Hunter Shoots, Kills Self

WKZO ^ | 17 Nov 2010 | unattributed

[Beeman]

Trigger guard or not, a gun can shoot if jarred hard enough. While preparing for a deer hunt, my brother and I were loading guns at the side of his truck. We had set the guns down on the floorboard as we got our other items together. Upon removing the rifles, one discharged after being bumped on the side of the vehicle. This can happen. I learned a great lesson.

[21twelve]

I remember holding onto my rifle going over a wire fence while hunting with my dad and older brother. My dad gave me a talking to on how I was supposed to make sure a round wasn’t chambered, lay it on the ground, climb over, then pick it back up again. Or - hand it to him.

He made me stay back at the car until lunch. And he didn’t give me my BB gun back until then either. I was 7 at the time.

[TalonDJ]

It's like a "single car crash"--it's almost always a suicide.

Actually huge numbers of those are drunk driving and falling asleep while driving.

[TalonDJ]

Just about anything. If the gun is swaying while moving upward it would only take a projection the size of a bolt head. All it has to do is swing the swing up against that at just the wrong time. the swinging motion means the protrusion would go right past into the side of the trigger guard opening.

[smokingfrog]

can someone tell me what sort of projection would be on a ladder that would do that?

What does it matter? The gun should not have been loaded in the first place.

[TalonDJ]

You know. You sound a lot more credible on the subject of firearm handling if you don't mix up ‘clip’ and ‘magazine’. They are not the same thing.

[DoughtyOne]

I didn’t use the word magazine. Perhaps your referencing my reference to tube-fed vs clip.

You are right that they are different, but the point is both are holding areas feeding ammunition to the weapon.

Having ammo in the tube (magazine/if I’m understanding you correctly) is still basically the same as having more rounds in the clip.

Do you disagree?

[smokingfrog]

NRA Range Operational Rules

If you are not on the firing line and actively shooting, it would be best to case your weapon or follow the same rules for clearing the firing line.

When the line is declared "CLEAR":

* All firearms must be holstered; or unloaded and benched or grounded, with the muzzle pointed down range, with the action open, ejection port or cylinder up, and magazine removed.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the mention. My only caviot would be than you can’t safely point down range once you leave the firing line. Other than that I would agree.

[MaggieCarta]

Actually huge numbers of those are drunk driving and falling asleep while driving

Whatever

[3niner]

You’re suggesting it wasn’t an accident. I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right that it’s awfully implausible as an accident.

[School of Rational Thought]

Aren't tree stand accidents the leading cause of Hunter's deaths?

I think that is correct.

[B4Ranch]

>>I agree. I don’t think this was an accident. It’s like a “single car crash”—it’s almost always a suicide. <<

Ever driven in a snow storm or on ice? There’s more single car accidents due to driving too fast for conditions than multiple car accidents.

[Sax]

About 20 years ago I brought my girlfriend (wife) somewhat reluctantly to the range. She swung a loaded rifle down across the firing line - I was the only one to see it. I gave her quick, stern, low toned directions to point it down, where upon I returned it to the bench. 20 years later, still has yet to touch a gun.

If someone’s adamantly not comfortable, maybe let it go.

[equaviator]

It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last so dry your eyes, save your tears and move on people, there’s nothing to see here.