Earlier today I learned via FB that my Teen Nephew managed to get himself shot in the leg with a .22. The bullet lodged in the bone, but otherwise he is fine.
According to the particulars I’ve heard so far, he had a friend over handling a rifle. He supposedly pulled the clip and checked the chamber but apparently not close enough. It went off when he was putting the rifle away.
At least it wasn’t his shotgun (he has a 20-gauge), it would’ve taken his leg off. Or that anything vital was hit. Or any of the kids (JJ, the twins, JJ’s friend from across the street, or Mark if he was visiting).
A few observations here, aside from the obvious failure to check the chamber and cycle the action a few times to make sure it was clear (how can you miss a bullet in a chamber anyway?):
- It seems to me that a HUGE percentage of gun accidents, including fatal ones, involve the diminutive .22. For some reason, the .22 just doesn’t seem to receive the same respect that it’s bigger brothers do. A .45, a .357 Magnum, or even a 9mm garners immediate respect because of the massive trauma they can cause, as well as the loud bang and kick they issue (not that there aren’t accidents with these as well, no gun is stupid proof). Yet too many seem to regard the .22 as no more lethal than a BB because of it’s size and relative lack of noise, or recoil. The .22 isn’t a stopping round, it’s a stealth killer. It can easily tear up internal organs, particularly if it tumbles or ricochets off a bone, and cause massive internal bleeding that will kill, if not as quickly, as surely as a .38 hollowpoint through the heart. And it seems to be the weapon of choice for accidents by total morons or people that just aren’t very conscientious about their basic gun safety.
- I was always taught that if someone else is handling your guns in your presence, then you are as responsible for seeing to their safe handling of your guns as they are for practicing gun safety. I don’t mean to say you should hover over a trusted and experienced shooting buddy that’s trying out your Glock at the other end of the shooting range. But while storing or cleaning, you need to be following up behind them, especially if they aren’t as experienced or familiar with firearms as you are. I’m not sure of Teen Nephew’s culpability here, but he should bear some responsibility under the circumstances. Trouble is he’s not the most responsible teenager even in the best of circumstances, and I question the parents allowing him to keep guns in his room. I hope that his mom and stepdad seriously rethink that privilege.
- If you are going to keep guns in your home, teach your kids the ins and outs of gun safety well. But never turn a blind eye to the fact that they are kids, prone to making bad decisions, and that they never could make one with a loaded gun. Also, child safety vs having a firearm loaded and available for immediate use should be balanced carefully according to your family situation. Myself, I prefer to err slightly on the side of child safety. If you cannot guarantee the kids won’t get into the guns or misuse them, you are probably better off having them locked away and using some other means of protection. Several years ago, due to my stepson’s erratic behavior, I disassembled my trusty shotgun and locked away the pieces in separate locations, as well as the ammo. This was during the time when Columbine and Jonesboro were frightening headlines and I didn’t want to find myself in the same shoes as the parents of those murderers. Even though we lived in a dicey neighborhood at the time, I decided not to risk him getting hold of it in a fit of anger or misguided revenge.
As AJ gets older I intend on teaching him about guns. But I will also be thinking about the safety of having a loaded gun in the house, and balancing that against his age, his behavior, and his level of responsibility. And in my house, gun safety is paramount over all other concerns.
It is up to us to drill all our children, and any friends that we may bring into the world of firearms and target shooting, the particulars of gun safety and especially the fact that all it takes is one moment’s inattention or carelessness to potentially ruin or destroy someone’s life forever. The libtards and gun control freaks think that guns are too hazardous, that there is no such thing as a responsible gun owner, and they should manage our guns for us or take them all away. Let’s not give them any more ammunition than they already have been given from those who are so stupid they have no business being around guns.
That’s the absolute best thing you can do: raise children with weapons. Teach them safety and to respect the damage guns can inflict, not just on targets but animals and the human body. They are just tools that we use.
Too many otherwise sane people sell or lock up their guns when their babies are born. I just don’t understand it. What will happen when their kids encounter, say, a friend playing with a .22? Instead of calling an adult or safely unloading and stowing it, they won’t know what to do or what will happen if they play with it… regardless of t.v. and movies.
By: pam on June 16, 2010
at 10:35 am
Pretty much how I grew up – knowing where the guns were and how to leave them alone.
By: patti on June 16, 2010
at 5:17 pm
Hope Teen Nephew is doing well and I’m glad you’re teaching gun safety to anyone/everyone.
I’ve only ever really shot a .22. For all the reasons you’ve mentioned, but the one thing I was taught before I even picked it up the first time was you can NEVER, ever assume the gun is unloaded, never assume the safety’s on, and never assume that anyone else around you is as vigilant as you are.
By: Da Goddess on June 20, 2010
at 10:35 pm
Good post. I have been trying to teach our kids gun safety, but I still keep them locked up. I worry about their friends over whom I have no control. Plus guns are a target for theft so I’d rather make it as difficult as possible. That said, hoping to blow some shit up this Fourth of July, both fireworks and some shooting. Have a safe one!
By: grigoryrasputin on June 26, 2010
at 6:56 am