Main Artistic License Gun Safety Discussion

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Candi Sorcerer in training Since: Aug, 2012

Sorcerer in training

May 27th 2022 at 2:44:29 AM •••

Played straight when the recruits are taught how to take cover while their instructors fire blanks at them with an occasional live round mixed in (it's stated that if their progress is unsatisfactory, the ratio of live rounds to blanks will rise). One of the recruits is actually shot in the rear; the recruits are told that the instructors would never intentionally aim at the head or heart.

This is from the Starship Troopers entry. Dad was in the Army, and was a drill sergeant for a time. Live fire exercises are a thing, including blank/live round mixes, and injuries do happen. It's done for much the same reasons in the book; granted, the book isn't clear on that the soldiers are taught how to take cover first, then tossed onto the range with just blanks, then live/blank and live fire exercises happen.

Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving. -Terry Pratchett

SeptimusHeap MOD (Edited uphill both ways)

Mar 20th 2021 at 10:37:21 AM •••

Previous Trope Repair Shop thread: Misused, started by jmackaerospace on Aug 25th 2014 at 5:57:34 PM

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

Azaram Smiter of Typeaux Since: Jan, 2001

Smiter of Typeaux

Jul 12th 2011 at 2:06:49 AM •••

A shame no RL examples... the video of the FBI guy demonstrating gun safety to a class full of kids who shoots himself in the leg immediately after saying 'I'm the only person in the room capable of handling a gun safely' would fit so well...

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Deboss Since: Aug, 2009

Jul 12th 2011 at 3:11:23 AM •••

Apparently it was growing too large. When a RL section starts outgrowing the other examples, it gets cut.

Fight smart, not fair.

FridgeGuy2016 Since: Feb, 2016

Jul 14th 2019 at 4:29:02 PM •••

That makes sense. But how can Artistic License have real life examples?

Limpin' with the bizkit.

vkthsu Since: Apr, 2018

Apr 22nd 2018 at 1:04:43 PM •••

Page Image needs to be replaced up given a better caption due to the fact that the image is from a scene that averts the listed trope. Frame is from a sequence regarding poor training methods and techniques regarding firearm safety. Sequence is a catalyst for a character arc.

Zero85 Since: Jan, 2011

Apr 9th 2015 at 1:00:32 PM •••

In the army our instructor sayd that if a gun has been disassembled (no pin, springs, trigger mechanism) then looking down the barrel has uses. If you see anything after cleaning, the weapon goes to the armory for full inspection (damage to the inside of a barrel is BAD news). And looking from the breach end might keep you from seeing damage to the muzzle end so chek both ways.

Edited by Zero85 Hide / Show Replies

LuciaMoore Since: Oct, 2014

Oct 27th 2015 at 8:48:32 AM •••

The page image is actually a pretty poor example of "bad" gun safety. The girl in the image has the slide locked back AND has her finger off the trigger. Contrary to common belief, it's actually completely safe to look down the barrel of a gun in that instance, because the gun can't fire (even "accidentally") in that situation.

Looking down the barrel AFTER PERFORMING THOSE SAFETY STEPS is a standard part of firearm maintenance.

Edited by LuciaMoore

alcockell Since: Apr, 2009

Jul 18th 2012 at 2:56:29 AM •••

Would the high-ranking police fast-tracker causing a negligent discharge in Series 2 Ep 5 ("Catastrophisation") of Twenty Twelve count as You Fail Gun Safety Forever?

alcockell Since: Apr, 2009

Apr 22nd 2011 at 8:12:28 AM •••

Although it's using archery - would Mia shooting arrows while the maids were still downrange in Princess Diaries 2 count?


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Discussion Main / ArtisticLicenseGunSafety