I agree with Moms Demand Action on one point: gun safety is extremely important. But while their definition of “gun safety” is the absence of even a picture of a gun, I believe that with a little training, anyone can safely enjoy the wonderful world of gunpowder and lead. So while I appreciate the fact that today’s winner was attempting to demonstrate how safe guns can be, pressing a gun against your head to demonstrate a clear chamber isn’t a method I’d advocate . . .
From the Oakland Press:
A 36-year-old Independence Township (Michigan) man is dead after he shot himself in the head while demonstrating the gun, deputies reported.
The girlfriend, who also lived at the Independence Township residence, told deputies the victim had been drinking most of the day.
She told authorities that he had begun showing her how to use his three handguns and demonstrating how safe they were when they were empty, which he did by placing the gun to his head and pulling the trigger, officials said.
After doing this twice, he demonstrated the third handgun and the gun fired, striking him in the head.
Just a few quick notes for those playing along at home.
First, alcohol and guns never mix. If you’re drinking, the guns get locked up. Alcohol has a tendency to impair the decision-making process, and that can lead to disaster when handling firearms. So even if you’ve only had one beer, you might want to switch to tinkering with the car rather than your guns.
Second, remember all of the safety rules. We rip on gun control advocates when they decide to only promote only their favorite Constitutional amendments, so we should be even more aware of not falling into that same trap with our own behaviors. The four rules exist for a very good reason. You have to break at least two of them for something bad to happen. And number one on the list is every gun is always loaded. Especially if you, similarly, are loaded.
Third, it’s never a good idea to demonstrate that a gun is unloaded by pulling the trigger — with one exception. If you’re at the range, or have the gun pointed into a clearing barrel, even if the gun is loaded the round won’t end up anywhere it shouldn’t. But if you don’t have a large dirt berm or a clearing barrel handy, visually and physically check the gun instead.
Stay safe, folks.