Woman shot while hugging off-duty cop

[Clipper]

now.msn.com/now/0708-woman-shot-hug

There is something rather alarming about an off duty cop having a round in the chamber of his off duty weapon. I can see being ready to fire while on duty, where a situation may find him facing a loaded weapon and may need to be able to fire quickly to save his own life or the life of another. Is that same state of readiness necessary when attending a birthday lawn party?

Maybe Corner can shed some light on the subject, being both a retired law enforcement officer, and a handgun safety instructor.

[corner]

an un chambered gun is not condusive to staying alive. she actually would have to have somhow pulled the trigge rgiving the location of the shot it must have been a shoulder holster, guns dont fire by themselves or he pulled the trigger thinking he was being assaulted..this was not a pure accident

[Clipper]

I have to say that I find that rather unsettling. It goes against all I was ever taught about carrying a weapon. I guess maybe in the future I will be a little wary of walking behind a plain clothes or off-duty cop. At least with a holster on the hip or a weapon tucked in the back of their waistband all they will do is shoot themselves in the foot or make their butt crack a little deeper.

I understand the principle behind an on-duty cop having a round chambered at all times, but I guess I had never given the scenario much thought. Are you saying that EVERY gun owner that carries for self protection should keep a round chambered and ready to fire?

I DO like the idea that many of the Gangsta types carry their gun tucked in the front of their waistband. I wonder how many of them blow their own nuts off. It's too bad that they don't carry with the weapon strapped to their chest with the muzzle pointed up under their chin.

[corner]

yes when defending oneself speed is of the essence faster to draw and fire than to draw rack the slide and fire (Israeli style)

[Clipper]

Do they actually teach that in handgun safety classes? Wow. It has been many years since I took my original course, and many years since my NRA hunter's safety course, but it was pounded into our heads back then to NEVER carry a weapon around with a round in the chamber. Even when carrying a revolver it was recommended that the hammer be on an empty chamber when the weapon was holstered. I was always a strong believer in insuring that even a long gun was either unloaded or had it's safety on and chamber empty unless actively stalking or sitting on a stand.

[Deleted]

I alway thought they carried the gun around the lower leg near the ankle. At least that is what I remember from TV programs I have watched. The birthday lawn party might have had some Mafia attending and the officer was undercover.

[corner]

Jul 9, 2012 13:21:37 GMT -5 Clipper said:

Do they actually teach that in handgun safety classes? Wow. It has been many years since I took my original course, and many years since my NRA hunter's safety course, but it was pounded into our heads back then to NEVER carry a weapon around with a round in the chamber. Even when carrying a revolver it was recommended that the hammer be on an empty chamber when the weapon was holstered. I was always a strong believer in insuring that even a long gun was either unloaded or had it's safety on and chamber empty unless actively stalking or sitting on a stand.

guns have for years been safe enuff to carry fully loaded the empty chamber idea was on the original colt peace maker (the gun that won the west as it could fire if dropped on the hammer u need to come up and take my class an empty chamber can get you killed under the stress of a defensive situation.

[Clipper]

Not much need to retake the handgun course. I don't carry anymore and don't own a handgun anymore. I keep three loaded guns in the house. Loaded but no round in the chamber. A 12 gauge with 5 rounds loaded near the kitchen door, a 22 with a nine shot clip of hollow points near the front door, and a model 94 Winchester 30-30 in the gun cabinet. If someone were to break in, I think I would get to one gun or another.

It's a hell of a world we live in when we have to keep loaded weapons in order to feel secure with the dope crazed morons wandering the world today.