Loaded chamber indicator?
This was one of the most gut wrenching stories I've ever had to write. Not just because it involves a child's near death, but because it involved a police officer shooting his own child.
http://knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5474656,00.html
I had to ask the question about the loaded chamber indicator when the briefing deputy said the officer thought the chamber was empty. Personally, I see no need for such an indicator. The only handgun I own with a loaded chamber indicator is my Beretta 92, but I don't hardly notice the thing and cant remember ever checking it.
The best safety is the person behind the weapon. If the weapon had not been pointed at the officer's daughter when it went off, all we would have is an accidental discharge.
http://knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5474656,00.html
I had to ask the question about the loaded chamber indicator when the briefing deputy said the officer thought the chamber was empty. Personally, I see no need for such an indicator. The only handgun I own with a loaded chamber indicator is my Beretta 92, but I don't hardly notice the thing and cant remember ever checking it.
The best safety is the person behind the weapon. If the weapon had not been pointed at the officer's daughter when it went off, all we would have is an accidental discharge.
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My friend has a HK USP 45 that has a loaded chamber indicator. I was holding his pistol and looked to see if the indicator was sticking out and showing the red and it wasn't. Thankfully I was only holding the pistol and looking down the sights and not shooting or doing something I shouldn't have, because the gun was loaded, the loaded chamber indicator failed to work. It is scary thought, but it helps reinforce that you must treat every gun as if it were loaded. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by fivefivesix
you must treat every gun as if it were loaded.
+1
I keep mine locked in the safe when my nephew is around.0 -
My guess is he didn't clear it before pulling the trigger to start the disassembling and also he obviously didn't have it pointed in a safe direction. 0 -
The first thing I do when I pick up a gun is to check to see if its loaded. 0 -
I hope the little girl survives. While it's acceptable if your carelessness kills you, it's a mortal sin for it to kill anyone else.[:(] 0 -
My PT111 has one, it's tough to see even in good light, let alone low light.
What a terrible story.0 -
quote:Originally posted by yawarakai
quote:Originally posted by fivefivesix
you must treat every gun as if it were loaded.
+1
cant say it enough, always treat a gun as if it was loaded.0 -
..so sad. The guy is an idiot if he depends on the indicator to "see" if a round is chambered and ready...[V][:(!] 
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Sad news sorry.my 1945 walther p-38 has an indicater that sticks out the rear of the slide. can be felt when hammer is cocked even in total darkness...modern isn't always improved! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by shoff14
The first thing I do when I pick up a gun is to check to see if its loaded.
X-ring.
You should really do this every time you pick up a gun, so that it becomes a habit, even if its a gun you just put down.
I was actually taught not to accept a gun from someone else that is loaded. (The action has to be open before you take it).
That way you ALWAYS load it yourself, and you therefore KNOW its loaded (because you just loaded it).0 -
quote:Originally posted by beantownshootah
quote:Originally posted by shoff14
The first thing I do when I pick up a gun is to check to see if its loaded.
X-ring.
You should really do this every time you pick up a gun, so that it becomes a habit, even if its a gun you just put down.
I was actually taught not to accept a gun from someone else that is loaded. (The action has to be open before you take it).
That way you ALWAYS load it yourself, and you therefore KNOW its loaded (because you just loaded it).
I also agree with this thinking. I am not an LEO or a SOLDIER.I do not believe in safeties,I don't load a firearm until I'm ready to shoot!0 -
As a hunter education instructor I preach two rules= first, point the muzzle in the safest direction possible at all times; second- be absolutely sure of target prior to pressing trigger. Seems to me the officer didn't observe either of these rules. 0 -
Same as above, Funny that I had learned the loaded chamber indicator as a kid on my moms Savage Mod 99. Long story short, I was always told to always LOOK first! No. #1 Drill. for me as a young lad. 0 -
All my guns have a chamber loaded indicator. Its that nice shiny brass casing - you just open the action and look to see it! Simple! 0 -
The loaded chamber indicator is just a red herring. The issue is safety training.
The reserve officer had 40 hours total training and 8 hours of that involved firearms training, mostly classroom training including use of some kind of simulator and only one trip to the live fire range.
I have been teaching people to shoot and teaching safety almost as long as I've been shooting. Some people take longer to get it than others. My 10 year old has been shooting since he was five and he still makes mistakes.
I tell people to imagine the gun can go off at any time when you are handling it. I tell them to point the muzzle at the ground when its not pointed at the target. Simple rules and some people get it right away.
Other people dont understand what I mean when I tell them they are pointing the gun at someone else when that person is across the room or standing to the side.
A trained instructor needs to watch the trainee in action to see how he handles the gun under a variety of circumstances to be able to determine if the trainee really "gets it."0 -
My SOP, as taught by my Dad from the time I started shooting was when cleaning any firearm to remove ALL AMMO from the cleaning area.
Put all ammo away where you have to get up to go get it.
Prayers sent up for the little girl and her parents.0 -
He was cleaning his weapon when it discharged???????
Hard lesson, at his daughters expense.0 -
quote:Originally posted by iwannausername
All my guns have a chamber loaded indicator. Its that nice shiny brass casing - you just open the action and look to see it! Simple!
I like this. [^][^][^][^][^][^]
I bet it works evertime.0 -
Sad [V], I hope she comes out of this Ok. As a father with daughters I can't imagine what he is going threw mentally. [V] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by hughbetcha
The loaded chamber indicator is just a red herring. The issue is safety training.
The reserve officer had 40 hours total training and 8 hours of that involved firearms training, mostly classroom training including use of some kind of simulator and only one trip to the live fire range.
For Ohio Security I have 120 hours. 20 hours is firearms and yearly we have to do the recertification. I go to the range every other month to practice (more if I can afford but i can't)
quote:
I tell people to imagine the gun can go off at any time when you are handling it. I tell them to point the muzzle at the ground when its not pointed at the target. Simple rules and some people get it right away.
Other people dont understand what I mean when I tell them they are pointing the gun at someone else when that person is across the room or standing to the side.
Too true, I have seen this at the local range. Went in for some shooting and a guy in there is talking and waving around his .40 semi auto all over the place not even watching what he is doing.0 -
I have mixed emotions on this one! Of course I feel terrible about the child, I can think of no worse pain for a parent!! However on the conduit of the gun owner ...relying on a "loaded chamber indicator" to dictate IF you don't have to worry about where you're pointing a weapon is reprehensible! First law in handling a "gun" ...you ALWAYS treat it as if it were loaded!!! 0 -
I don't own a Glock, but my understanding is, you drop the hammer on an empty chamber as part of the disassembling process, thus the need for a "loaded chamber indicator". What a crock of Soot. It goes against every thing I have been taught or have taught my son about guns. To me just another reason to use Glocks as an anchor. My prayer go out to the LEO and his family 0 -
I noticed that some of you are focusing on the "loaded chamber indicator". In the article it says that the gun did not have one on it. I think the biggest mistake he made was allowing his 5 yr.old child anywhere near him while he was cleaning his gun. 0 -
Fact: All guns have a loaded Chamber indicator!!! YOU!!!!
Because that gun is loaded!!! Even if you just checked it... its loaded.
First rule my dad taught me... never point a gun at anyone you don't intend to kill!! Empty, loaded or cleaning.
FYI the second thing he taught me.... when it was ok to point a gun at a man. (and that has yet to happen to me) Thank God!!!0
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