“YOU ARE THE LOWEST FORM OF LIFE ON EARTH! YOU ARE NOT EVEN HUMAN BEINGS!”

No, this isn’t basic training, nor is it a cinematic flashback. This is actor R. Lee Ermey, who portrayed the iconic drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the classic Vietnam War movie, “Full Metal Jacket,” was addressing a gathering of Marietta Police officers.

Ermey was in Marietta Wednesday to honor the department on behalf of Cobb-based gun maker Glock for its efforts to promote gun safety. Ermey, a retired gunny, is considered a weapons expert, said it’s a lesson you’re never too old or experienced to learn.

“I had an accidental weapon discharge. Shame on me! And if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody,” he told WSB’s Pete Combs.

Ermey said he was in his home office, examining his .45 caliber pistol, when it fired. The bullet bored into his desk. The room filled with smoke. Ermey admitted he should have checked the weapon to see if a round was chambered. But he hastened to add that he was pointing the gun in a safe direction when it went off.

Marietta Police were best in the nation over the past year in collecting gun safety pledges from citizens. By signing the pledge, participants promised to follow the four cardinal rules of gun safety –

1.  Treat every weapon as if it's loaded.
2. Never point the weapon at anything you don't want to shoot.
3. Never put your finger near the trigger until you are ready to fire. 
4. Know your target, as well as what is in front of it and behind it.