I should have reacted when an intoxicated gun owner pulled out a gun

Recently I visited friends who had been drinking and one of them pulled out his gun to show it off. Despite feeling uneasy, I assumed he was going to put the gun down. Someone told him to put the gun away but he became more headstrong in handling it.

He removed the magazine from the gun but noticed a bullet was still lodged in the chamber. He pointed the gun to the ground and began fidgeting with it, and the gun fired. Thankfully no one was hurt, but I was shook up by the event.

Personally I have never handled guns, so I knew nothing about what he was doing. I acknowledged the importance of knowing basic firearm handling rules.

First, I should have left the room right away. There is really nothing to do when someone is intoxicated and handling a firearm. If they are pressured, as the guy was, they may become irritated and defiant.

Second, alcohol and guns never mix. Do not trust anyone who takes out a gun while they are intoxicated.

I hope people become more proactive in learning how to safely handle firearms and also to become knowledgeable of what to do in situations that are out of control.

Shared by Lauren Ell, a woman who is born and raised in California. Have a story about your experience with gun incidents? Contact info[at]gunsafetysociety.org.