http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nati ... 7920.story
More people owning gun means more people doing stupid shit with guns.
Media saturation means more people hearing about it.
Non gun owners who otherwise don't have strong opinions about R2K issues develop negative views on gun ownership.

Obviously he didn't know unloading a firearm means checking the chamber as well. Sad story.

Poor dad is going to have a miserable existence from now on. I don't know how I could look at myself in the mirror. So sad.

Greengunner wrote:http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nati ... 7920.story
More people owning gun means more people doing stupid shit with guns.
Media saturation means more people hearing about it.
Non gun owners who otherwise don't have strong opinions about R2K issues develop negative views on gun ownership.

This wasn't "stupid shit", it was a mistake and tragedy. It could happen to anyone... and I don't give a crap who says "Not me.. I always safety check my guns"... all it takes is a distraction or not paying attention.

SenileDavid wrote:It could happen to anyone... and I don't give a crap who says "Not me.. I always safety check my guns"... all it takes is a distraction or not paying attention.

QFT. The longer you handle firearms, the more opportunities you have for that one lapse that will make a perfect three or four decade record of gun safety vanish in one BOOM.


It's a good thing sheetrock doesn't bleed.

firearm is not safe until the CHAMBER is DOUBLE checked. sad. gonna hug my sons now.

Yes, it was a tragedy, and yes, it was an accident, but it was also colossally stupid.

I don't point my gun at anyone, safety checked or not.
Never point your gun at anyone. Period. It's a simple rule anyone can follow.
Had that rule been followed, this would not have happened. Had that rule been followed, the ND would have gone through the windshield, or the floor of the vehicle, or into the dash, but it would not have gone into that little boy.

I'm not perfect. Far from it in fact. I had a Tausus 66 revolver. The gun, like the new Smith 686's, chambers seven rounds. Once, I pulled the gun out of my bedside safe and opened the cylinder and dumped the bullets. I closed the cylinder and started wiping the gun with an oiled rag. I dry fired a couple of times. I reopened the cylider and discovered a single round still chambered. I'd only dumped six. I stopped what I was doing, put the gun down and took a few deep breaths. That was a close one. Here's the thing, when I was dry firing, the gun was pointed at the floor.

Again, I'm not perfect. I'm empty headed, I'm forgetful, I lose my car keys all the time. I know this about myself and so, I'll never point a gun, saftey checked or not, at anyone I don't intend to kill.

This was not an accident.
There is a difference between negligence and an accident.
This was as much an accident as drunk driving manslaughter is an accident.

"Hit his son in the chest".

What was he doing pointing a gun at his son, or anybody else for that matter?
Why did the gun go off?
Why did he remove the magazine, and pull the trigger while pointing at his son? Jokingly dry firing the gun?

This was negligent homicide at a minimum.
But it was NOT an accident.

And this is why REAL handgun training should be mandatory before anyone is allowed to handle a gun.

Awake wrote:This was not an accident.
There is a difference between negligence and an accident.
This was as much an accident as drunk driving manslaughter is an accident.

"Hit his son in the chest".

What was he doing pointing a gun at his son, or anybody else for that matter?
Why did the gun go off?
Why did he remove the magazine, and pull the trigger while pointing at his son? Jokingly dry firing the gun?

This was negligent homicide at a minimum.
But it was NOT an accident.

And this is why REAL handgun training should be mandatory before anyone is allowed to handle a gun.

He violated 2 rules.

1) Only point a gun at something you wish to destroy (I doubt he wanted to destroy his son)
2) Treat every gun as if it were loaded (IT WAS)

There were two actions there, each of which could have easily been prevented. This was negligence pure and simple.

Seriously, who stands there outside a gun shop, neglects to check the chamber, and then, while pointing the gun at his sons friggin chest, pulls the damn trigger.

Very sad. Note that the weapon discharged as he was getting into his truck. Speculatively, he may have removed it from wherever he had it after leaving the gun shop - maybe holster but more likely coat pocket - and accidentally pressed the trigger as he was getting into the seat. Maybe he was trying to place it into a well between the seats, or something similar. I see too much casual gun handling by enthusiasts and collectors who've handled firearms for decades but still don't understand the value of muzzle control.

This was beyond stupid and negligent and there's probably legal ground for an indictment, but unless this man has a documented history of reckless behavior, I can't imagine a prosecutor will want the publicity of prosecuting a man who accidentally killed his only son.

As the father of an only child I think that his punishment as it stands right now is sufficient.

Greengunner wrote:I'm not perfect. Far from it in fact. I had a Tausus 66 revolver. The gun, like the new Smith 686's, chambers seven rounds. Once, I pulled the gun out of my bedside safe and opened the cylinder and dumped the bullets. I closed the cylinder and started wiping the gun with an oiled rag. I dry fired a couple of times. I reopened the cylider and discovered a single round still chambered. I'd only dumped six. I stopped what I was doing, put the gun down and took a few deep breaths. That was a close one. Here's the thing, when I was dry firing, the gun was pointed at the floor.

Muzzle control is a must. When I'm handling a firearm, my focus is on where the muzzle is pointing. I end up tracing an imaginary line around feet, tv's etc.. I do shoot at the tv but then it's a target.

I thought the little example on this page for the revolverist was good. I triple check and then still check again before I dry fire.

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/fire ... -it-empty/

ErikO wrote:As the father of an only child I think that his punishment as it stands right now is sufficient.

True to me.

ErikO wrote:As the father of an only child I think that his punishment as it stands right now is sufficient.

No. He should learn then teach gun safety.

This alone will redeem his child.