Jay Wiseman's Guide to Safer Russian Roulette Play

Copyright 2009 by Jay Wiseman. All Rights Reserved

Every time I turn around, our scene is turned more and more into a damned "nanny state" which sees it as its highest priority the protection of us from ourselves. It's time for the pendulum to swing at least a bit the other way.

To that end, it's time to break the silence and defend one of our most allegedly "indefensible" practices. I'm talking about that most extreme form of gun play: Russian Roulette. Yes, that's right. With a real fucking gun and real fucking bullets. I'm not talking about those wimpy asses who make sure the gun is unloaded and then wave it about and stick it in various places where the sun don't shine. I'm talking about The Real Thing, baby. The one true practice for those of us who savor the hot sweetness of the true fucking edge. I'm talking about no-shit honest-to-fucking-God Russian Roulette.

I know. I know. It's been widely alleged, especially by "a certain person" (who really should get over himself), that people have been killed by engaging in Russian Roulette play. This self-important meddlesome busybody (who isn't even a certified firearms safety instructor and who admits that he's never owned a gun larger than a .38 in his life and also admits that he's never personally tried or even seen actual Russian Roulette play!) has succeeded in getting Russian Roulette play banned from almost all play parties across the United States and Canada, and even internationally! That's just not right. As I will set forth below, it's entirely possible to engage in Russian Roulette scenes, both at home and at play parties, with quite reasonable safety.

Of course, when you ask said busybody for actual facts and figures about those "supposed" deaths, somehow those are not available. His citations from the medical literature are erratic and open to interpretation. His citing of news reports regarding people who have supposedly died from this are often very murky and blurred, and such reports certainly haven't conclusively ruled out suicide, homicide, or accidental discharge. His citations of actual prosecutions from engaging in this are very spotty. (He always whines that such cases are "usually settled by plea bargain and therefore not available." Pretty damned convenient for him, eh? Tell me another.) Further, he goes on to brag about how he is an "expert witness" in such matters. Excuse me, but big fat hairy deal. My lawyer could qualify a ham sandwich as an expert witness. Being an "expert witness" is just not that big a deal to those of us in the know. It's time for over-representation of the actual dangers, even if done unintentionally, to cease!

All reasonable kinksters who have studied the available evidence agree that the rantings of that busybody (who for some reason continues to be active as a presenter) have been thoroughly debunked. Other presenters roll their eyes when his name comes up in discussion with this topic. Why anybody continues to listen to him, about anything, is a complete mystery to me. Hopefully this essay will help set the record straight. There has been quite enough fear-mongering, thankyouverymuch.

I mean, how many actual cases of somebody dying from Russian Roulette have really been documented beyond a shadow of a doubt? Almost none! And yet "some people" adamantly refuse to accept the evidence of safety that's right there in front of them! So much for THEIR intellectual honesty. Further, the very few people who (supposedly!) died from doing Russian Roulette were sloppy in their technique. I'm sorry, but it's not our job to protect stupid, clueless morons from themselves, especially at the cost of depriving all the rest of us who choose to take this risk if we want to. That's what RACK is all about, dumbass!

That said, I understand that there needs to be harm-reduction measures, especially for beginners. Therefore, I offer these harm-reduction GUN RACK tips for beginners wishing to integrate Russian Roulette into their scenes. Once you know what you're doing, you can let go of these tips one-by-one. Until then, stick with them. Be responsible! Remember that people get killed crossing the street!

1. Use a smaller caliber gun.

A .22 caliber revolver is about right for beginners. While some recommend the .25 caliber for beginners, ammunition for such is much more expensive. Also, most .25 caliber guns are automatic pistols, and use of automatic pistols during scene-related Russian Roulette is reserved for very advanced players only.

2. Use smaller, less powerful ammunition.

The .22 short cartridge will serve admirably, especially for beginners. More experienced players can consider upgrading to .22 long or long rifle cartridges.

3. Use conventional bullets.

Hollow-point bullets are not recommended for beginners, and neither are those with jackets of any sort. Stick with standard, round-nosed bullets until you know what you're doing.

4. Use a revolver with a larger number of cylinders.

While most revolvers contain five or six chambers, revolvers with a larger capacity can be obtained, and these should be used by beginners if reasonably possible because of their obvious ability to reduce the odds of a discharge. Both Taurus and Smith and Wesson make eight-shot revolvers, however if at all possible beginners should use the ten-cylinder Model 617 put out by Smith and Wesson.

5. Aim at non-vital areas of the head.

Unless you're one of those wussies who only does mind-fuck scenes (and thus, secretly unloads the gun before playing, punk-ass that you are), you must accept the fact that there may be an accidental discharge during this type of play. Given that, a prudent top will aim the gun at non-vital areas of the subbie's head. Consult the Wikipedia site or other places on the Internet for information on where these areas are located, or ask your local gun play expert. They'll know.

6. Angle the gun.

Given that avoiding skull penetration is our most important harm-reduction method, always angle the gun against the skull until you know what you're doing. In particular, NEVER aim the gun at the subbie's head in a perpendicular way. Remember the saying about degree of angle: "44 or less is always best. 45 or more and you ain't there no more."

7. Don't play alone!

This is truly important. I will concede that the risk of a bad outcome is increased when people do this alone. Among other things, should an injury result, it's very useful to have a second person there to provide first aid.

8. Learn First Aid and CPR.

While with proper precautions (as set forth above) CPR will almost never be needed, you might have to deal with a scalp laceration or something like that, so it's important to learn proper first aid practices. Therefore, make sure that you get proper training and equipment.

9. Absolute beginners should wear a helmet.

While a military or football-type helmet may be, so to speak, overkill, absolute beginners are advised to wear a helmet of some sort. The leather-type World War II style aviation helmets, readily available in local surplus stores or eBay, should do nicely. In the unlikely event of a discharge, the leather will absorb a substantial amount of the bullet's kinetic injury and thus help prevent skull penetration.

10. Don't play while drunk or stoned.

This should be enough for you to get your jollies. Even I have to agree that the "moron factor" increases when playing Russian Roulette while drunk and/or stoned. There have to be SOME limits.

11. Always re-spin the cylinder.

While there are variants of Russian Roulette in which the cylinder is not spun between clicks, let's not get carried away here. Beginners should always vigorously re-spin the cylinder. Advanced players can choose to re-spin or not as works for them. YMMV.

12. Only do this with people you know.

Playing Russian Roulette with strangers, either as a top or as a bottom, can dramatically increase your risk. Only play with people you know well.

13. Be careful about bottoming to inexperienced tops when you do this.

Obviously, it's important to only play with experienced "gun tops" who know what they're doing. I'd recommend only bottoming to someone who has done this a minimum of twenty times within the last two years. (Some tops may need the approval of their parole officer to do this type of play. If so, make sure that such approval is in writing.) Also, get references from people who have previously bottomed to this top regarding this type of scene, if such references are available. If you must bottom to an inexperienced top regarding this sort of play, make sure that you have a safe call in place.

14. Get proper firearms safety instruction.

While many tops think that they "already know" how to handle guns, this is one area where ego should just not get in the way. Tops (and bottoms) who plan to engage in such play should take an official firearms safety class. These are often offered by NRA-certified instructors and local gun stores should be able to direct you on a modestly priced class coming up soon in your area. During the class, tell the instructor precisely why you are taking the class and ask him (or her!) if they have any special tips regarding what you plan to do. If the instructor decides to call in local police officers for consultation before replying, answer the questions put to you by the officers fully and completely. You have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. Stand up for your Second Amendment rights and be proud of your kink!

15. Get medical clearance

Bottoms should be medically cleared by their doctors prior to engaging in safer Russian Roulette play. In particular, be completely candid about why you are there and ask your doctor to asses your skull, jaw, and neck for any unknown injuries or frailties. X-rays of these areas are likely indicated. Whether or not either CAT scans or MRI's are indicated is up for debate. If your doctor says that he or she suspects a defect within your skull, cooperate fully and answer your doctor's questions honestly. Your doctor may want to call in a consultation and/or admit you for detailed examination regarding your skull and other aspects of your head. Further, because patients are at risk of falling off of gurneys and hospital beds, they may want to restrain and/or sedate you for your protection. If so, cooperate fully. Be sure to tell them that you'll know if the restraints are applied too tightly because you're an educated and RACK-aware BDSMer. They will be impressed by this and will note their admiration of your educated state in your chart.

Tops should also get medically cleared before engaging in this. In particular, have your hands screened for any signs of twitchiness or occasional spasm. Again, always be fully candid with your doctor about why you are seeking such clearance. As with the bottoms, cooperate fully with any admission for more detailed examination and comply with all restraint and/or sedation procedures. They're for your safety!

16. Get proper legal advice.

There is entirely too much complete bullshit out there on the Internet about the possible legal liabilities of what is involved with GUN RACK-based safer Russian Roulette play. Again, that same busybody (who didn't even graduate from an ABA-approved law school!) is responsible for most of it. Do yourself a favor and set up (and, yes, pay for) a consultation with an attorney licensed in your state -- preferably one who does a great deal of criminal defense work. Tell the lawyer what you plan to do and ask them to both advise you as to the actual legal risks and to draw up proper consent documents for the top's legal protection. However, be advised that many criminal defense lawyers are beyond extremely busy. Therefore, don't be surprised if the attorney has to end the meeting early to take an important phone call or something like that. Also, because they are so busy, many do not have time to take on new clients with this sort of problem. You may therefore have to shop around quite a bit before you find one willing to take you on as a client, but don't give up! Consult the Kink Aware Professionals list for the names and contact information of lawyers near you.

Also, again for the top's legal protection, send a certified letter to your local DA's office that documents the bottom's consent to engage in this sort of play. Include photos of both the top and the bottom, as well as both parties full legal names, addresses, and other contact information. The photos of the top should include at least one of him or her holding the gun that you plan to use in your play so that your proper attention to safety matters can be documented. Don't skimp on any of this as it's for your legal protection! Should the DA decide to send their investigators to the top's home for more information, be sure to answer the investigator's questions fully and honestly. Note that may DA's offices are extremely busy and therefore they may send local police or deputy sheriffs to make such inquiries. Again, answer their questions fully and honestly. If they want you to accompany them to the station to provide further information, do so willingly. Be advised that you may be handcuffed while enroute to the police station, but that's only temporary and is for your safety. Again, tell the officers that you know how to evaluate handcuff tightness. They'll be impressed.

17. Make sure that your community has a properly constructed gun play room.

Only a moron would engage in safer Russian Roulette out in the middle of the average party space. Bottoms, should your top want to do this, that is an obvious sign that they are unsafe and you should no longer play with them. Progressive play spaces have constructed a proper, Kevlar-lined "gun room" for such players. (The proper use of Kevlar also helps keep the noise down.) Consult a licensed contractor for more information on how such a room should be constructed. DMs entering such spaces should consider wearing appropriate vests, goggles, and helmets as deemed necessary.

18. Get your paperwork in order.

When the proper precautions, as set forth above, should reduce a bottom's risk of skull penetration, or other serious injury, to background-noise level, it remains important to be mindful that there remains a small chance of injury or death. Just like there is when flying on a commercial airliner or driving to the play space. Therefore, bottoms should get their paperwork in order. This is a good thing to do anyway just on general principles. Be sure to prepare 1) a notarized document regarding your consent to engage in such play, 2) an advance healthcare directive which specifies your top as your decision-maker should you be rendered comatose, (Yeah, like that's gonna happen), and 3) a properly drafted will. In your will, leave all your estate to Jay J. Wiseman, born in 1949, now living in San Francisco, California. Your bequest will allow me to carry on urgently needed GUN RACK education.

Be safe, everybody!

This essay may be copied and forwarded as readers think doing so would be useful, provided it is unedited and full credit is given.

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