Do you EVER worry?

[shefearsnothing]

Do you ever worry that you'll do something stupid with a firearm? I mean make a fatal mistake with it like for example....anyone with a glock knows you have to dry fire it before you can take it apart for cleaning it. So, an example would be....forgetting to take the round out of the chamber before you do that. I know that I know basic handgun safety and I remind myself every day when I "put it on" of all the things I NEED to remember etc. I know all the common sense stuff and I take my time when I am getting ready to "do anything" with it like cleaning etc. I still worry though. I know I am human and I feel that by worrying I am somehow keeping myself in check. Does that make sense? I guess I am saying I keep myself from being too cocky or whatever...hoping that makes me more safe. UGH! Am I conveying this right? I don't mean to imply that I'm incompetent. I hope I'm making some kind of sense.

[fonz]

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do for awhile but it doesnt get you anywhere. But yes I do worry about stuff. You should see how many times I check the chamber on my 1911 before cleaning or anything. Borderline OCD.

[Zef_66]

Yes, I think you make perfect sense. I don't worry so much about it, as I remind myself that things can happen if I don't double check, and remember all the safety rules. Like you said, once you start telling yourself that you have been around firearms for years, you know how to handle one, and nothing can happen to you, is the day something will happen.

I think about this very much like I think about driving. I have been driving for years. It is second nature for me to get in the car, start it up, and drive down the road. I don't have to think about "how" to drive. I just know. But I also know that if I don't stay alert to my surroundings and drive defensively (meaning anticipating what other drivers are going to do, or not do), then something will surely happen. And it may very well be my fault for being complacent.

[PocketProtector]

This kind of worry is more like respect and once you lose respect for a firearm you are an ND waiting to happen.

[normanvin]

Sure you make sense.

I don't so much worry as I am respectful of what can happen. There is the old adage in carpentry. "Measure twice cut once". This can sort of apply to guns. When in doubt check again. And never point it at anything you would want to destroy. I am sure I am not saying anything that you or any one else here hasn't heard or said a hundred times.

[crakkajakka15]

At night when I unload for the day i must rack my slide like 15 times jsut to make sure nothing is in there...ill even have the chambered round in my hand and yet will still rack the slide just to check...same with cleaning.

[KnightZero]

Even after checking the chamber a half dozen times, walking the rounds and both mags across the room and placing them on the TV, checking the chamber once more, and removing the pin from the gun, I still cringe a little bit every time I have to pull the trigger to break down my Taurus. Aside from breaking it down, I feel a degree of confidence, but also a great deal of respect for its power when handling it.

I can say that the car analogy works well. I know how to drive, and in everyday situations I feel fine doing it. But, when I make that occasional drive to Center City, and I have to parallel park - that's my gun cleaning day. I know I can do it, I'm even confident in my abilities to do it. I just end up over-analyzing the situation to avoid an uncomfortable mishap - a kid running into my parking spot as I back in, a vehicle on either end of my spot moving as I pull in. In comparison, I'm sure there are people who feel confident parallel parking (or clearing their firearm) but don't feel very confident driving a winding back road (or carrying concealed all day). It all depends on what you have experience with and where your experience lies.

[pex]

You don't worry about what will happen...

you just know that it can, and prepare for when it does.

It doesn't matter whether it's a car accident or tyranny. These things are all possible. Do what you can to acceptably cut your chances for loss, and plan for what you will have to do should the event occur that you wished would have not.

I never worry.

[JoeWilliams]

Yep. I use it as a tool, just like when I'm flying. Worry helps keep me from getting complacent.

[Agent Smith]

Everyone should always have at least some worry. When you don't worry, that's when a ND is likely to happen. Worrying is just your body's natural response telling you to be careful.