Every type of gun safety problem was on display in gun accidents that occurred today.

All of today’s accidents are tragic, but none more so than the death of a Texas two-year old in Lawrence, Kansas who was shot in the chest while visiting at a local home.  Details of the circumstances of the accident are scarce, but police are clear that the shooting was accidental.

“It’s just horrible — so important to have gun locks and gun safes for your children when they are in the home whether they belong to you or not,” a neighbor  said. “If you know children are coming to your home on a daily basis, they need to lock them up.”

In Dolores County, Colorado, Gregory Gabrisch, who was hunting with a bow and arrow, was shot and killed by another hunter in the San Juan National Forest.   The hunter who fired the fatal round, Ronald Morosko, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide. 

In Mill Creek, Washington, a man shot and wounded his 63-year old father, believing him to be a burglar.  Several rounds were fired, but the victim was expected to survive. No charges are expected.

A Lake City, Florida man was cleaning his gun when it fired. He was shot in the lower leg, but is also expect to survive after treatment at the hospital.  Again, no charges have been filed.  There is no report about the type of gun that discharged in the incident, including whether it had a magazine safety disconnect, a loaded chamber indicator or an external manual safety. Nor was their information about the man’s level of gun safety training.

Finally, a Shreveport, Louisiana woman was shot and injured when a man’s gun fired while it was in his pocket.  She is expected to survive.

Every one of these accidents was entirely preventable with safer gun designs and more rigorous gun safety training.

Sources:

Hyperlinks above are to source material.