[W. Clark Aposhian]

A 5-year-old boy died Saturday in Garfield County in what the Sheriff's Office said was an accidental shooting. The child and his family were target shooting near Lower Bounds Reservoir. About 1 p.m., the boy was handling a .22-caliber rifle when he tripped and the gun discharged, according to the Garfield County Sheriff's Office. The office did not release the boy's name or further information on Saturday.

This appeared in the SL Trib today.
I can't help but be skeptical in that a 5 yr old walking/tripping with a rifle and shoots himself? I could almost see it with a pistol but a rifle?

What think the group?

 

[heavykevy]

First of all, I personally see this as carelessness by the parent. However, I do not know the complete details. I have no problem with letting a mature-enough (firearm safety trained prior to leaving the house) 5-yearold shoot a .22LR from a benchrest or while standing as long as I am sitting or standing on the weak side to immediately provide assistance or proper firearm technique/safety.

I would not ever let a small child wander around carrying a loaded firearm. As far as shooting himself with a rifle, I can only picture carrying the gun on the shoulder or with two hands across the chest then falling and possibly have the muzzle pointed at him.

It is kind of hard to think of such a small child getting into a position with a rifle for an accidental discharge that would hit him though. Possibly it was just a freak incident; child trips gun flies from his hands, gun hits rock and fire pin strikes loaded cartridge? Possibly a faulty or poorly-cared for gun that easily discharges? Not sure, but my heart does go out to the family; something hopefully none of us have to experience.

 

[Udink]

I agree that the physics of such an accident seem unlikely, however I do believe it's at least plausible that it might have occurred like the parents say. Until I hear more facts about the accident (type of rifle, where the boy was hit, etc.), I wouldn't even speculate on it.

There is quite a bit of discussion on the KSL comment boards about the accident.