What are four main causes of firearm incidents?

Answer 1

Lack of Knowledge, If you exercise your 2nd amendment, you have a right to do so, however you also have a duty to understand what you're doing. To simply buy a weapon, just to have one; is not a responsible use of your rights. Get proper training by either a training school or someone who is knowledgeable and reasonable.

Irresponsibility: A firearm is a tool. No matter why you have one, to protect yourself or property, to hunt and provide food for your family or just to enjoy our American heritage and your Right. You have a duty and responsibility to yourself and others to tend to all safety measures. You must assure no one gets hurt due to Irresponsibility or sloppiness. Far too many hunters will shoot at sound. This is so dangerous. A man in Memphis TN was turkey hunting with a friend. The friend was clucking and making sounds to attract a bird. His friend made a stupid irrational decision to shoot into the brush without seeing the bird. The hunter shot his friend and blinded him for life.

Apathy: Many accidents happen due to apathy. Even though your firearm is secured, that doesn't mean a clever child won't find a way to play with-it. Far too many accidents happen when someone takes a gun they feel are secured and plays with it. Then a death occurs because a bullet was left in the chamber. Although this falls into Irresponsibility, it is really laziness not to open your chamber to double check and overlook anything. The cost of life is irreversible.

Fault, due to others: This is a tough one for people to understand. The best example is during hunting season. Hunters are carrying guns and muzzleloaders. These are powerful weapons. We as hunters have a duty to be in blaze orange to protect other hunters. People who have adjoining property to hunting areas should always wear hunter's blaze orange during hunting season. It is so important. I feel States should adopted laws requiring people all people to wear blaze orange for safety during hunting season. People, who do not hunt, die during hunting season every year in every state. Hunters should never lift their weapons unless the SEE the animal they are hunting. Nonetheless they shoot at sound; shadows and running animals so take great care and responsibility for yourself and those you love.

Safety is in numbers. If you score high in safety, everyone wins.