Local teen killed cleaning gun

[redneck2]

Supposedly a really nice kid. Cleaned snow off the neighbors sidewalks, etc.

Cleaning an empty gun that wasn't empty. Only posting this as a reminder to everybody.

http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Police--408061235.html

 

[red rick]

Such sad news .

 

[stevekozak]

That article and video were incredibly lacking in detail. Did not see mention of cleaning.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

In fact, they said that they didn't know the circumstances or even if the kid was the one with the gun, or for that matter, what type it was.

 

[Drail]

"detectives haven't said if they plan to charge anyone..." Seriously? I suppose they could charge the company who made the gun or the dealer who sold the gun or the company who made the ammunition......... but as stevekozak pointed out the article was "completely lacking in detail". Indeed.

 

[1911 guy]

So sad. My own son is 12, approaching the age of the boy who was shot. Can't imagine a thing like that. Unfortunately, it seems to happen mor around the holidays for some reason. Here in N.E. Ohio yesterday, a police officer left his duty weapon unsecured at home, his six year old son shot himself.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Did you see something other than what was in this story? It doesn't mention cleaning, only that it was an accident.

"detectives haven't said if they plan to charge anyone..." Seriously?

I don't see the problem with this statement, since the story is so lacking in details.
Now if he was cleaning the gun, as the OP states, then obviously there shouldn't be anyone charged for a mere accident.
However, if negligence was the cause of the accidental shooting then there very well may be charges warranted.
We just don't have enough information to make an educated call on whether or not that is the case.

In all likelyhood it was merely an accident.

In any case, I can't help but think of what his family is going through. My child is 13 as well. I can only imagine.

 

[redneck2]

This is my local station. They had said in the TV report that he was cleaning it. Just can't imagine being the family and having this happen, particularly this time of year.

 

[JSH1]

Now if he was cleaning the gun, as the OP states, then obviously there shouldn't be anyone charged for a mere accident.
However, if negligence was the cause of the accidental shooting then there very well may be charges warranted.
We just don't have enough information to make an educated call on whether or not that is the case.

In all likelyhood it was merely an accident.

In some states the parents could be charged under safe storage laws.

 

[200Apples]

.
Clear your weapon!

1. All guns are always loaded...


Another tragedy which could have been avoided with proper gun handling training.

My condolences.

 

[cdk8]

So sad. My own son is 12, approaching the age of the boy who was shot. Can't imagine a thing like that. Unfortunately, it seems to happen mor around the holidays for some reason. Here in N.E. Ohio yesterday, a police officer left his duty weapon unsecured at home, his six year old son shot himself.

I've noticed this too. Why is this?

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I believe accidents happen year round but certain things tend to get publicized more at certain times of the year. Still, it has to hurt all the more for the survivors.

 

[gojuice101]

.
Clear your weapon!

1. All guns are always loaded...


Another tragedy which could have been avoided with proper gun handling training.

My condolences.

Exactly. First thing I do when handling, cleaning, etc. is to verify visually and physically that it is clear. Seems common sense to me. I always struggle to understand how someone could not do that. These stories are always sad, especially since they are so easily avoidable.

 

[Cannibul]

Many reported deaths "while cleaning" are actually suicides.

 

[jonb32248]

Whatever the reason it's a shame for the family and avoidable. Hug your kids a little longer. Merry Christmas!

 

[Walkalong]

So sad, I just don't understand cleaning a gun without making sure it's unloaded first. A kid I can understand and assume he didn't get proper training, but we see "experienced" people do it too.

 

[MEHavey]

"Cleaning a gun" is the universal mass media excuse for careless/stupidity in handling (if not actually playing with) the weapon.

I seriously doubt anyone was actually "cleaning" anything.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Shots fired "plural" ? Possible charges involving others? How could you fire multiple shots while cleaning you rifle with an audience?

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree with Cannibul and MEHavey. Holiday depression is a known phenomenon and covering up a suicide as an accident to preserve the reputation of the deceased is common.
Likewise horseplay with guns is likely often dismissed as an accident to avoid prosecution of the negligent.

 

[Panzerschwein]

So, so very sad.

The local coach's son accidently blew his head off when cleaning a shotgun not too long back. Horrid.

 

[tactikel]

It was common in days gone by to cover up suicides by listing them as accidents. Many insurance policies had suicide clauses, the "cleaning a gun" narrative was an attempt by well meaning people to allow the family to collect.

 

[herrwalther]

George Carlin had a joke that illustrated my views of this exactly.

"Finally, a man in Texas was arrested today for shooting and killing:
his wife, son, two daughters, his mother and father, all four of his
grandparents, his dog, his mailman, three neighbors, and a woman who
works at the filling station. He claims he was just cleaning his gun
when it suddenly went off."

Most people who have accidental shootings while "cleaning" probably were not cleaning anything.

1. All guns are always loaded...

I know this is one of "the rules" but I don't agree with it. If firearms were treated as if they were always loaded, no cleaning would ever be done. All firearms are always loaded until you are completely sure they are not. Splitting hairs I know.

 

[Averageman]

Many reported deaths "while cleaning" are actually suicides.

This is very true.

 

[salt&battery]

I've noticed this too. Why is this?

because suicides are high during holidays. I think most of the time the family to cover the shame of a suicide says person was cleaning a gun. it is so hard to shoot yourself "cleaning" a gun more likely to happen while pointing it at your head

 

[vito]

Ernest Hemingway's suicide was reported as an accident that occurred while he was cleaning his gun. But despite whether or not it was a suicide, and whether or not it happened while cleaning, the reality is that people do really get killed or hurt when a supposedly unloaded gun is actually loaded and carelessly fired. I have been handed a gun by someone else that I could see was unloaded, but yet out of habit I still check it or clear it myself as soon as it is in my hands. I doubt that these accidents happen too often with revolvers, and my guess is that the common type accident is with a semi auto pistol that does not have the magazine disconnect feature. It is not hard to imagine a person unfamiliar with firearms removing the loaded magazine and having no idea that there might be a round in the chamber that can be fired by pulling the trigger. Safety has to be the top priority for anyone handling firearms.