Here’s a case of an untrained gun owner thinking she’s safer simply because she owns a gun.
According to a report by CNN, a woman who bought a gun to protect herself from rioters appears to have accidentally fatally shot herself in the head.
In the days leading up to the eventual Grand Jury decision to indict Officer Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, there have been widespread reports of record gun sales in and around Ferguson, Missouri as local citizens and law enforcement prepared for potential civil unrest.
The report says:
“The female victim, identified in a police report as Becca Campbell, 26, was a passenger in a car involved in an auto accident. Her 33-year-old boyfriend was driving, the sources told CNN.
The boyfriend, who wasn’t identified, told police that the couple had bought a gun because of fears of unrest related to the pending grand jury decision on the shooting of Michael Brown, the sources said.
He told investigators that as they drove late Friday night, the victim waved a gun, jokingly saying the couple were ready for Ferguson, the sources said.
He ducked to get out of the way of the gun and accidentally rear-ended another car. He said the accident caused the gun to go off and she was struck by a bullet in the head, the sources said.”
First of all, our sympathies are with the friends of family of Ms. Campbell. It’s always tragic when life is lost for any reason.
This case highlights the importance of proper training. Following any one of the four universal gun laws would probably have prevented this tragic accident:
- Keep you finger OFF the trigger until you’re ready to fire.
- Handle EVERY firearm as if it were loaded.
- NEVER point the firearm at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
- Be sure of your target and what’s behind it.
A firearm, like any powerful piece of equipment, should be respected and handled with extreme caution.
If you decide to purchase a firearm for any reason, but especially for self-defense, it’s a wise and responsible decision to get professional training.
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