SayUncle proposes an addition to the four rules because of this incident here. I’ll vote yes on that one, but one good practice to get into with Glocks is to remove the holster with the firearm in it. My Glock never leaves the holster unless it’s going away unloaded for long term storage. I’m not a fan of removing a gun from its holster just because.
I use this holster, which is easily removed with the gun in the holster. It requires a quality belt, of proper size to match the clip, because if you don’t it can come off (I’ve had it happen) and the next thing you know there will be a holstered gun at your feet. The leather loops are more forgiving. The good thing about the Glock is also the bad thing about the Glock. If you pull the trigger, it’s going to go bang.
This guy now finds himself facing charge of reckless handling of firearms under the Virginia Code, which is a class one misdemeanor. That won’t make you a prohibited person for the purposes of firearms possession, but I doubt he’ll keep his license to carry.
I am not a gun owner. But that seems kind of harsh…the penalties he is facing. It was an accident after all and no one got hurt. I could see if he seriously injured someone, but losing your license to carry over something like doesn’t seem right.
Skeeter Skelton quoted Bill Jordan as saying that “Automatics will get you shot.” While I don’t believe that as it is stated, it does make clear that you must have a thorough understanding of any gun you use, and train so it performs with you, and not against you. Guns are so much easier than chainsaws……my list of chainsaw rules is up to 22, and violating even one rule can be fatal.
I picked that rule 5 up some time ago from someone else. The fact is any modern handgun is safer hitting the ground then trying to grab for it. When my stepson started shooting last year, he had to learn rule 5 the same as the other 4. almost a year later I still quiz him on the FIVE rules *and* the reasons behind them.
Another reason to like the Grip Safety on XD’s.
“My Glock never leaves the holster unless it’s going away unloaded for long term storage.”
Same here.
Recklessness denotes wanton behavior, being absolutely heedless of the consequences of one’s actions (i.e. gross negligence). From what I’m reading about the incident, this doesn’t seem to rise to that level. A firearm was headed towards the ground, which itself could lead to an AD, and the accused made a reasonable attempt to prevent impact. That he failed isn’t necessarily relevant to determine if his conduct was wanton. That he acted in the face of a potential ND to try to prevent it likely is.
Excuse me, but I thought someone recently told me modern handguns don’t go off if you drop them. Is that why it’s recommended to let them drop? Do they sometimes fire even though they shouldn’t?
Modern handguns don’t go off if you drop them. There are some cheap pieces of shit the manufactures made in the past that could, in theory, go off if dropped. But generally speaking you’re better off letting the gun drop. You’re more likely to accidentally discharge it grabbing at a falling gun than the gun is likely to go off.
This guy’s mistake was having a regular bad habit. It’s best to leave a gun in the holster unless you’re securing it for long term storage. If you have kids around, leave it in the holster and put it in a quick open pistol safe. Part of safe gun handling is reducing the opportunity for mistakes.