My theory is if you can’t clean a gun properly you shouldn’t own a gun. Take the case of Bryce Brentz who pulled a Plaxico on himself according to Deadspin.

#RedSox OF prospect Bryce Brentz shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun a few weeks ago. Not on ST roster as a result.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) February 9, 2013

You might want to unload the gun while you are cleaning it.  I am not gun expert, but I am an expert in common sense.  It would seem to me that you would want the bullets as far away from the gun as possible while you are cleaning it.

Brentz is just lucky the gun was pointing down and not up.