Two people were shot and wounded today in separate accidents caused by friends who were in possession of guns illegally.

In Joplin Missouri, a 48-year old man was cleaning a stolen handgun and accidentally shot his girlfriend in the abdomen. She is currently hospitalized in stable condition.  Police are investigating the theft.

In Murray, Utah, a 17-year old boy was accidentally shot in the hip by a friend who was in illegal possession of a handgun.  The teen initially attempted to cover up the circumstances of the shooting to protect the boy who had shot him.  Police say charges against the shooter are likely.

These types of accidents, which are common, raise the difficult question, among others, of whether there should be gun safety training targeted to children and other at-risk populations.

Source:

“Joplin Police Department Responds to Sunday Night Shooting,”  KOAM News Now (August 3, 2020).

Jennifer Gardiner, “17-year-old Accidentally Shot by Friend at an Apartment in Murray,” ABC4.com (August 3, 2020).