As a member of a private gun club, I – along with others – received a missive about safety from the club safety officer. The topic, unsurprisingly, was the SIG P320. “As responsible firearm owners, it is essential to remain informed about your equipment, relevant legal developments, and any manufacturer-issued safety communications. In this case, online sources present conflicting information, which may make it difficult to reach clear conclusions (for you and the club).”
The conclusion was “The position of the … (Club) is to keep our members informed of any potential safety concerns. We trust our members to make thoughtful, educated decisions regarding the use of their firearms, including the P320, at our facilities.”
The letter went on to post a reframe of the Rules – which are critical everywhere.
What does that have to do with “uncommanded discharges?” – nothing. The Club went on to note that staying up-to-date on equipment issues is important and it’s an individual responsibility … just like the right to keep and bear arms.
The notification also included a link to SIG, a video posted on August 19th. Let’s be clear: the club was seeking to “let those who ride decide” – but those who ride bear the responsibility for consequences.
As always, it’s “not someone else’s fault.” If you’re alerted to a potential issue with a firearms platform – or make and model of automobile or anything else, it’s on you to make the final decision whether the potential and alleged risks are worth it. Blaming someone else – a gun club, a trainer/training facility, or anyone else – is a nonstarter. That’s what “the other side” does, not us.
Obviously, any facility, trainer, location has insurance coverage. That coverage indemnifies the principals from liability and, often, the insurer offers to pay to the limit of coverage for injury/damage – under certain circumstances.
Insurers don’t want to pay claims. That’s not why they’re in business. They’re in business to make profits to pay shareholders, pay staff, pay their business bills and put a little in their own pockets. Paying out because some goober negligently shoots himself ain’t in the game plan.
Now these things happen. When someone who torches one off can blame the equipment, equipment gets blamed. That could mean a pay day for the shooter/shootee, one and the same.
When claims are paid, premiums go up. After they hit a level, people who have to pay premiums seek out another line of employment – regardless of their value to the state of the art.
And who do we blame? Trust me, “blame” is the name of the game and eight people will name ten or twelve to pin it on.
The riff about “I can’t be told what gun I’ll carry and shoot” is counterbalanced by “it’s economically unfeasible to host you under these circumstances. We hate to lose the business, but there’s one of you against a major payout and increase of costs to everyone else. Sayonara.”
It takes no more explanation than that. I applaud the club for putting members on notice that it’s the individual who bears the responsibility – and keeps that notice for potential discovery later, should it become necessary. Likewise, I have a deep understanding of the natural reluctance to open your facility and/or you to needless, stupid litigation.
Which answer is correct? – Yes, all of the above.
You decide what you’ll carry and you assume the risks. I went through all this in 2001 and again in 2003. Everything worked out fine.
— Rich Grassi