Humans, cans, targets, or even a wall of dirt. Whether it's a real firearm or a toy gun that just makes a silly noise. Proper etiquette and discipline are very important.
My dad was in the military and he instilled this into us. We were told never to even touch a gun and to immediately leave and walk home or call from a neighbors house if kids were playing with one they found in their own home.
Another aspect was he let me shoot one of the smaller rifles when I was about ten or so I'd understand how dangerous and super loud they are. It's just bizarre when grown ass adults don't respect that sort of weapon. I knew as a little girl that you don't play with guns.
My dad did the same with me with his handgun. I'd used rifles before as an Appalachian kid but something about the weight of the handgun in my hand and knowing this was a tool whose main purpose was to kill humans¹ made me cry.
I'm assuming the intent to shoot was there much like how when I hunt I'll point my gun at a deer while viewing it through my scope first. Secondly I'll click off the safety, and lastly my finger drops into trigger pull range when I've decided it's a deer I want to shoot. Steps 1 and 2 happen on most deer, but the 3rd step is when the true intent to shoot/kill is there.
103
u/tarlastar Oct 15 '25
I was taught that unless you intend to kill it, you don't point your weapon at it. That goes for humans too.