~ Jon James
This is horrifying and I hope and pray this young man makes a complete recovery.
Two teenagers witnessed a shooting in Sabattus after an 18-year-old accidentally fired a handgun while handling it, leaving himself with serious injuries.
According to police, the young man was holding a .357 pistol he believed was unloaded when he brought it close to his face and pulled the trigger. The gun discharged, causing what investigators described as catastrophic injuries.
Despite the severity of his injuries, the teen is expected to survive.
Sabattus police said the incident is still under investigation and that no further details are being released at this time.
This incident gives me pause to wonder why teaching young people about gun safety isn’t part of our school curriculum in Maine, a state where hunting is a big part of our lifestyle and where permitless concealed carry is the law. It’s not a subject that should be taboo. It’s something that can be easily taught in a few classes and remembered forever.
One of the big four safetey rules for handling guns, according to the Firearm Industry Trade Association, is treat all guns as though they are loaded.
Could having this rule top of mind have stopped this incident? Maybe or maybe not. But it inarguably puts a little useful education into a preson’s memory that could prevent an accident.
I don’t say this to be preachy, I say this because I care and I, as a law-abiding gun owner, know that rescpect for the tool can go along way toward preventing unwanted outcomes.
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