So you can do so in real life too. Whats the issue? Just keep that pesky little trigger finger under control xD :-)

You're weapon is just always safety off, encourages people to not be idiots...hey be glad it isn't as it was in Operation Flashpoint, wherein shooting at the ground could cause you to shoot yourself in the foot and thus kill yourself.

I think that a different crosshair should be used while the player is not holding the rifle in a ready to fire stance, or not displayed at all (as when sprinting or walking with rifle lowered).

The inconsistency between movement modes is the problem:

Walking: crosshair visible, LMB will shoot in direction of crosshair
Tactical Pace : crosshair visible, LMB will shoot in direction of crosshair
Run: crosshair visible, LMB will shoot into ground, well below crosshair
Sprint: no crosshair, LMB will stop player and raise weapon (but not shoot). See #4952

I can do so in real life, so what's the issue?

In real life I know exactly what condition my weapon is in. I have absolute control over it at all times. I know when it is lowered and when it is raised. I don't have to press a button to raise or lower my weapon. I don't accidentally let off a 10-20 round burst of automatic fire because my "crosshairs" are pointed straight but my gun is pointed to the ground.

That's the issue. When my weapon is lowered in ArmA I treat it as if the safety is on. With the new changes in the most recent update there's no way to reliably know what condition your weapon is in.

Whenever I lower my gun it acts the same way it has since A1 with the 1 click to raise rather than lower..will test more with more weapons to see if I can replicate what you are saying.

I agree with the OP : the crosshair is meant to indicate where exactly your weapon is pointing, nothing else. The GL crosshair points correctly to the ground when you start running, just do the same for any weapon's muzzle.

agree.
I think the crosshair should be hidden while running (just like during sprint) and only show up in walk and combat pace speed.
Also, when running or sprinting, "Fire" key should turn out to be disabled if pressed.

Anyway, i think this is related to #833

I don't have a problem with my weapon firing at the ground when running as that is where my gun is pointing . I do however have a problem with my cross-hairs pointing forward while my gun is pointed down. Cross hair are suppose to be a visual representation of where your weapon is pointing. This does need a fix in my opinion.

This issue was processed by our team and will be looked into. We thank you for your feedback.