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 arid 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 
