I concur, Colonel-- 100%. I saw a few close calls when I was in the USMC- MOS 2112-- armorer. Never assume a weapon is unloaded until you have checked it yourself-- Both my father and grandfather taught me this lesson at an early age.
You can also read in Robert Ruark's "The Old Man and The Boy"-- I don't remember the exact story line offhand- but when the boy told his Grandfather that he had unloaded his 20 bore double gun, but handed it to him closed, his mentor stepped outside the door, and pointed it towards the sky- and pulled the trigger- BLAM-- "What was that- mice?"' asked the Old Man--
Gun safety and gun handling manners are ingrained in some people, in others, not so much. I have seen my share of "close calls" on gun club shooting ranges, and I am sure you have as well.
And thank you for your service to our great Country. RWTF
