I think some people rely too much on safeties. If the safety prevented an accident something else was done wrong.
Years ago I learned a good lesson on the reliability of safeties. I had a pre-WWI commercial Mauser. It had the wing style safety that actually blocks the striker, probably the safest type of safety and much better the the trigger blocks most shotguns use. One day while shooting I flipped the safety off and the gun discharged. Having an 8mm go off while basically holding it with 1 hand leaves an impression on you. Fortunately it was pointed in a safe direction. Took it to a gunsmith and he could find nothing wrong, most likely the sear hung up.
