The gun can't hurt anyone if there is no bullets in it.
Rule 1 of guns: "view all guns as if they are loaded"
That's a great rule unless its your gun and you cleared it. Generic rules without context to the actual situation are nearly useless.
No, the word "unless" doesn't exist in the context of gun handling.
Maybe this is just a difference in attitude with me learning gun handling in the military, vs you (i'm assuming) civilian. But if i know i just cleared my gun, and pointed it someone right after, my Commander would most likely take the gun away and toss me out of there.
Idk why you're bringing up the military. The person who trained her at the gun range was also in the military, and most likely the one taking the picture.