While "Schrodinger's gun" seems like it would make sense, it often leads to negligence or complacence. ALWAYS treat a firearm as if it were loaded, no exceptions, even if you have double and triple checked to see that there is no ammunition in it.

This applies to firearms, not parts of firearms. A pistol slide assembly separated from its frame is in 2 parts ans not a whole gun

[–] TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

at what point is a non fully assembled gun treated like it's loaded?

[–] arudesalad@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago

I'm not a gun person (from the UK so only time I have seen one is at the airport) but I assume when it is assembled enough to launch a bullet, even if it has to be manually placed?

[–] SharkWeek@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 3 weeks ago

Not OP, buuut ...

If the cylinder is out, or the slide / bolt is back, with no magazine, and a view of the chamber that clearly shows that it's not loaded then you're ok to treat it like a normal object - otherwise you could never clean or inspect a gun properly