WARNING: It could happen to YOU!

[lildobe]

I've been handling guns since my first Hunters Safety Course in 1988. 20 years ago. I've owned .22 rifles, a lovely Winchester 30-30 and recently my Glock 22 (.40) my KelTec P32 and my Mossberg 500a.

In the past 20 years I've never had a Negligent Discharge. Ever. Until Tonight.

This is incredibly embarrassing to admit. But I feel I need to warn everyone... it doesn't matter how much experience you have, a N.D. could happen to you!

No one was hurt, aside from the bruising my own ego took, a destroyed Network Switch, Cell phone and a hole in my desk and wall.

They say that the two loudest sounds are a "Click" that should have gone "Bang"; and a "Bang" that should have gone "Click." - Never have truer words been spoken.

So I leave you with pictures of the aftermath, and I implore you: Please, PLEASE be vigilant about checking the chamber and magazine of your firearms before you handle them!

http://www.lildobe.net/guns/view.php?sid=Misc&cid=12_Gauge_Shotgun_Negligent_Discharge

[VegasGeorge]

Lildobe, you are one lucky dude! An (almost) freebe boo-boo with a shotgun! If I were you, I'd go out and buy a lottery ticket at once.

I wasn't there, of course, but I'll bet complacency played some part in what happened. To be safe, we need to have a beginner's fear of the firearm, coupled with the experienced shooter's knowledge of proper safety procedures. Without the fear, gun handling becomes routine, and eventually unsafe.

Anyway, I'm very glad that you and yours are still with us and unharmed.

[Bill of Rights]

Well, I'm not sure about the lottery ticket-I think you used up all your luck for the day today, however I echo George's thought regarding being happy you were able to make this post to tell us about it, and no other living (or formerly living!) casualties either.

We all know the Four Rules by heart, but I'd wager to say that the reason you likely had to change your britches tonight had to do with the rules I saw a while back:

Keep your finger off the trigger.
Keep your finger OFF the trigger.
Keep your @$*#%@# finger off the @#%@%#%!$!@$% trigger!!!

Nonetheless, changing your pants is certainly preferable to what might have happened. Just look up and say, "Thank you!" would be my advice.

Blessings,
B