Do the 4 rules always apply?

[NHT3]

There have been questions similar to this but after reading about the firearms instructor shooing the pastor and being at the range today the thought crossed my mind as to when to speak up where the 4 rules are concerned. They always apply for me personally but when you are at a shop and the person behind the counter sweeps you while handing someone else a gun do you say something? If you watch a customer or employee sweep themselves or each other do you step in and try to educate or just and look the other way? After seeing it happen once I just sat down and observed and was amazed at the stunning lack of firearm safety knowledge in the room. I wasn't sure what the correct course of action should be so I just did a lot of this and kept my mouth shut.. When I see it at Pararabellum I address it but in neutral territory, so to speak I was at a loss. Seems like there should be a simple answer or at least one that is reasonable but I certainly can't come up with anything.. What say you INGO?

Glock certified armorer- M&P Certified armorer
NRA Basic pistol instructor[FONT=&amp] /[/FONT][FONT=&amp] RSO[/FONT]
Bright Firearms instructor traineeJ

 

[HoughMade]

Kirk, oh Kirk!!!

Somebody's playing your song.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

1. The Four Rules always apply.

2. Calling out unsafe behavior has consequences. People are defensive. Be advised.

INGO Four Rules Critics:

 

[NHT3]

1. The Four Rules always apply.

2. Calling out unsafe behavior has consequences. People are defensive. Be advised.

I was hoping for someone to tell me something I don't already know
Glock certified armorer- M&P Certified armorer
NRA Basic pistol instructor[FONT=&amp] /[/FONT][FONT=&amp] RSO[/FONT]
Bright Firearms instructor trainee

 

[SEIndSAM]

1. The Four Rules always apply.

2. Calling out unsafe behavior has consequences. People are defensive. Be advised.

I'm 53, called out my own 73 yr old dad a couple of years ago......
He didn't like it, but he never did it again since, and there have been several family shoots since that time.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I was hoping for someone to tell me something I don't already know

Ok, then: rhino is actually a good guy.

 

[pudly]

Ok, then: rhino is actually a good guy.

Quoted in case Kirk tries to erase the evidence.

 

[Mgderf]

It's never the wrong time to do the right thing.

 

[rhino]

 

[actaeon277]

Guy at Gander Mountain kept sweeping me.
I finally said something, and he mumbled it was "unloaded".

I asked him if he ever seen in the news where someone was killed with an "unloaded" gun.
He had.

He had a daughter.
I asked him to imagine trying to explain to the wife that he accidently shot her with and "unloaded" gun.

 

[lovemachine]

I don't think blue guns apply.

And there are times when you're carrying, the gun may be pointing at your body parts. I think that's an exception to the 4 rules.

 

[CampingJosh]

Which four rules? I know the general idea, but the specific wording you use makes a difference.

I argued with a guy once who said it's unsafe to look down the barrel of a rifle at any time in any situation. When the bolt has been removed from the rifle, I disagree.

So what exactly are these four rules? What they are changes everything.

 

[bwframe]

I don't think blue guns apply.

And there are times when you're carrying, the gun may be pointing at your body parts. I think that's an exception to the 4 rules.

Blue guns should be treated as real guns, other than specific controlled FOF scenarios.

If you're pointing the gun at yourself, you're not following the Four Rules, no exceptions.

I argued with a guy once who said it's unsafe to look down the barrel of a rifle at any time in any situation. When the bolt has been removed from the rifle, I disagree...

Disassembled guns that cannot fire are not really guns, just parts.

 

[canterbc]

I brought up the fact that with a shoulder holster, the firearm is nearly always pointed at an unintended target. I believe the consensus on here was that you could violate 1 rule at a time without harm. I personally don't agree. Accidents happen. Guns fail. The rules, all of them, always apply. The consequences are just too great.

 

[canterbc]

Blue guns should be treated as real guns, other than specific controlled FOF scenarios.

Unless you are teaching a kid or something, I guess I just don't agree. A blue gun is not a gun. There is absolutely zero possible danger posed by them. It's less dangerous than a squirt gun.

 

[lovemachine]

Blue guns should be treated as real guns, other than specific controlled FOF scenarios.

If you're pointing the gun at yourself, you're not following the Four Rules, no exceptions.


Disassembled guns that cannot fire are not really guns, just parts.

I disagree. When carrying AIWB, and I'm sitting down, and my holstered gun happens to point at my thigh, there is nothing unsafe about that as long as I'm using a quality holster.

 

[lovemachine]

I'm not saying the 4 rules should never be broken. But 2 of the rules need to be broken in order for it to become deadly.

Common sense is key.

 

[SteveM4A1]

I brought up the fact that with a shoulder holster, the firearm is nearly always pointed at an unintended target. I believe the consensus on here was that you could violate 1 rule at a time without harm. I personally don't agree. Accidents happen. Guns fail. The rules, all of them, always apply. The consequences are just too great.

Firearms safety rules apply when the firearm is being handled. A properly holstered firearm shouldn't need to be handled unless putting on or taking off. Do we also take issue with all of handguns pointed at us on the shelves at stores? No, because they aren't being handled. Unless of course you have mind powers

 

[bwframe]

I disagree. When carrying AIWB, and I'm sitting down, and my holstered gun happens to point at my thigh, there is nothing unsafe about that as long as I'm using a quality holster.

You are correct. Holstered and cased guns don't count. The Four Rules apply to gun handling. If you are pointing the gun at yourself while holstering, it is a violation of the rules though.

Unless you are teaching a kid or something, I guess I just don't agree. A blue gun is not a gun. There is absolutely zero possible danger posed by them. It's less dangerous than a squirt gun.

The Four Rules don't apply to inert guns. Good gun handling as a practice would dictate proper handling though. Sloppy is sloppy. A training tool should be treated as a tool, not a toy.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Blue guns aren't guns. They are plastic gun shaped objects. The 4 rules are for guns. Not things shaped like guns. Not holster molds, not pop tarts chewed into a gun shape, not squirt guns. Guns.