Everyone involved in this shows zero firearm sense.We often see experts spouting “#1 rule, never point even an empty gun at that which you don’t wish to shoot or destroy.”
Well maybe that is #1-b
#1-a is: When someone hands a gun to you remove the magazine and rack the slide to eject a cartridge that might have been left in the breech.
If it is a revolver, swing the cylinder out and see if all chambers are empty. If as in this case there are one or more chambers with something in them, eject all and inspect for type of ammo.
Accepting anyone’s word that a firearm is empty is stupid and a road to disaster.
Remember thousands of people have been killed by “unloaded” guns.
The same rule applies to any firearm, whether pistol, revolver, rifle shotgun or whatever.
“If it is a revolver, swing the cylinder out and see if all chambers are empty.”
My revolver cylinders don’t swing out!
A fact that needs to be worked into every movement the holder of the weapon makes, along with keeping your index finger wrapped around the handle of the gun and away from the trigger guard until you are ready to fire. I think Alex developed some bad firearm habits during his many years of experiences.
“If it is a revolver, swing the cylinder out and see if all chambers are empty.”
I would add to inspect the barrel for any blockages. I knew a guy who learned this lesson the hard way. He had lent his gun to his brother. The brother used substandard ammo. A round went poof instead of bang with the result being a blocked barrel.
Instead of telling the owner about the blockage he just said it needed cleaning.
Gun owner decides to do some shooting before cleaning. Uses his good ammo. Results not optimum.
He never had much to do with his brother after that.