Self-Defense
vs.
Negligent Discharge

Every negligent discharge is a result of someone violating the four rules of gun safety:

• 1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
• 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you're not willing to destroy.
• 3. Keep your finger off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard until you intend to fire.
• 4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

These rules are fundamental and must be followed WITHOUT EXCEPTION! This article isn't about the rules of gun safety. Instead, it's a look into the events that typically follow a (claimed) negligent discharge where injury or death has occurred.

Defending Yourself

We arm ourselves against the possibility of finding ourselves in a situation where we may be forced to defend ourselves, our loved ones or even a total stranger against a deranged person intent on causing harm to others. It could be that we've interrupted an armed robbery, or it could be someone who has decided to go on a killing rampage with a mass-shooting event. We've trained how to respond to the threat. Few of us, however, have thought through the legal ramifications that come into play afterward. .....