This is not the post I had intended to write, but here it comes anyway.

How many times must we read news articles concerning children shooting him or herself or another with a sidearm, firearm, handgun or gun (however they choose to label it in the article) left unattended by their parent or parents?

The latest incident I read concerning this topic occurred a bit further south than my area in Florida. The father had apparently removed his sidearm from his waist band and placed it on the seat of the car. They were at a drive thru and the father needed to use his cell phone. While distracted with the cell phone the child got a hold of the gun and shot himself in the face.

I had many questions about the story especially some of the details.

First off, the detail that said the sidearm was removed from the waistband. It did not say it was removed from a holster. Secondly, it stated that the firearm was removed to use a cell phone. Why would using (gaining access) to cell phone necessitate the removing of a firearm? Thirdly, it said the firearm was placed on the seat. My question was Why, especially with a child present?

Above I posed a question. How many times must we rad news articles concerning this. That would indicate I suppose that this has happened before. A mistake, a costly mistake, had occurred. Some would say mistakes happen and that is true. But there is another thing said concerning mistakes. You can learn from the mistakes of others. Of course, the opposite is true you can ignore or fail to learn from the mistakes of others and make the same mistakes they did and get similar or worse results.

Now we come to the part of this where I will offer some advice some would call opinions.

First, sidearms (pistols or revolvers) need to be in a holster. Not just any holster but a good quality holster, plastic or leather your choice, but one that does cover and protect the trigger and have some retention. Not one of those cheap fabric holsters which only cover the trigger but offer no protection for the trigger.

Another thing on holsters. They need to be firearm specific, not one labeled as fits most. If you are waiting for me to recommend a specific brand you will be waiting a very long time. I make my own holsters. Made out of leather and form fitted to the sidearm it will hold. There is no need for me to have a break-in period or method. The firearm fits because my holsters are made one at a time, stitched and wet molded with and to the actual firearm. If you know me, stop by and I will show you how to do it and I will tell what you need and where to get what you need.

Second, removing the firearm and no longer having control of it. I can only think of a few reasons to remove a firearm from a holster. Taking it off at the end of the day. Needing it to defend oneself or another. To practice at or on the range. That is about it.

This brings me to the social media so-called influencers. What the heck is the purpose a “press-check”? Some of these people do what they call a press check, slightly pulling the slide back enough to see if they can see brass. I guess they like fondling their firearm. If I have loaded my sidearm and put it in the holster, then it is loaded and there is no need at any point in the day to check to see if it is still loaded. Any time a firearm is out of the holster is the time when something awful could happen. If the purpose of this press check is to ensure it is still loaded. Ask yourself a few simple questions. Did I unload it? Do I now have an extra hole in my body? Was there an ear-splitting bang and part of me is suddenly on fire? If the answer to these questions is NO, then the thing is still loaded.

Now to off body carry. Placing your firearm in a bag you are wearing or carrying. This I am totally against. Simply because when you remove the bag or sit it down you have lost control of your firearm.

Thirdly, to use a cell phone. Adjust your priorities. Your cell phone can do little to no damage. Put things in their proper place and perspective.

Fourthly, getting distracted. The last thing you need to do is sit a firearm down and forget about it and its capabilities. How many news articles have we read where a person, sometimes a “professional”, has gone into a public restroom, done their business and left their firearm on the toilet tank or wherever they laid it?

You probably notice I used different term for sidearms in this post maybe at some point I will address terminology as it relates to sidearms.