An accidental self-inflicted gunshot that resulted in the death of a Cornelia man has brought the spotlight back to the importance of gun safety.
“We just want to remind everyone that you have to treat every gun as if it’s loaded,” says Joey Terrell, Habersham County Sheriff. “Just like I teach my 11-year-old, you do not point a gun, even a toy gun, at a person. When you let your guard down or get careless; that’s when accidents can happen.”
Eric Daniel, 25, was handling a .38 revolver while at his Locke Road, Cornelia residence on Wednesday evening, Oct 15 when the gun discharged.
Daniel was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Cetner in Gainesville, where he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. the following day, Oct. 16, with Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire listing a gunshot wound to the head as the cause of death.
This was an accident, a tragic accident,” says Terrell. “His (Daniel’s) family did donate his organs, so he could help other people live.”
Data released by the National Safety Council reports that unintentional firearm related fatalities continue to remain at historically low levels, with a 58 percent decline in the number of unintentional firearm-related fatalities has declined by 58 percent in the last two decades – from 1,441 unintentional fatalities in 1991 to 600 in 2011, according to a 2013 NSC report. Firearms are involved in 0.5 percent of all unintentional fatalities in the United States.
As firearms safety education programs have increased, the number of unintentional firearm-related fatalities have decreased, but continued diligence and education is paramount, according to the National Rifle Association, who promotes the following firearm safety rules.
* ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
* ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
* ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
* Know your target and what is beyond
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second.
* Know how to use the gun safely
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun’s mechanical safety device is never foolproof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling.
* Be sure the gun is safe to operate
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun’s general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun’s ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it.
* Use only the correct ammunition for your gun
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition.
* Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators.
* Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns.
* Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person’s particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available. However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules.
* Cleaning
Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate correctly and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life. Your gun should be cleaned every time that it is used. A gun brought out of prolonged storage should also be cleaned before shooting. Accumulated moisture and dirt, or solidified grease and oil, can prevent the gun from operating properly.
Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun’s action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.
