Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome.che.wisc.edu!hunting
From: jholand%peruvian@hellgate.utah.edu (John Holand)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Hunting "Accidents"
Message-ID: <1991Jun6.084215.2023@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 6 Jun 91 13:42:15 GMT
References: <1991Jun1.105510.3415@doug.cae.wisc.edu> <1991Jun3.092243.13558@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept
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Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1991Jun3.092243.13558@doug.cae.wisc.edu> emory!Dixie.Com!jgd@gatech.edu (John G. DeArmond) writes:
>
>The concept is simple.  Make the neophyte hunt with an EMPTY weapon until
>he/she proves himself capable of handling a weapon, properly identifying
>the target and properly firing.  The neophyte still goes through the
>same motions of stalking, identifying the target, assessing the shot,
>aiming and squeezing the shot off - only all he gets is a *click*.
>Meanwhile the instructor can observe all aspects of the process AND be able
>to give low key corrective instructions (no ear plugs, remember).  Once
>the proper techniques are mastered and after flinching, buck fevor and
>other ills are cured, then and only then is live fire allowed.
>

Well gee this "technique" sounds really good with one major flaw.
  A firearm should always be treated as though it were fully loaded
and ready to fire. This would take the presumption that the firearm is
"safe" for and idiot to use. Taking this asumption is wrong and 
dangerous and in itself can can cause accidents. 
  The proper techinque is through intesive education. My training in
firearms began at age 5 and continued well into my late teens. Most
states have Hunter education but that is usually just the tip of
what a person needs in the form of firearm safety education.
   You're "empty weapon" concept stinks and should not be practiced.
Treat a gun as if it is always loaded, because there is a pretty
good chance that it is. The guns that are "not loaded" are the guns
that accidently kill people.

John R. Holand