Rick from the South Florida Daily Blog sent me this link regarding a negligent shooting. I found out this other site that provides a bit more information that will come handy for examination purposes. By the way Rick, for myself and I am sure I speak for the rest of the gun bloggers, we are very happy you are willing to learn and expand your knowledge and we will be always happy to help you.
OK, let’s summarize the facts of the case. Quoting from the second link:
He heard some noises coming from the first floor,” Miami-Dade police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said. “As he walked downstairs, he armed himself with a firearm, and at that point is when he turned the corner, met face to face and pulled the trigger and shot.”
A quick review of the Four Rules and also so Rick gets to know them:
1) All Guns are Always Loaded.
2) Never Aim The Gun at Anything You Are Not Willing to Destroy.
3) Keep You Finger Off The Trigger Until You Are Ready To Shoot.
4) Be Aware Of Your Target and What Is Behind It.
Top of my head, Hubby screwed with Rules 2, 3 and 4 which is always a very bad combination. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Violation of Rule 2: Hubby was on the move. He probably was doing his best Hollywood gun stance as he was going downstairs, that means muzzle facing forward and probably arms fully extended. I am a fan of the Compressed Ready Position as it gives up very little control, it is easier to maintain in a long run and does not have the muzzle outright forward following the line of movement but the gun can be brought to eye level on a swift punching motion.
Violation of Rule 3: At a basic level, we are still predatory monkeys that react a certain way when faced against a perceived threat. The Fight/Flight/Fright combo makes our bodies react by reducing our size (crouching), protecting our body’s main locations (Chest/Head) and by creating the most fundamental of weapons: a fist. That means we unconsciously and forcefully close our fingers which tends to be a bad thing when one of them is resting over the trigger. Referring again to the picture above, the finger must be outside the trigger guard and preferably alongside the frame of the gun. It is very probable that hubby’s sudden face to face with the wife was surprising and scary enough to provoke a basic reaction and the booger hook activated the bang stick.
Violation Rule 4: It is obvious that target identification was not achieved. Unless there is some other story not told, Hubby failed miserably in this matter and I am sure long weeks of dog house are in his future. Illumination could have also been the problem. A good tactical flashlight is necessary and must be with your weapon or on your weapon for low light or no light situations. Training with this item is simple so it shouldn’t be a big problem to be at least well versed with a little practice.
No matter what, You Do Not Shoot What You Have Not Identified As A Threat.
I wanted to go on with Slicing The Pie and Fatal Funnel, but the post is getting long enough. For the uninitiated, Slicing the Pie is basically Extreme Hide & Seek “played” while doing a house clearing. House clearings must be done by individuals only under exigent circumstances such as saving a family member from immediate danger or remaining on the original position becoming too hazardous. Other than that I am a firm believer in ensconcing, pulling out home artillery and let the idiots come to you.
Feel free to add your two centavos in the comments section. And I would like to thank Rick from bringing a case that teaches us the importance of following the Four Rules.
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