On 2002-09-15 01:34, madguy wrote:
The reason is simple… guns shoot people in the foot, not people!
I do not believe in so-called gun control laws. But some people don’t behave very responsibly. An old classmate of my father’s tried to commit suicide with a handgun, once. He’s still living, but has no nose.
Speaking professionally, from a Podiatric point of view, I would have to say… I have no idea!!
A number of years ago, my stepson was taken to the ER because he supposedly shot himself in the foot with a friend’s pellet gun while they were fooling around. The ER Doc did a little Quincy thing and deduced that Chris could not have possibly done it due to the angle of the entry wound. Chris finally admitted that his friend had accidently done it and Chris was just covering for him (on the theory that it is pretty stupid to shoot yourself in the foot, but the gunshot is it’s own punishment, whereas to shoot a friend is REALLY bad). I wonder if this might be the case in some of the other injuries
On 2002-09-14 21:22, StevePower wrote:
I doubt that your question was actually about guns, in any ‘real’ sense, was it Dale? As usual, it appears that you are being subtle. I’d prefer you to come out with ‘all guns blazing’.Steve
No. I’m afraid I’d shoot myself in the foot.
John - Funny you should mention someone shooting himself in the rear. During years on the firing range at the outdoor police range, I’d always heard tell of some guy who’d shot himself in the rear while on the line; I never could figure out how. It was only recently that I discovered in the course of casual conversation that he was someone I’d known all those years!
Bottom line is it doesn’t pay to assume, take for granted or be careless ever when handling firearms.
Philo
On 2002-09-14 21:08, jim_mc wrote:
Well, I’ve never fired anything but a musket, but it would be pretty hard to shoot yourself by accident with a rifle or shotgun in any other body part.
There was a comedian (I wanna say Blake Clark) who would occasionally read newspaper stories. He had one from Texas, which said something to the effect that a guy was found dead with two bullet wounds to the chest. The local sherriff also found a few feet away from him a 30-06 (high-powered rifle) which had fired two rounds. They ruled the death a suicide. The comedian added, “You’ve really got to admire the guy. Personally, after I’d pointed the muzzle at my chest and pulled the trigger with my toe, I’d probably have given up after one round.”
On 2002-09-14 23:35, John Allison wrote:
While serving as a Navy Hospital Corpsman it was standard procedure to accompany the Marines to the shooting range because they were constantly shooting each other!
Interesting. I was a corpsman assigned to the Marine Corps. Never had anyone shoot someone on the range (or even come close). However, we did have a gate guard shoot his partner by accident (playing “quick-draw”). Both were kicked out of the corps. The one who did the shooting, and the one who got shot, since he was the senior member on duty, and was letting the other marine play with the weapon.
I’m slow, but I finally understand the question.
I have another question. This is kind of a moral dilemma.
If I know that someone is dumb enough to shoot themself in the foot, is it wrong for me to leave a loaded gun where they might pick it up?
On 2002-09-16 02:57, jim_mc wrote:
If I know that someone is dumb enough to shoot themself in the foot, is it wrong for me to leave a loaded gun where they might pick it up?
Only if you’re within range of them.
Sometimes darwinism needs a little nudge.
–quote–
I have another question. This is kind of a moral dilemma.
If I know that someone is dumb enough to shoot themself in the foot, is it wrong for me to leave a loaded gun where they might pick it up?
–endquote–
Of course, I know this isn’t a literal question, but a lifetime of being around guns leads me to answer it literally first: if you ever leave a loaded gun anywhere, it is absolutely your fault if anyone or anything is damaged by it. Also this is true if you ever leave an unloaded gun or even ammo anywhere where anyone can get to it. The only safe place to leave a weapon is a locked safe.
OK, now to the deeper question you are really asking: can we really get rid of all the “loaded guns”? Do we really live in a world where we can reasonably remove every way it which a person can damage themselves?
For instance, if you refer to the Internet as a “loaded gun,” (and many have)–can you make it “safe” without in fact destroying the essense of what it is? Wouldn’t a “safe” Internet be just cable TV for computers? 1,999,999,990 channels but nothing on?
You could even refer (in a purely hypothetical sense, of course) to a popular online whistling message board as being a “loaded gun,” as certainly people seem to be standing in line for the chance to shoot themselves in the foot with it lately (hypothetically, of course). 
Best to all,
–James
http://www.flutesite.com
[ This Message was edited by: peeplj on 2002-09-16 12:00 ]
On 2002-09-16 11:57, peeplj wrote:
You could even refer (in a purely hypothetical sense, of course) to a popular online whistling message board as being a “loaded gun,” as certainly people seem to be standing in line for the chance to shoot themselves in the foot with it lately (hypothetically, of course). >
Of course, hypothetically.
In the meantime, Dale’s praying that no overly-vocal Canadian gets slapped with a lawsuit by an overly-zealous whistle vendor.
Y’know, it’d be so much easier if they weren’t on opposite sides of the Big Pond. They could just meet on some village green at daybreak an have it out with blackthorn shillelaghs or Susato Low Ds and the rest of us could then retire to a nearby public house and analyze the duel properly over a glass or three.
Its a shame that the participation of lawyers is threatened. This used to be a civil (as opposed to civilized) board.
On 2002-09-16 13:59, StevePower wrote:
Either way, you’re not welcome in my shop. If you enter it, I’ll call the Gardi and tell them about the very real physical threat that I percieved you made against me in writing.
He’s gonna call the law.
Reasonable Person
W a l d e n
When a whistler plays, he stirs up the air and makes it hit any passing eardrums. But if he is good, he knows how to keep it from hurting.
On 2002-09-16 13:07, Chuck_Clark wrote:
Y’know, it’d be so much easier if they weren’t on opposite sides of the Big Pond. They could just meet on some village green at daybreak an have it out with blackthorn shillelaghs or Susato Low Ds and the rest of us could then retire to a nearby public house and analyze the duel properly over a glass or three.Its a shame that the participation of lawyers is threatened. This used to be a civil (as opposed to civilized) board.
Hmmm … Perhaps a more common civil (as opposed to civilized) response is in order.
The topic’s “Why do people shoot themselves in the foot?” So what would be the proper ‘participation of lawyers’?
I got it! Replacement target for big toe.
Ahh… an option worthy of additional analysis down the pub, between a tune or two.
Of course most common civil options are worthy of such analysis.
And when the folks duelin’ on the green get done they’re all welcome to join us. Because after a pint or two they may recognize it’s not about how expensive the instrument or how many toes you have left. It’s about how you …
\
Enjoy Your Music,
Lee Marsh
[ This Message was edited by: LeeMarsh on 2002-09-16 14:50 ]
Well, I hate to say it, but this whole Az/Steve thread has followed the standard structure of a typical usenet flame war (right down to threats of libel suits and the like) that it’s down right boring. Hadda happen here eventually I guess.
On 2002-09-16 15:11, Wandering_Whistler wrote:
Well, I hate to say it, but this whole Az/Steve thread has followed the standard structure of a typical usenet flame war (right down to threats of libel suits and the like) to the point that it’s down right boring. Hadda happen here eventually I guess.
On 2002-09-16 15:11, Wandering_Whistler wrote:
Well, I hate to say it, but this whole Az/Steve thread has followed the standard structure of a typical usenet flame war (right down to threats of libel suits and the like) that it’s down right boring. Hadda happen here eventually I guess.
Yes, but it true C & F fashion it has been smoothly derailed into a listing of possible plots for the “Enterprise” series that would have resulted from an unfortunate choice of captain (Cap’n George Costanza)
MarkV
DaleWisely, here is my serious answer to your serious question. And, StevePower, before you call your lawyer, barrister, solicitor, or attorney (or whatever they call them over in Ireland) my response should not be perceived as directed at you because it isn’t – its just my opinion about human nature in general.
What does in mean to “shoot myself in the foot”? IMO if I shoot myself in the foot that means I cause myself pain, stress, or expense that could have been prevented through more appropriate behaviour. Shooting myself in the foot usually begins with behaviour that is not as kind and selfless as it should be. Specifically, I react instead of act, I assume the worst, I think I know the motivation or intent of another, I judge hastily, I condemn before I understand, I anger unnecasarily, and so forth. Its seems that it is easier:
In doing these things I create a situation in which I cause bad feelings, misunderstandings, and so forth. In doing so I make it easier for others to follow my poor example. The problem is that once the situation has been created it requires humility on my part to admit I have acted wrongly and to try to correct it. Without humility it is likely that the situation will continue to get worse and is unlikely that the situation will reach a peaceful solution. Unfortunately, it takes more strength of character to be humble and admit when I was wrong than it would have taken to behave properly in the first place.
I have written about myself but frankly I don’t think I’m really that different than anyone else …
On 2002-09-16 17:12, garycrosby wrote:
DaleWisely, here is my serious answer to your serious question.
Thank you.
Dale, I have an aunt who shot off one of her little toes while firing my uncle’s pistol from a porch. While seated in her rocker she placed both feet on the railing and squeezed the trigger. The ER visit was not revealed for two years.
A young gunfighter wannabe recognised a famous quick-draw specialist standing in a saloon. He introduced himself and asked if the expert could share a pointer or two to speed up his draw. The old gun fighter reluctantly agreed and told the kid to simply stand with his hands naturally at his side. He then told the kid to tighten his belt and move his holster forward, so his pistol sat where the kid had naturally put his hand.
“Great!” the kid said as he fired off a shot that struck the piano. “What else, what else?” The old gunfighter took the kids pistol, examined it, and told him to go to the blacksmith’s shoppe and have some x marks put on the top of the trigger to increase friction and eliminate slip. The kid did and nearly fell over himself getting back to the bar to demonstrate his improvement. He quickly drew and fired a shot that knocked off the piano player’s hat.
“What else? What else?” the kid wanted to know. The old gunfighter told him to get some axle grease and rub it all over his pistol. “Oh, I get it” said the kid, “So it’ll slide out of the holster slicker than ever.”
“No” replied the gunslinger “So it’ll slide up your arse easier when Wyatt Earp finishes playing that tune.”