Dumb question time: open carry + lightning storms?

[BrianJacobsen]

Okay, I honestly don't know the answer to this so if at all possible hold the snickering.

The Missus and I were taking a walk last night. It wasn't raining but a thunderstorm was parked over head and there was thunder and lightning. The lightning was striking pretty close. Here's the dumb question: does carrying a gun make it any more likely you would be struck by lightning?

 

[iChokePeople]

Not if it's a Glock.

 

[Rookie]

I'm trying not to snicker, but I'm failing. Sorry. You're fine.

 

[tv1217]

lolwut

 

[eric001]

It won't make any difference at all. Of course, if you can see the lightning, you're already in the middle of the target region and thus a target if you're outside.

 

[RabbleRouser]

I think the Mythbusters may have covered this one...

 

[BrianJacobsen]

It's a Springfield XD 9mm. Why would that make a difference? Still a fair chunk'o metal onboard.

I used to caddie as a kid and it was an article of faith that holding a golf club could act as a lightning rod. Just sayin'!

 

[CathyInBlue]

No more of a lightning target than carrying a cell phone, pocket change, knife, and flashlight would make you a larger target.

Question I have is have there been any documented cases of being struck while carrying a personal protection sidearm A) at all, B) where the lightning discharge lead directly to an accidental discharge?

If the current never passes through the mag, then there's no reason to suspect that it would pass through the primers and set them off.

 

[Sylvain]

Only if you OC, it has been proven than if you OC you have 83.5% chance of being the victim of a violent crime and 97.8% of being hit by lighting, before you have time to draw your gun.
If you CC you will be less likely to be targeted by lighting strikes (4.75% only).
So in conclusion you should eat bacon twice a day and obey the speed limit at all time.
Be safe and have a nice flight!

 

[donnie1581]

If it's a High Point, I think you run the risk of lightning striking it directly. Other than that, Lightning is going to strike the tallest object in your surroundings.

 

[Jack Burton]

Holding a golf club usually means holding it over your head to swing. As long as you don't hold the gun over your head you should be fine.

 

[BrianJacobsen]

And never forget, if you open carry the bad guys will take your gun away from you and make you dance like in a bad Western (at least that's what my anti-gun Dad tells me!)

 

[Tc343]

If its that close to hit your gun, ur getting it one way or another.

 

[ATM]

Open carry deters lightning.

 

[CathyInBlue]

If a group of people are out in a lightning storm, the one OC'ing will always be hit first. It's a fact.

 

[Sylvain]

Open carry deters lightning.

A 200 years old Chinese man who is a Kung Fu master deters anything no matter if he OC or CC.

 

[CathyInBlue]

Chuck Norris deters everything, except Chuck Norris.

 

[actaeon277]

No more of a lightning target than carrying a cell phone, pocket change, knife, and flashlight would make you a larger target.

Question I have is have there been any documented cases of being struck while carrying a personal protection sidearm A) at all, B) where the lightning discharge lead directly to an accidental discharge?

If the current never passes through the mag, then there's no reason to suspect that it would pass through the primers and set them off.

I think if I'm struck by lightning.
And my weapon discharges.
I was pretty much destined to die that day.

 

[.45 Dave]

Don't worry if you're gun is struck by lightning. Since it is grounded against you it should be fine.

 

[jeepfreek]

Only be concerned if a dog is following you. Or so my grandmother always used to tell me.