Assuming a beginner saw something like THIS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiMavhQ7OAo&
Shooting a washing machine (entire video)
Who cares? I'm all about keeping the shooting areas clean but if there's a washing machine out there and you're shooting a pistol 100 yards knock yourself out.
Flags his own hand @ 2:01
Pistol was unloaded and he wasn't deliberately pointing it at anything. I "flag" my ass with a loaded pistol that's got a round in the tube ever time I put my Glock into my holster.
Active roadway in the background, etc, etc.
If a road that's a mile away is going to be a factor in shooting a pistol you're shooting one hell of a pistol. What's beyond your target is the area that your round can travel. A ricochet from a pistol round is not going to travel a mile.
That's exactly the person I want a new shooter to emulate. NOT