[MarshallDodge]

I was at a local sporting goods store today drooling over some nice guns under the glass counter. To the left of me was a guy looking and he requested to look at a gun. The employee pulls the gun out and points the gun directly at me while checking the chamber. I was a little disturbed but let it go.

Another employee walks up to me and asks if I want to see something. I told him what I wanted to see and he proceeds to check the chamber while pointing it directly at me! :beat:

I looked at the gun, checked the chamber, and handed it right back to him with the muzzle down.

A. What would you do in this situation?

B. Should I take up the issue with the store's management?

 

[GeneticsDave]

I'd just say "Whoa, don't point that thing at me!"

If it happened again, I would talk to the manager.

 

[Dustin WJ]

That's happened to me at most gun stores that I've been to. I've never said anything, but it is uncomfortable. The employees always expect that their firearms are empty, but they still need to practice muzzle control.

 

[Crusader Smithy]

If you don't mind me asking, what shop was that so I don't go there?

 

[rufus]

My favorite store is Gallensons. I haven't been hosed down by any of their current staff. Matter of fact, the last time in, the employee went out of his was NOT to point the gun at me or anyone else. I made a point of thanking him within earshot of the owner.

 

[ian husford]

I've had it happen at a couple of stores and I mentioned it to at least one sales person and they made me feel like I was being paranoid for no good reason. I AM PARANOID! I don't like having muzzles pointed at me. I also had this happen at a gun range. I quickly packed everything up and complained to the rangemaster on my way out.

ian

 

[Crusader Smithy]

I've been on the other side of this. One gets use to customers pointing guns at you because almost everyone does it. Though I have to sat that we appreciate the few that don't. Recently we had a customer that thought he knew everything and was pointing a rifle in the general direction of other customers. One of the owners asked him to watch the muzzle. Actually because of the dumbfounded look on customers face he had to tell him several times, very tactfully and nice. The customer got ticked off said,"I didn't know it was loaded", and stormed out of the shop. Im glad to report that he hasn't been back.

 

[GeneticsDave]

The customer got ticked off said,"I didn't know it was loaded", and stormed out of the shop. I'm glad to report that he hasn't been back.

To read more about this, check out "On gun safety and getting your feelings hurt".

 

[Dustin WJ]

The customer got ticked off said,"I didn't know it was loaded", and stormed out of the shop. I'm glad to report that he hasn't been back.

To read more about this, check out "On gun safety and getting your feelings hurt".

Good article.

 

[James]

This happens all too often, and not only by the guy behind the counter, but the customer too. It never fails to tick me off.

I believe the rules of safe gun handling should be prominently displayed at the gun counter. This may help some, but won't be a cure all because I think there are many among us who are functionally illiterate.

I have never complained to management, but have been tempted.

Rule One - All guns are always loaded.

Rule Two - Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.

Rule Three - Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target.

Rule Four - Be sure of your target. Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot anything you have not positively identified.

*Follow all four rules at all times and accidents will never happen.

 

[Snurd]

Excellent article. Glad to see that other people don't like having guns pointed at them either. My brother had an incident where he was out bunny hunting in the middle of nowhere and they were meandering back to the truck. One of his friends had his gun slung over his shoulder as he was walking and waving the gun back and forth at people behind him. My brother told him not to point the gun at him, and he got all butt hurt and said IT'S NOT LOADED! Some people's kids.....People just need to be more careful, and not be so lame when they get called on it. I know people make mistakes, me included, but gun safety is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! :beathorse:

 

[whiptrackercracker]

Yeah thats a tough one. I try to be very watchful of my own gun actions, but there are a few slips once in a blue moon. When your in a big crowded area, it can be hard to get a good look at a gun from the side when there are people everywhere. But, I'd rather look like an idiot pointing the gun straight down and raising it up and tweaking my neck than break the rules. I get annoyed when people clear a gun straight at me, or consistently point their muzzles my direction. Muzzle sweeps at gun shops are bound to happen and sometimes unavoidable, but there is a consistent different between mistaken sweeps in a crowded area and idiots. I'm just a young gun, but a called out a gun shop clerk twice my age one time who was not only pointing the muzzle of the guns at half his customers, but also pulling the trigger to decock at the sides of the other clerks behind the counter. I got the "I've been using guns before you were born talk", but my comments caused the other clerks to join in with me, and chew his back end. This stuff is serious, we ALL have to always be vigilante of our actions and those around us.

 

[fnfnc64]

Most of the times I have seen guns pointed at people have been in gun store by the customers. If I want to see a gun, I always look down the sights with it pointed in a high corner of the store. And yet time and again I have seen customers in gun stores point guns at people. I don’t get it, in fact it’s pretty weird. I have never seen a gun store employee get on someone doing this either. If you want to sell guns (or anything) it’s never a good idea to chew your customers out, but getting guns pointed at you has to get old after a while................... :ack:

 

[UtahCFP]

Duck and weave. The person holding the firearm usually figures it out at that point. I get a kick out of how fast the students in my CFP classes start to duck and weave as well. Muzzle control is learned real quick by most folks.

I went to a production of "Annie Oakley" with my wife last week. When Annie pointed her rifle in my direction, my wife giggled as I ducked. :shock:

 

[xmirage2kx]

Duck and weave. The person holding the firearm usually figures it out at that point. I get a kick out of how fast the students in my CFP classes start to duck and weave as well. Muzzle control is learned real quick by most folks.

I went to a production of "Annie Oakley" with my wife last week. When Annie pointed her rifle in my direction, my wife giggled as I ducked. :shock:

Having some PTSD flashbacks huh :lol3: