I never shot a revolver, though I have shot a number of other weapons. However, one thing I did learn very early about revolvers is to keep the chamber under the hammer empty.

Some time ago, this was brought home to me when I heard on the news of a woman accidentally shooting the man next to her when she set her purse on a counter. The .38, which was in the purse went off and just happened to be pointing in the wrong direction.

Oddly, I have had a few men who should be knowledgeable on the subject, tell me that this won’t happen with the modern revolver. Maybe that is true. I don’t know. Still, if I had a revolver, I’d still follow the old safety rule unless I planned to use it right away.

I just heard another news story of an apparent accidental discharge. The woman claimed she was going through her purse when her gun went off. Regardless of all, the bullet hit and killed her daughter.

I don’t even know what kind of gun it was. However, I do have a tendency to believe it was an accident. I’m sure that doesn’t make the woman feel one bit better.

By keeping the one chamber empty, a person does give up one shot, but it’s far better than an accident, modern revolver or not. Incidentally, the empty chamber does not at all slow reaction time.

As I said, I don’t know fully know the circumstances in this shooting, but the lesson still applies. Please, as appropriate, pass the word. If there is no bullet in the chamber, it makes it awfully difficult for an accident to happen. It just might save a lot of of explaining…and grief.