The Rare Occurrence of Accidental Gun Discharges in Public

Accidental gun discharges, also referred to as negligent discharges, occur when firearm safety rules are ignored, leading to the firearm going off. These incidents can happen in various settings, but how often do they occur in public?

Accidental Discharge Doctrine

Let us first address the definition of an accidental discharge. The concept of a negligent discharge applies to any instance where a person disregards one or more of the five fundamental firearms safety rules, resulting in the firearm unexpectedly firing. These rules are simple but crucial: Always treat a firearm as if it were loaded. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to damage or shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target and you decide to shoot. Be aware of your backstop or target in order to ensure that bullet or shot goes where it is intended to go. Know your firearm and how it functions.

Public vs. Private Context

When discussing the occurrence of accidental discharges in public, it is important to clarify what constitutes a "public" setting. Most results from online searches tend to focus on military settings, typically within military bases or combat zones. Surprisingly, very few reliable public statistics are available for non-military contexts. A quick Google search revealed that the number of accidental gun discharges in public varies. According to one source, an average of 688.5 incidents occurred each year over a ten-year period. Another source reported a slightly lower average of 430 incidents per year.

Using the higher number, we can extrapolate that around 158 incidents were recorded annually. With an estimated 100 million firearm owners and approximately 15 million concealed carry permit holders in the United States, the likelihood of an accidental discharge among concealed carry holders in public is extremely low. For example, even if non-fatal incidents were 100 times more frequent, the risk would still be minimal, roughly 1 in 1000.

Personal Experience and Lessons Learned

It is essential to share personal experiences to better illustrate the rarity of these incidents. One such experience occurred when the author was around 14 years old, around 1977. During a range session with his father, a Smith Wesson .38 revolvers with a hammer guard, Model 638, was used. The author's thumb was not securely placed on the hammer, causing it to slip unintentionally, and the weapon fired. Fortunately, the firearm was pointed safely in the direction of the range, preventing any harm.

In the decades since, the author has fired hundreds of thousands of rounds without any unintended discharge. This personal experience underscores the importance of adhering to the fundamental safety rules of gun handling.

Rare and Unreported Incidents

Accidental discharges in public are indeed rare, but they are more frequent in private settings such as homes, vehicles, and hunting grounds. It is important to note that unless there is a wound, such incidents may go unreported. Unless a firearm is defective, it will not fire itself. Human error, rather than mechanical failure, is typically the cause.

Conclusion

While accidental gun discharges in public are rare, it is crucial for all firearm owners to follow safety guidelines diligently. By doing so, the risk of any accidental discharge can be significantly reduced. Remember, the concept of a negligent discharge exists to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.