberately take a sight picture whenever you press the trigger. It doesn’t matter when, do it at all times. When clearing your pistol at the range, take a sight picture on some particular target and observe what the sights do when you press the trigger. When you have to press the trigger to disassemble the pistol, aim at something that will involve the least amount of “damage to property and/or injury to personnel.”
In any event, don’t put anything that bleeds in front of the firearm. Be careful out there.
Never let the muzzle cover anything you don’t intend to destroy.
People won’t take this seriously as long as the industry promotes “appendix carry” with a loaded gun, cocked hammer or striker, and no manual safety.
Appendix carry is fine. The gun and holster rest in front of the equipment and nestle between the legs when sitting. If appendix carry was so dangerous we’d hear stories every week of people shooting themselves. It’s about as common as shooting oneself in the rear with a 4:00 position, which is to say it’s rare user error.
It does seem easier to conceal. I’d consider it for Israeli carry (empty chamber).
Everyone’s first safety lesson should be that video of the DEA agent “clearing the gun” then shooting himself in the foot. That video is a treasure trove of lessons.
Two types of gun owners: those that have had a negligent discharge, and those that haven’t… yet.
The moment you assume you are safe is when Murphy shows up to prove otherwise.
Ask me how I know.…
So where’s my comment that was held for moderation this morning? I was the first to comment, and it was held yet again (though I can never understand for what reasons, whether here or on that other previous site which is even worse now).
Haz, did it say it was awaiting moderation? Sometimes when I try to post a comment, the page refreshes and my comment doesn’t post. It never says anything about moderation. I think that happens when the system thinks I’m a spammer due to my IP address. I can clear my cache, change my IP, come back and it will post.
I want to see your comment. Try again.
Some think there is such a thing as being “too safe”.
In reality one is either safe or not safe and “too safe” does not exist.
Apply that attitude to ” I thought it was empty” and there is a disaster waiting to happen.
Luck is a good thing, but luck is dependent on a person’s actions in doing the right things.
Then, I suppose, one can call it luck based on their proper actions.
What I am trying to say is: Depending on luck alone without exercising any actions is a recipe for bad luck.
Faith without action is mere mental consent. Faith and or believing in the Firearms Safety Rules is not enough.
Practice may not make one perfect; but, uninterrupted practice of the Firearms Safety Rules may save one the agony of a negligent discharge.
The 4 rules are very important.
BUT there is the number one rule that everyone needs to remember at ALL times Don’t be a Dumbass!
Strangely that posted immediately