# Rep. Barr Fucks Up Big Time **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 7, 2002, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830 "2002-08-07T19:49:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/21 "2002-08-08T06:55:14Z")
But he’s very lucky he didn’t kill somone… **Unclebill** is right. You treat EVERY gun as if it’s loaded, even if you know it’s not. You don’t wave it around, you keep your finger off the trigger, etc… ---
**Author:** ![TeaElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@TeaElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaElle)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/22 "2002-08-08T08:02:11Z")
You certainly treat every gun as if it’s loaded, but you never hand anyone a weapon without ensuring that it’s cleared, or without warning that it’s loaded if that is your intent. Barr is a tool, sure, but the guy who handed him the weapon unchecked and without notice that there may be a round in the chamber needs to be whacked multiple times with the clue stick. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/23 "2002-08-08T11:22:11Z")
Who said that one of the first steps toward becoming a mature adult was saying “I lost it” instead of “it got lost”? “the gun fired” indeed. “We were handling it safely” obviously not, moron. ---
**Author:** ![jmpride62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c37758/32.png) [@jmpride62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmpride62)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/24 "2002-08-08T11:30:15Z")
Thankfully, no one was hurt because then we would have to feel guilty for laughing so much. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/25 "2002-08-08T12:12:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Big Kahuna Burger \* > \*\ ***UncleBill** and other gun enthusiasts, I pose you a question. Say you’re a GOP voter wavering between the equally pro-gun Barr and Linder. Does this incident make you move toward Linder? How forcefully? \*\* Firstly, I may be a Gun Safety Enthusiast, but I am not a Gun Enthusiast. I would not have voted for Barr anyway, but given your scenario, this would have swayed my vote due to Linder due to the irresponsible and dangerous actions Barr took. And the lack of understanding (as reported) of basic safety. Very strongly. A pro-gun politician would make pro-gun appearances, and be given opportunity to do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/26 "2002-08-08T12:27:31Z")
“We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded,” said Widener…" I think there was a Darwin Award winner who said the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/27 "2002-08-08T18:13:18Z")
Katie, Barr the door… ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2002, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/28 "2002-08-08T22:12:36Z")
It’s not often that a candidate campaigns like Yosemite Sam. I’m waiting for his “I speak LOUDLY and I carry a bigger stick, and I use it too” skit. ---
**Author:** ![japatlgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@japatlgt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/japatlgt)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/29 "2002-08-09T06:56:53Z")
I say they were goofing around with the damn thing, it went off, caused a disturbance (obviously) and this is their lame OJ defense. They’re hiding something, IMHO, probably not earth shattering but you know how politician’s like to make shit up. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/30 "2002-08-09T07:10:14Z")
:: points and laughs at the dumb guy\* :: \*- Barr, not anyone in the thread ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/31 "2002-08-09T09:56:08Z")
> [@](#): > > TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT WAS LOADED, UNTIL YOU HAVE PROVEN IT TO YOURSELF OTHERWISE. Wrongo, Unclebill. It’s “TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT WAS LOADED.” Period. You can check it a thousand times, but STILL treat it as if were loaded. Thank you, Rep. Barr, for doing OH so much to improve the reputation of gun owners across the country. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/32 "2002-08-09T16:55:00Z")
I stand corrected and now think Barr is a loon, asswipe, **and** hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/33 "2002-08-11T10:14:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jmpride62 \* > \*\*Thankfully, no one was hurt because then we would have to feel guilty for laughing so much. 😃 \*\* Who’s laughing? I ain’t laughing. I’m telling you people, this brings us one step closer to the repeal of the Second Amendment. Don’t think it can’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/34 "2002-08-11T14:26:54Z")
The debate between Barr and Linder was pretty funny. Barr began attacking Linder’s “morality” because Linder had apparently implied at some point that he might be willing to hire a homosexual. Linder fired back that at least he was still married to his wife of 29 years. (Barr being on his third wife and counting.) Barr is an opportunist, spouting off nonsense that he thinks 7th district voters want to hear. Apparently, he thinks the voters in his district are a bunch of brainless yahoos. (_See_ the “He’s just gooder” campaign ads.) If I were in that district, I’d be insulted. I’m betting Barr never handled a firearm before he decided (for political reasons) to become an NRA toady. Incidentally, Barr is trailing Linder in the polls leading up to the primary. So much for Georgia’s most embarrassing representative on the right. In other news, Georgia’s most embarrassing representative on the left, Cynthia McKinney, also seems to be trailing her primary opponent in the polls, though it’s close. See, Georgians really _aren’t_ as moronic as their previous election of these two reps might lead you to believe. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/35 "2002-08-11T15:55:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Big Kahuna Burger \* > **UncleBill and other gun enthusiasts, I pose you a question. Say you’re a GOP voter wavering between the equally pro-gun Barr and Linder. Does this incident make you move toward Linder?** Although I am strongly Libertarian, I register Republican. Republican Lesbians of the Heartland. Woo! Anyhow…there’s no “moving” about it - if my choice was truly between the two, I would _abstain_. Regardless of whatever Barr’s politics are, I could not respect a person who showed such disrespect and careless disregard for the safety of those around him. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/36 "2002-08-11T16:00:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > **It’s “TREAT EVERY GUN AS IF IT WAS LOADED.” Period. You can check it a thousand times, but STILL treat it as if were loaded.** Wholeheartedly agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/37 "2002-08-11T16:02:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by capacitor \* > \*\*It’s not often that a candidate campaigns like Yosemite Sam. I’m waiting for his “I speak LOUDLY and I carry a bigger stick, and I use it too” skit. \*\* 😃 LO-freaking-L! That’s one of the funniest damn Yosemite Sam skits ever! I love that one! ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2002, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/38 "2002-08-11T16:10:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Republican Lesbians of the Heartland. Woo! I’m guessing you don’t have to rent a very big hall for your meetings. 🙂 Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/39 "2002-08-12T01:17:42Z")
**SPOOFE** and **Anthracite** , I appreciate your concern, and I concede that yours is the correct wording of the rule. When I pick up a weapon and clear it to full safe (unload, clear, and lock), I can then dry fire that weapon, pointed at an object I do not wish to destroy, such as a snapping-in target (never an animate object). I can only do this with the weapon fully under my control the entire time. I do not assume that weapon is loaded after I have confirmed it is safe **while it is under my full control.** If I put it down and pick it back up, I clear it again. I had lost full control of it, and I again assume it is loaded. If someone else clears it, then closes the action and tries to hand it to me, I refuse until it is locked open again, or clear it immediately myself. When it touches me IS clear or it GETS cleared, or I treat it as locked and loaded. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2002, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830/40 "2002-08-12T05:12:25Z")
BTW, “mistakes were made” was coined by Mike Deaver, on behalf of Ronald Reagan, during the Iran Contra Scandal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-barr-fucks-up-big-time/122830.md?page=3)