3 ms·

Discharge during flight... You have the classic movie understanding of firearms. Firearms do not accidentally discharge without them being played with.

pavel_lishin 3y ago
You know what, you're right - I did the classic passive voice thing. I should have written "At he didn't accidentally discharge the damn thing mid-flight."
- elmerfud 3y ago
  I agree with that sentiment because not knowing where your firearm is, is a very bad thing. Because if you don't know where your firearm is you cannot be confident of its status if it is loaded or not. That being said, I still don't think the actions of Hong Kong were proportionate in this regard. That's a total opinion people are free to disagree on but if the goal is to reduce problems then having a honest mistake that was reported as soon as possible receive a high punishment does not encourage people to rectify their mistakes as soon as possible. It actively encourages the opposite to conceal the mistakes or to dispose of it on the plane before he left. The concealing of the mistakes will always result in worst outcomes for everyone.
- marcus0x62 3y ago
  How, exactly, do you imagine that would happen?
  - elmerfud 3y ago
    He did admit to realizing he had the gun when he reached in to his bag mid flight. We don't know the state of the gun, was it loaded, was it secured in a holster with a covered trigger, etc... But how this could happen is, if the gun is loaded and it's loose without a covered trigger, and you don't realize it's there then reaching in to your bag and moving things about searching could very well trigger an accidental discharge. I'm not saying there should be no accountability for his mistake, because not being aware of where your firearms are is very serious thing especially if you're choosing to carry one. I just don't think this action by HK is in proportion to the crime. It would have been better to seize and return it and let the TSA issue a fine.

pavel_lishin 3y ago

You know what, you're right - I did the classic passive voice thing. I should have written "At he didn't accidentally discharge the damn thing mid-flight."

elmerfud 3y ago
I agree with that sentiment because not knowing where your firearm is, is a very bad thing. Because if you don't know where your firearm is you cannot be confident of its status if it is loaded or not. That being said, I still don't think the actions of Hong Kong were proportionate in this regard. That's a total opinion people are free to disagree on but if the goal is to reduce problems then having a honest mistake that was reported as soon as possible receive a high punishment does not encourage people to rectify their mistakes as soon as possible. It actively encourages the opposite to conceal the mistakes or to dispose of it on the plane before he left. The concealing of the mistakes will always result in worst outcomes for everyone.
marcus0x62 3y ago
How, exactly, do you imagine that would happen?
- elmerfud 3y ago
  He did admit to realizing he had the gun when he reached in to his bag mid flight. We don't know the state of the gun, was it loaded, was it secured in a holster with a covered trigger, etc... But how this could happen is, if the gun is loaded and it's loose without a covered trigger, and you don't realize it's there then reaching in to your bag and moving things about searching could very well trigger an accidental discharge. I'm not saying there should be no accountability for his mistake, because not being aware of where your firearms are is very serious thing especially if you're choosing to carry one. I just don't think this action by HK is in proportion to the crime. It would have been better to seize and return it and let the TSA issue a fine.