There were at least four incidents of accidental gun violence today.  Two of the incidents involved guns firing when they were dropped, a common gun defect.  The other two incidents were accidental shooting in vehicles, which often occur because people attempt to store guns that they are carrying before entering a store or another public place.

The first drop fire incident occurred in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where a one-year old child was shot when their father’s gun fell out of his pants and hit the floor.  The incident occurred as the child’s parents were arguing.  The child’s mother was arrested and charged with domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor.  The child was struck in the “backside,” and is expected to live.

In Opelika, Alabama, police responded when a woman dropped a gun at a TJ Maxx store and a round discharged and struck her in the foot.   She is also expected to live.

A Richmond, Virginia man accidentally shot another man in a car while parked at an apartment complex. According to sources, a passenger mishandled a gun.  It went off and struck the driver, who suffered life-threatening injuries.  “I was born and raised in Richmond and it’s definitely different than what it was 50 years ago,” a local resident said. “You used to be able to walk outside and enjoy. Not now, you don’t know if you’ll get shot going to the dumpster or getting your mail and that’s unfortunate. It really is.”

Two North Charleston, South Carolina teenagers are facing unspecified charges after they mishandled a gun in a car in the parking lot at a local mall.  One of the boys was shot in the hand.  Police also located a second gun that the boys had hidden in nearby woods.

Sources:

Hyperlinks above contain source material for each incident.