88 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



There have been several patent inventions of stops of 

 various kinds for preventing the discharge of a gun, even 

 on pulling the trigger, unless the piece be actually at the 

 shoulder, and the holder intend to fire. 



I utterly disapprove of all these ; first, because they 

 tend to encourage carelessness directly, by making the 

 person trust to the infallible quality of his gun, which can- 

 not go off, instead of to his own caution ; secondly, be- 

 cause, however good in theory, I never saw one which was 

 certain in trial ; in proof of which I can say that I have 

 never been so often missed, or so nearly shot, as by some 

 brilliant genius letting his gun go off, in the very act of 

 demonstrating the impossibility of its going off; thirdly, 

 because all the stops I have ever seen, do occasionally 

 prevent the discharge of the gun when the holder wishes 

 to discharge it. Therefore, I uphold care and constant 

 observation, as the only sure gravitating stop. 



First, then, in carrying the gun, it is necessary so to 

 carry it, that, if discharged, its contents shall fly harm- 

 less, as regards yourself or others. 



It will be found necessary, for relief to the muscles, in 

 a long day's shooting, to carry the gun in many various 

 positions ; but in all it may be carried so as to render its 

 casual discharge nearly harmless. If carried on the right 

 forearm, with the butt backward and the trigger guard on 

 the arm, the muzzle should point directly to the ground. 

 If on the right shoulder, with the gripe in the hand and 

 the locks on the shoulder, the muzzle should point directly 

 upward. If on the shoulder, with the butt backward and 

 the barrels grasped in the hand, the muzzle should point 



