PJ24 said:
Unfortunately, a lot of NDs occur with people that are familiar with firearms, they just get too confident and careless.
I agree. Was on the rifle range awhile back and had a ND. The tower gives commands. We were in our "prep time". Hadn't even been told to load and chamber a round yet. This guy gets down in the prone, takes his weapon off safety and sends a round down range.
Why? Because he did not make sure his weapon was in condition 4 (Weapon on safe, Chamber empty, magazine removed, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed) and the block NCO (the person in charge of a certain number of targets on the firing line) did not clear him or his weapon at the previous yard line.
This is what happens when people get complacent. I am just glad for him and others that he did not have a ND where it may have hurt someone.
Hello, My name is Corporal Rhodes. I will be your instructor for the next few minutes on safety and weapons conditions for the M16A2 service rifle. (Won't get into TLOs and ELOs)
Always remember the 4 safety rules: Treat, Never, Keep, Keep:
Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.
Keep your weapon on safe until you are ready to fire.
Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
Weapons conditions of the M16A2 service rifle:
Condition 1:
Weapon on safe, Magazine inserted, Round in chamber, Bolt forward Ejection port cover closed.
Condition 2:
Weapon on safe, Magazine inserted, Chamber empty, Bolt forward, Ejection port cover closed.
Condition 3:
Does not apply to the M16A2 service rifle.
Condition 4:
Weapon on safe, Magazine removed, Chamber empty, bolt forward, Ejection port cover closed.
Notice how in each condition the weapon is on SAFE.
This concludes your period of instruction on safety and weapons conditions for the M16A2 service rifle. Any questions?