A gun store is different then a base or war zone. I've seen live ammo come out of the chambers of 'unloaded' guns. Always preceded by "It's unloaded, I'll prove it". Not to long ago a guy working at Elwood Epps (popular gun store near me) got gut shot by some guys, "I'm sure it's unloaded" Enfield.
So, while you're right- an unloaded gun can't fire, I have seen to many people make assumptions about what's going on inside a closed action.
Also to add, getting muzzle swept by mistake in a store is a lot different then drawing a sight picture on the back of a guy standing further down the counter.
Please have your details correct before you try using them to support your position on an issue.
Our staff member was not "gut shot" in the incident to which you are referring. The unfortunate victim of the accidental discharge involving a Mauser (not Lee-Enfield) rifle was a fellow customer to the man who brought the loaded firearm into our store. The former staff member was struck by bullet fragments and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Regarding the issue of gun handling in (our) stores:
Every person who holds a valid PAL was instructed on the basic safety measures pertaining to firearms handling. Those measures include the requirement to always point a firearm in a safe direction, and never toward another individual. In our store, while space in the gun room is limited, it is inexcusable for customers to take a rifle, handgun or shotgun from our staff, then immediately turn and point it up the entrance ramp toward the main store. And yet we see this happen
on a daily basis!!! Where is the common sense in that action? Where is the personal accountability for such an action?
As for staff walking through a customer's line of sight, think about this: The staff member who provided the firearm in question to the customer did proof the weapon, working the action to ensure no rounds had been loaded into the chamber, and that the magazine was empty. Lever-action guns are proofed before a locking mechanism which binds the lever and blocks the trigger from being depressed are installed. Therefore it is considered safe for the customer to be handling said firearm(s), and for staff to pass through the line of handling without fear of a negligent discharge.
In much the same way, all customer guns brought into our store are inspected and cleared/proofed by the staff before they are removed from their cases. This measure was put in place long before the incident noted above. The incident itself occurred partly due to the customer's insistence that his firearm was unloaded, but had not been checked as such by him, and was handled by the customer before or staff was able to intercept that firearm.
Muzzle sweeping is another issue that has risen to prominence here on these boards. And while I do not advocate intentional swinging of barrels and muzzles toward or past other persons, it must be understood that there is only so much available room in any firearm store, and that with a multitude of customers in place at any given time, accidental or unintentional "sweeping" will occur. Again, the use of good judgement, of proper clearing/proofing of firearms prior to handling, and sensible awareness of one's surroundings does minimize the chances of a repeat incident such as the accidental discharge of the customer's Mauser, however it only takes one lapse in judgement or precaution to result in a catastrophe such as the one we saw here at our store.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all practices ACTS/PROVE on a religious basis? Think about how many incidents or near-accidents could be avoided if we were all
RESPONSIBLE gun owners.
