I have heard concern that 'running out' can cause the engine to back-fire and damage the catalytic converter. But once yer outta gas, the only way to get gas in the tank is to pour it in

if you had gone totally empty on gas. Don't remember the procedure, just remember the extra angst in case I did run out of gas.

You need to get the gas to cycle first. The one time it happened to me, we tried to start it once it had gas and it did not start. We figured we would we cycle the ignition a few times. Once the gas was in the tank, turn the key to the "on" slot, but not the "start" or "run" slot. Its that spot where the electric works, but the car is not on. Usually the radio will work. Wait a few second, then turn it off. We cycled this a few times, maybe 3 or 4. The theory is that the electricity will engage the fuel pump, letting it prime the system. Then start her up. If it does not engage right away, turn it off and try again. Don't let it crank dry. Not sure if this would work for all cars, but it did for mine. We kind of made it up at the scene.

With modern cars, is that the electrical fuel pump is inside the tank and uses the fuel to cool the pump. If you run the car completely out of gas, you risk burning up the fuel pump, and that can cost hundreds of dollars to replace the pump.

Sounds like the people were asking should the prime the carburetor with fuel. Which is a bad idea. That can cause an engine fire. Given most cars these days are fuel injector, you just pour gas in the tank and hope the fuel pump isn't burned out.