A Reminder: GUN SAFETY! - Death In My Area

[walleye]

Horrible reminder of Gun Safety today. Yesterday, first day of "hunting with rifle" season here, a young man, but 18 yrs old, lost his life.

Apparently, he and his friend got a deer and were dragging it away, they stopped to rest, and the young man placed his rifle against a tree or log - authorities are still investigating, including exactly where gun was placed. But wherever, it fell and discharged into his face.

The friend called 911 on his cell but apparently did know exactly where they were and Medical and Police had to search for 20 min. to find and transport victim. But it was too late. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Guns I always liken to cars. In and of themselves they are not dangerous. But in use, their safety is only as good as the user's safety.

I'm going to try and remember this poor young man every time I handle a gun if I can. It will reinforce MY job - my FIRST job: to always practice safety. That is the initial way I can Defend myself and those around me. If I don't do that, I may never have a need for the rest...........

I never knew him, but I wish the young man's family - who is reported to be in a very bad state, his friends, and especially the friend who witnessed this and who will have it with him all his life: eventual peace. I don't know how they can bear it.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Hiram25]

Prayers for all involved. It only takes one bad decision!

[archer51]

Prayers to the family. 1/2 second to put the safety back on and he'd be bragging about the deer now.

[OldVet]

Heard more than my share of these hunting tragedies. Such a sad--but avoidable--loss.

[paramedic70002]

Well, I HOPE it was an accident but gun falling and firing into face, with another present, sounds suspicious.

[BkCo1]

I also question a rifle falling and discharging in someones face.
Semper Fi

[sureshot1]

Always remember, accidents with firearms tend to have very bad outcomes. When handling firearms safety is priority #1, you snooze you lose !! Too bad for the young man, his life ended to soon. Very Sad

[Ishmael]

It's hard to picture exactly how it happened, but assuming it happened as stated, I guess there is a reason why those hunting safety classes tell you to never "lean" a rifle anywhere, even if you do make the already questionable decision to put it down with a round in the chamber. Sometimes I hate to dissect incidents like this, out of respect for the dead, but hopefully anyone involved would see a positive in other people trying to make sure it never happens to them or others.

[HK Dan]

We had an incident during shotgun deer season. A father shot in the chest and the son wounded, presumably by the same slug (we have to hunt with shotguns here). The incident is still under investigation, and how sad.

[Shawn89]

Had what could have been a bad situation a few years ago with a muzzle loader not fireing,I shot it but nothing happened I stood still and kept my gun aimed at the target for what seemed like for ever and finally it did fire either the patch had oil on it or there was some left in the firing chamber that caused the powerd to be delayed.I can only imagine what would have happened if I didnt know better then to just set it down.Id never look down a barrel of a gun.

[dukalmighty]

Sounds to ma if the gun discharged with the safety on,there will be a lawsuit against the firearms company,even if it discharged with the safety off unless the trigger was pulled it shouldn't have discharged,there will definitely be an intense investigation launched looking at bullet trajectory,witness statements,and any gun issues

[hogdaddy]

I hate to hear accedents like this, Would/Should be Easly avoided.
H/D

[walleye]

Sounds to ma if the gun discharged with the safety on,there will be a lawsuit against the firearms company,even if it discharged with the safety off unless the trigger was pulled it shouldn't have discharged,there will definitely be an intense investigation launched looking at bullet trajectory,witness statements,and any gun issues

Yes, this just happened - so the investigation is starting.