A negligent discharge occurs when a firearm discharges (fires) at a moment when the user didn’t intend it to. The issue with this is that people are frequently hurt or killed when a firearm gets discharged negligently. Here’s what you must know about negligent discharge and what to do if you’re in this situation, brought to you by the firearms safety education professionals from Gun Safety Training Pros, your premier choice for gun classes online.
Manufacturing Flaws
Defective production is rarely the cause of negligent firearm discharges. Generally, a negligent discharge occurs when the user has pulled the trigger unintentionally or purposefully pulled the trigger without checking to see if the gun was unloaded and didn’t want it to fire.
Gun Drop
With safety components in modern guns, a discharge caused from a drop isn’t likely to occur.
Vehicle Transport
When transporting a firearm, the gun should always be in a holster or case of some sort. If placed under a seat or in a messy glovebox with no protection over the trigger guard, something could catch on the trigger and cause the gun to go off when it’s grabbed.
Insufficient Upkeep
Contrary to what many believe, a gun that isn’t maintained or cleaned is generally not any more likely to have a negligent discharge.
Gun Modifications
Issues can occur with guns that have been modified by the user. This is most common with at-home trigger jobs. If you want to improve your gun, let a reputable gunsmith do the work.
Shooting while Intoxicated
Using alcohol or other intoxicants can impair judgment and result in the incorrect use of a firearm.
Reckless Handling
When a gun gets mishandled, a negligent firearm discharge might occur (by a child or other person unschooled in firearm safety, etc.).
Prevention of Negligent Discharges
There are some steps you can take to avoid these instances:
- Make sure the gun gets purchased from a reputable source. You don’t want to purchase a used gun that has been modified internally by its owner.
- Maintain your gun correctly, and make sure to use the proper ammunition.
- Keep the gun in a safe place, where it’s not at risk of being found by anyone who shouldn’t have access to it.
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction at all times.
- Make sure the gun is unloaded while not in use.
If a gun is mishandled, it’s likely that a negligent discharge could injure you or your loved ones. There are many explanations for these occurrences, but the main takeaway should be to do everything in your control to ensure this never happens.
If you already own a firearm or you’re considering purchasing one, it’s essential to know how to use it safely. Gun Safety Training Pros is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training available. If you need to learn how to handle a gun and shoot safely and you want high-quality firearms education, we have what you need. For more information, contact one of our knowledgeable team members today at [email protected].
