IKEA apologises for child shooting a gun

US child death rates have been spectacularly high. Thats even without the accidental gun deaths mind you.

 

Besides pee her pants, right?

 

And we have them so rarely that they make national news when they happen.

 

I have hunted and been around hunters all my life. Occasionally, there are stories of hunters shooting themselves or others climbing over obstacles, ascending or defending tree stands, or simple tripping while carrying a gun loaded or off safe and sometimes shooting another by accidentally mistaking them for game or not realizing they were in the line of fire. News of that sort is generally met with distain from hunters who recognize the violations of gun safety protocols that exist for a reason.
Some violations of safety protocol are the negligent fault of the gun owner not practicing safety protocol, and some of people placing themselves in danger out of ignorance or oblivience to danger, or a bit of both. When I hunt with others I will immediately terminate a hunt if I observe a single infraction of the violation of gun safety protocol, say someone exhibiting a lack of awareness of muzzle direction, walking with a gun loaded with their finger in the guard (safety on or not). I will call anyone out on he infraction, but will pack it in until that person can prove they both understand why I terminated the hunt and can prove to me they can observe gun safety protocol at a 100% level. In the later case, it’s not that difficult to tell, it’s the small things that count.
When carrying CCW, or even open carry, gun safety protocol is critical. Most gun owners are aware of this. Weapon retention and awareness is part of that protocol. How a gun is carried and it’s retention is something most that CC consider important for their and other’s safety. Some holsters and methods of carry aren’t as secure as others and their level of security may be compromised by activity. When selecting a holster, there are four primary considerations I look for in a carry method, in this order, weapon retention in any activity I might engage in, access and speed of draw, as minimal a risk to accidental discharge (trigger snagging... etc.) when carrying...drawing...holstering, and protection of the firearm (sweat, dirt incursion, etc.). It’s a balance, but obviously some things can’t be compromised. I can often tell by looking, which holsters will work by my standards for which carry gun a holster is to be used with, but after buying, any hint of compromise and a holster is either modified or binned. In recent years, I have taken to make my own. In addition, because I once had a gun come free in a cycling accident on a country MtN biking trail (could have been picked up by another had I not realized it, I devised a lanyard system (tested to not impede with gun use) I use for cycling and for a couple guns I use in outdoor activities. That someone would lose their gun unnoticed is not unfathomable, but may be an indication they weren’t trained or cognizant of how well there carry method worked for retention. It is a topic not as well discussed as it should be when choosing to CC. Not relevant, but I intervened the other day when I saw a fellow jack his car, place a couple two by fours on their ends under the axil to hold the front off the ground so he could work under it.... might have worked... then again. Some solutions work better with less risk than others.
But beyond the gun owner’s awareness of the viability of his carry method, few parents these days educate their children with gun safety protocol because they have abdicated education to the state, or lack the knowledge themselves, or because of their own irrational fears... it can result in children with natural curiosity and unfettered consumption and exposure to firearms in the media not having even a minimal practical understanding of gun safety and firearms risk of dangerously excersizing that curiosity. So, when I look at the IKEA incident, there is enough blame to go around, but the greater fault I place with gun owner. For myself, I am always aware of my weapon and note, it’s often a give away others are carrying CC, because of their concern of their weapon, by them shifting their weight or unconsciously touching their hidden weapon when they are out and about. A giveaway, but better than an oops with consequence.
Regarding LE loosing weapons, while guns can certainly be stolen from locked vehicles a crime, I have a little trouble understanding weapons being left any where. I know when I use the public facilities, the whereabouts of my weapon, avoiding dropping it, is always at the fore of my mind.
BTW, I get as many questions, from both men and women, on the best methods/holsters for concealed carry... the best, being different for different people.

 

High death rates? Relative to what? And relative to what causes?

 

International comparison into accidental death rates.

 

No, now, you need to get it straight... that’s the recommended liberal advocated defense against rape.

 

And where do you derive the evidence for that observation?

 

OECD

 

The gun owner is responsible for any damage. He may have had to pay for the couch.

 

Précis mate - learn to precis because I can assure you 90% of posters on any forum are going to give up reading after the first 2-3 lines

 

I would not call 2,000 plus per year rare

 

Unfortunately such is not always a possibility when addressing a difficult, sensitive topic of discussion.

 

It is a skill to continue to practice

 

It may also be a symptom of the ongoing problem, not simply in the united states, but elsewhere in the world. No one wishes to be involved in a lengthy discussion about how to address a serious problem, they simply want quick-fix solutions that can be fit into a soundbyte, that do not require a great deal of thinking on, which sound catch and can easily be repeated, and do not require the public to look inward and consider themselves as being a part of the problem.

 

Please post your source, and no VPC or any other gun control group page. I want govt statistics.

 

90% of the posters on any forum are lazy. Real points can't be made without explanation.

 

What the hell did you pull that number out of??? That's not even CLOSE to being accurate!

Try fewer than 500 for ALL accidents with firearms.

 

Try American Academy of Paediatrics

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/5/e1416.full

 

America has more child deaths than multiple other countries combined

 

So now you're conflating homicides and suicides with accidents, which is "the type of incident mentioned above"?

 

This number has no basis in fact.

 

Nothing here supports your claim that the US sees 2000 incidents per year like that discussed in the OP.

 

This study included the deaths of "youths" as old as 24 years of age. Think there's any agenda there?

 

Noooo..... can't be.....