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Have you ever watched gun fail videos on YouTube and been appalled at the stupidity of some gun owners? One of the most tragic incidents occurred in 2019 when a man whose restored WWII Army jeep was on display at a show left a loaded, Condition 0 1911 in the jeep and allowed children to climb around in it. An 8-year-old found the gun and shot his mother with it, killing her. Fortunately, not all irresponsible incidents are that serious, but there is no need for irresponsible behavior of any kind.
Guns and gun ownership are constantly in the public eye and the crosshairs of the anti-2A crowd, and it is our duty as gun owners not only to maximize the safety of ourselves and those around us but to present an accurate picture of what a responsible gun owner looks like to the world. That should not be all that difficult to do, but it can be easy to get in a hurry and forget something important. Here are some reminders of the things we should avoid to neither look like nor be an irresponsible gun owner.
Not Taking Safety Seriously
This is one of the worst things a gun owner can do. There are far too many tragic stories of people shooting themselves or someone else because they were careless. These people not only cause suffering, they give all legal gun owners a black eye that the media and the anti-2A types will capitalize on shamelessly.
Some of the worst offenses are:
Not Checking to Ensure the Gun is Unloaded
Never assume the gun is unloaded, even if someone tells you it is. Whether you pick it up or it is handed to you, check for yourself.
Finger on the Trigger
Nothing makes responsible gun owners more nervous than seeing someone else handling, pointing, or loading a gun with their finger on the trigger. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire. Anything less brands you as an irresponsible gun owner and a safety hazard.
Pointing the Gun at People or Things
This is a major rule of gun safety: never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. Even if someone does everything else wrong and has a negligent discharge, if the gun is pointed in a safe direction, the harm will be minimized.
Taking Your Gun Out to Show Off/Letting Friends Handle It Casually
BBQ guns aside, pulling your gun out to show it off or look cool is not smart. Neither is handing it to a friend to casually check out, especially if they are not experienced with guns. All sorts of things can go wrong, ranging from a nervous bystander seeing it and freaking out to someone getting shot. Keep it in the holster where it belongs until you need it.
Not Knowing Your State Gun Laws
Gun laws are ridiculously complicated and many are inconsistent as well. Magazine limits, prohibited locations, and transport laws can all vary considerably. It’s on you to know the state and local laws for where you live or anywhere you travel.
Posting Your Gun on Social Media
I know some people will disagree with me on this one, and that’s fine. You can do your own thing. Posting on gun forums is one thing, but to me, posting photos of your guns on social media platforms like Facebook is asking for trouble, especially if you add comments like “We don’t call 911.” Irresponsible postings can be used against the gun owner community as a whole, and you, in particular, in the event you are involved in a defensive shooting.
Using Alcohol or Drugs While Handling a Firearm
This one should go without saying, but let’s go back to those gun fails videos. How many of the stupid people in those videos are obviously drunk? It is just as great a sign of poor judgment as driving under the influence and can turn deadly in the blink of an eye.
Letting Someone Shoot a Gun You Know They Can’t Handle
I don’t know about you, but it makes me angry when I see a video of someone letting a skinny young girl or youngster shoot a shotgun or a .50 AE handgun. It is dangerous, and it gives the shooter a very negative experience. Show some responsibility and ensure anyone you let shoot a gun is ready for it.
Leaving Your Gun Unsecured/Unattended
Only leave a gun unsecured or unattended under very specific circumstances. For example, my wife and I live in a house with no children, so we have guns on our nightstands and a few other places where we both know where they are. But if we lived in a situation where children, or even other adults, were around, we would handle things differently. An unattended gun where someone who shouldn’t have it can reach it is irresponsible and a ticking time bomb.
Not Using a Holster
Holsters secure your weapon, cover the trigger, and keep it in place. Shoving a gun down your pants like some gangsta’ is taking a chance of losing it or having it go off. The same is true for sticking one in your pocket, or in a purse or backpack. Stories of guns going off in pockets and purses abound.
Leaving Your Gun in the Car
Leaving a gun in your car is an invitation to arm a criminal. In some places, having a gun stolen from your vehicle will actually get you charged with a crime. If you must leave your gun in your car because you are going somewhere it is illegal to take it, use a car safe or some other method of securing it so that it cannot be stolen.
Not Respecting Range Etiquette
Most everyone has stories of people they saw at the range who either made them nervous or else made fools of themselves. Every range has rules, and they may differ. Know what they are and follow them. Show respect, be safe, and if there is an RSO, follow their commands. They are trying to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe range day.
Carrying a Firearm Without Proper Training
Just owning a gun, or even having a concealed carry permit, does not mean you are an expert. This is especially true for first-time gun owners. Proper training will teach you how to handle your gun safely and effectively. Training can be expensive, so if you cannot afford formal training, try asking for some guidance at a range or gun shop. Most experienced gun owners are more than happy to assist a newbie. Just be sure the person you are talking to knows what they are doing.
Not Keeping Records of Your Firearms
I understand that some people may not like keeping a record of their guns for reasons of their own, and again, that’s fine. I keep a record of all my guns just in case they are stolen or lost in a fire. It is not in the same place as my guns, and I still have the option of deciding what I disclose to whom. But in the event a gun is stolen somehow, I want to be able to give the police its serial number.
Not Using Proper Eye and Ear Protection
When I was a kid, no one used ear and eye protection. Fortunately, I never had any incidents that could have damaged my eyes, but I’m sure the tinnitus I developed after the military and my time in Iraq started on the family farm, shooting shotguns at tin cans and rabbits. Using proper protection is good for you, and it sets a good example for others.
Summary
Guns are both fun and practical tools that can literally save your life. They are powerful and deadly, but they do not do anything all by themselves; they rely on a human being to make them work. You are that human being. Respect them and use them responsibly, and you will not only be safer, but you will set a good example of what a responsible gun owner is.
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