Accidental Discharges

Last week a hunter shot himself in the groin when he accidentally touched off a round from his unholstered pistol while preparing to enter Henry’s Lake Station. He was helicoptered to the hospital and fortunately survived his injury. 

Regardless of how familiar one is with firearms, accidental discharges seem to occur too frequently while handling guns. This recent incident reminded me of several incidents that occurred while I was serving as a police officer for the City of Pocatello. A fellow patrolman had parked his patrol car in the foothills above the city and was practicing his quick draw when he touched off a round. He killed his fender.

An officer was involved in a vehicle pursuit. The suspect stopped at the top of Benton Street Overpass. The officer exited the patrol car, drew his pistol and ordered the suspect out of his vehicle. After a few tense moments, the suspect sped away from the officer. The officer jumped into his cruiser, gun in hand and put the car in gear. Unfortunately, the officer had cocked his pistol during the traffic stop. As he pulled down on the gear shift he also pull down on his trigger, blowing out his windshield.

Another officer was in his apartment cleaning his service revolver while watching Starsky and Hutch. He got so wrapped in in the plot that he felt the need to assist the detectives in subduing the suspect by dry-firing at the TV. Unfortunately he had loaded his pistol! His wife’s mood that night was a little tense, even after he offered the explanation as to why he had blown out their television.

Finally, the current Police Chief of Pocatello was participating in a swat exercise and entering a building when the officer behind him accidentally torched off a round and shot the eventual chief in the butt.

My point is just that no matter how proficient you may be with a gun, bad things can happen in a moment of inattention. Be careful while handling or storing firearms. The stories that have been recounted are humorous but there are many more that end tragically. Be safe while enjoying the outdoors.