As I "matured" I've noticed that Mas is also ageing and his photos no longer show that earlier fit young father at the height of his powers, but rather they now show a bearded grandfather with greying hair.
His very latest 2014 Gun Digest book 'Gun Safety In The Home' tells how he has been shooting since he was four years old - firing his older sisters .22" rifle with his father - and 'carrying' when working in the family jewellers shop at twelve years old.
- I feel that you can tell his advice is meaningful and truthful when he details how he himself has experienced a negligent discharge in competition on a range, during a training match using a Colt 45" auto weak handed -covered by a napkin - safety off.
I own several of his more than twenty books, and many annuals and magazines containing his writings - perhaps my single most valued book is 'The Truth About Self Protection' - a paperback that is looking well "dog-eared" now following years of being lent to mates. - The best Au$12.00 I ever spent at a Sydney Gun Show years ago!
I didn't start shooting until I was fifteen years old in England - and was enjoying military cadet training at school. I managed to earn a 'First Class Shot' uniform badge on the school small-bore rifle range. (How many schools have their own Rifle-Range today?).
Just as Massad writes - guns are a type of power tool used to cut or drill holes very quickly - and deserve care and respect at all times to ensure that they only work where and when intended.
Like all other mechanical devices there are inevitable failures to function correctly - combine this with the less than perfect nature of the individual operators - the 'nuts behind the wheels' and you have the strongest possible argument for learning and using a rigid set of rules such as the late Col. Jeff Coopers four core safety rules:
A: TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS IF IT IS FULLY LOADED AND READY TO DISCHARGE.
B: NEVER POINT A FIREARM AT ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY.
C: DO NOT ALLOW YOUR TRIGGER FINGER TO BE INSIDE THE TRIGGER GUARD UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE ACT OF INTENTIONALLY FIRING THE WEAPON.
D: ALWAYS BE CERTAIN OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT.
At my long time workplace I was trained to investigate accidents - and it was known that accidents nearly always happen as the result a succession of failings rather than for one single reason. A shooter who has fixed those four "laws" into his shooting behaviour may well experience an "accident incident" but each of "the laws"will come into effect and may prevent any serious outcomes.
'Nuff said?
No comments:
Post a Comment