Two points:
1) The gun is not being loaded in the stand, it's being charged. The difference is not just a semantic one - it's actually quite important. Your statement
Quote:
the head in question is about 2.5-3.5 feet or so from the business end of a weapon that is either loaded or being loaded,
is simply incorrect.
2) If I understand your argument, it's based on the meaning of 'in front of'. Any position forward of a plane perpendicular to the axis of the bore located at the muzzle is 'in front of' the charged gun and thus unsafe. I guess I'd need to see the kinematics of how a round exiting the bore would strike an object 45 degrees off that axis to fully understand your position.
Clearly I agree that one does not enter the area forward of the firing line at a range, regardless of the angle from the person to any muzzle on the line. However, the reason for that is not the geometry but rather the inability to positively control those muzzles. They're in the hands of human beings.
That does not apply to the gun in the loading stand. It is not loaded (assuming the human in charge of the gun has not violated the rule about not capping before charging) and it is pointed in a (by my definition) safe direction away from my body parts and yours.
So, I think it comes down to those two points. I assume I'll not convince you, and am fairly certain I'll not have my opinion changed.
By the way, I'd have no hesitation in shooting with you on the line. Clearly you take this seriously and have thought it through. I just disagree on those two points.