Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome.che.wisc.edu!hunting
From: rrubert@cisncc.intel.com (Rod Rubert)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Hunting "Accidents"
Message-ID: <1991Jun13.085430.18808@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 13 Jun 91 13:54:29 GMT
Lines: 35
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu
Originator: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

In article <1991Jun6.084215.2023@doug.cae.wisc.edu> John Holand
responds to a suggestion about learning to hunt by hunting with
an empty weapon under supervision. He responds as follows:


>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


   I was taken back by John's reaction. The original poster did not
imply any unsafe practices. In fact, the concept was that the 
student treat the rifle as if it were loaded (as is proper).
I would like to point out that empty weapon drills are a common
training technique. I always operate every function of a new 
firearm, many times, unloaded at home, before I go to a range.
Practicing firearm technique, unloaded does not imply that saftey
rules are being violated. What is the problem?



		Rod Rubert