Ocoee, FL - With all the advancements in gun safety made over the past century, there's one component that cannot be fixed. The human brain.
A 2-year old now lays in Arnold Palmer Hospital, clinging to life, because his idiotic older cousin was "placing the .22 caliber gun into a box and it went off." This, according to the Associated Press, is what caused this tragedy.
As a gun owner, I can think of several reasons why proper gun safety would have never allowed this scenario to occur. Now, the cousin did the right thing in admitting it was his fault and no charges have been filed. The guilt alone of nearly killing a 2 year old will ruin him for the rest of his life.
This is also another reason why people need to understand that the caliber of a gun doesn't determine definitively its level of lethality. By that, I mean, just because it was a .22 handgun, the smallest handgun caliber made, didn't stop this bullet from penetrating a wall and piercing the skull of a baby.
Statistically, the .22 round is one of (if not the most) deadliest calibers made. There are many accidental shootings and deaths attributed to this caliber. People need to respect every gun, no matter what caliber the bullet.
Here are some tips:
A 2-year old now lays in Arnold Palmer Hospital, clinging to life, because his idiotic older cousin was "placing the .22 caliber gun into a box and it went off." This, according to the Associated Press, is what caused this tragedy.
As a gun owner, I can think of several reasons why proper gun safety would have never allowed this scenario to occur. Now, the cousin did the right thing in admitting it was his fault and no charges have been filed. The guilt alone of nearly killing a 2 year old will ruin him for the rest of his life.
This is also another reason why people need to understand that the caliber of a gun doesn't determine definitively its level of lethality. By that, I mean, just because it was a .22 handgun, the smallest handgun caliber made, didn't stop this bullet from penetrating a wall and piercing the skull of a baby.
Statistically, the .22 round is one of (if not the most) deadliest calibers made. There are many accidental shootings and deaths attributed to this caliber. People need to respect every gun, no matter what caliber the bullet.
Here are some tips:
- If you are putting a gun away, into a box, safe, etc, it is obvious you are not planning on using this weapon in a crisis. Make sure the chamber is cleared by removing the magazine and pulling the slide back to ensure no round was chambered during previous handling. Make sure the barrel is clear and if you have time, clean the weapon itself before storage.
- If you are placing a gun into a box that will available for close access in case of a home invasion, etc, be sure that this is a Gun Vault type of product that ensures only people allowed to handle the gun in the home have access. Biometric is best as it speeds up access in case of an emergency. And it prevents children from accessing the firearm.
- When handling any firearm, be sure to always point the barrel in the direction of things you won't mind destroying if in-fact you do have an accidental discharge. The ground, a bed, away from any people, preferably something you know will absorb the round. It's better to have a gun fire into the closet and get caught in your clothes and shoes than into a person or pet.
- If you are unsure of how to properly handle a firearm, sign up for a course at a local range. There is no shame in asking for help. As men, we are stubborn and find it hard to admit we need advice on certain things. Don't be a douche. Get training from a professional.
- Unless you grew up fighting a civil war in a third world country, or on the frontier with a dad who showed you the ropes at an early age, you're probably just a gun enthusiast who enjoys protecting his 2nd Amendment Rights. That doesn't give you the right to handle a firearm without proper training. Get advice. Practice weekly. Lives are at stake here.
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