NDgettysburg said:That's all well and good for someone who's been taught gun safety.....most people aren't and don't have the common sense to think like that. MOST people who've never had any safety taught to them think just the opposite.
thereby proving once again that common sense is not a common virtue.
perhaps, then the FIRST rule of gun safety should be "if you don't know how to operate a gun, leave it alone."
it boils down to this: these kids were screwing around, and they got caught. having grown up on a farm, in a hunting family, where i got my first shotgun for my 13th birthday, i can say with absolute certainty that these things happen as a result of stupid and careless behavior, and are much more common among individuals (read - city kids) that were never taught to respect the inherent danger of a firearm. (no offense to the responsible city kids with guns)
we're starting to go in circles here, so i'm going to hang up on this thread. but I would bet my 401k that the conversation went something like this:
"hey, wanna see my gun?"
"sure." (takes the gun)
"is it loaded?" (as he randomly aims the gun in the direction of the building and squeezes the trigger)
"shit." (as they both grab their beers and flee the scene)