FREE GUN FRIDAY: ENTER to WIN Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0. Caldwell Target. Steiner Optics Micro Pistolsight. Viktos gift cards. Close (Photo by Wiki Image: Noah Wulf). Fred Mastison recently wrote an article on BallisticMag.com about friends who refuse gun safety. We decided to go one step further and make it open to anyone who shoots with someone who is unsafe with guns. We asked the reader on social media how long they allow this behavior to continue, whether it be a friend or a student. Are you able to give warnings or use it as a teaching moment. Do you shut it off immediately? RELATED STORY REAL TALK: What are the Worst Gun Owner Stereotypes you’ve Heard? What warnings do you give for unsafe gun handling? This is a situation-based topic, I will admit. It might be time for you to let go of a friend who is always totally unreliable at the range. This is especially true if they are a self-proclaimed expert. It might be a good opportunity to learn if you are teaching someone how to shoot. If you are teaching someone to shoot, you probably have already reviewed the rules of safe gun handling. It all depends on whether they ignored you or made a mistake. For people who don’t handle dangerous instruments regularly, it can be overwhelming to learn all the rules. But is this a valid excuse? Or should you insist that their focus matches the intensity and severity of the subject matter? In our recent Real Talk on Facebook, we gave it to you to comment. Part of the Learning Process. It seems that some readers prefer a more gentle, teachable approach. Even though tutelage is a key component of the learning process, there are still limits. One reader said that it depends on the individual’s safety. Some things are unacceptable. There are many reminders [. One commenter said, “Person/age dependent but more than twice is a no-go at this station.” How much tolerance should one show in a training situation? Is it allowing the development of bad habits that will last a lifetime? This is the premise of one poster’s feedback: “Really, it depends on their receipt to be corrected and their sincerity when f’ed up. Perfection is impossible but constant negligence [cannot] tolerated or it becomes the “new normal”. “It is obvious that most of the people who replied have never been trained in weapons handling or safe live training. One reader, who is patient, said that either they are trying to sound tough or they don’t care. Tough Love Another aspect to the equation is “good old tough love”. Imagine John Wayne taking you to the range. There wouldn’t be many mistakes. This is the kind of thing that can really sink in. You tend to take the situation more seriously when it feels dire. “One warning. One reader says, “They go.” Another reader isn’t afraid to call it what is and warns them. Any subsequent stupidity is grounds to immediate dismissal …”. However, many people understand that everyone makes mistakes and that no one is perfect. One reader pointed out that most people do something dangerous, but a firm approach can help to clean it up. “This is a great topic! I try to be friendly, but firm and give them a chance depending on their actions. 9/10 people will do something that isn’t safe, such as pointing the muzzle at people.” Some are Not So Forgiving Owning a firearm can be a serious matter and should be treated accordingly. One mistake could cost someone their life. Some people have a strict “no tolerance for mistakes at this range.” Many were concise in their answers which were echoed by many: “One” (“Once”), “Zero” (“Never”) “First time is the last.” “I don’t give warnings.” Is this a Pervasive Problem?” Is unsafe gun handling widespread in our society? Are videos of people claiming to be experts but being dangerous with firearms doing more harm than good. Are video games reducing the awareness of firearm safety and gun handling in our youth? Worse, is law enforcement even responsible for not taking firearm safety seriously? One reader is not impressed by some firearm websites. “There are many firearms sites with videos of people acting as if weapons are toys.” Another criticizes law enforcement for unsafe gun handling. “Every quarter until their retirement. Unfortunately, I was unable to fire the federal LEOs that I trained. Safe gun handling is essential, regardless of your position on the issue. This is not a simple topic. It really depends on the situation. A friend who doesn’t know better, but still puts others at risk, is not a friend of high quality. Someone who is still learning and may be nervous might need some guidance and encouragement. In a training situation, you are responsible for setting the tone. A confident and relaxed student is more likely than one who is anxious and nervous to follow safety instructions. Make sure they take it seriously and create a learning environment. No matter where you stand on the issue, this is not the solution. “One warning shot in their foot usually works the trick.” Unsafe gun handling will never be the answer to unsafe gun handling. Sign up for the Personal Defense World newsletter today to stay in the loop! Sign up for our newsletter I have read and understood the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I hereby accept them. Athlon may collect, store, process, and transfer my Personal Data and Non Personal Data for the purpose of signing me up for our newsletter. Up Next SCCY Firearms’ Updated SCCY DCY DVG1 is Now Red Dot Ready, Available in Ten Colors SCCY Firearms’ updated DVG1 was announced at SHOT Show 2022. The company decided to upgrade the pistol due to the increasing popularity of optic-ready pistols. 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