Guns Don't Kill

There are many ways to get into trouble talking about guns, especially if you’re fond of such glib sayings as “When in doubt, shoot it out”, and “Shoot the hostage!”... So when the subject comes up I must always respond carefully.

Every once in a while, someone tries to convince me of the error of my becoming a firearm instructor. Some folks are judgmental, although reserved; I suppose they are curious about the job itself as well, but don’t want to admit it. And then there are the shrill people with an open agenda. Invariably it is pointed out how unsafe guns are.

From the uninitiated I hear about “accidental” discharges. These are cited as examples; used in an attempt to persuade me that my profession is not a worthwhile endeavor. The funny thing is that nothing could be farther from the truth.

I can’t even remember how old I was when I first squeezed the trigger of a weapon. It was back on Aunt Bonnie’s farm, and Dad was teaching me to shoot using my cousin’s .22 rifle. I remember the first lesson well because even as I ached to hold that rifle in my hands, I wasn’t allowed to so much as lay a finger on it until I could identify the safety mechanism and explain its operation.

After an eternity (or so it seemed) of demonstrating that I could properly operate the safety, I was led to the kitchen where Dad pulled up the rug by the back door. Underneath was a small hole in the floor - a hole the same diameter as a .22 caliber bullet.

The illustration has served its purpose for many years. In essence, the lesson to be learned was very simple: Shit Happens.

And so it does. Especially if you’re negligent.

Guns, by design and purpose, are inherently dangerous. However the danger lies not in their existence, but in their misuse. Some weapons, like firearms, are mechanical in nature. Some, such as a rock, for instance, are not. The link between them is that they aren’t capable of killing unless set in motion by manipulation of their essential parts.

I spend very little time teaching people to actually fire weapons - I could show a monkey how to do that... My most important lessons are about when, and how, to not fire a weapon. It’s a constant drill that I’m only too happy to perform.

Awareness is the key to all things. We must admit that there are risks in life, no matter what your
occupation or pastime. Every moment is an opportunity for disaster - ignoring or failing to implement practices that reduce or eliminate those risks are grounded in a lack of awareness.

Firearms are simply tools, and the fact that they are designed for the purpose of killing should give the user some important clues as to how they must be handled. And so I say: if the trigger-actuator-nut is faulty, don’t blame the gun.

If we observe the most basic rule of weapon safety, “Treat guns as if they were loaded at all times”, we can see that the potential for an unintentional discharge is greatly reduced. Observe two more: “Never point a gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot”, and “Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire”, then we may conclude that there is no such thing as an “accidental” discharge.

Maybe the next time someone tells me that guns are unsafe, I will agree that gas ovens are safer. But you won’t catch me sticking my head into one.

And yes, I’m aware of the contradiction; harping on safety, when what I really do for a living is teach folks more effective methods of killing. But I choose to ensure that my students, who include my wife and kids, don’t get caught short before, during, or after the next Revolution.

Welcome to the Jungle baby...

At least they won’t shoot themselves in the foot, or each other out of ignorance.