"accident" shouldn't exist as a word around firearms?

[45R]

"Accident" is used instead of negligence because some people have a problem admitting they were the ones at fault and not the gun.

 

[Bob Locke]

To me, an accident occurs when something happens that is
beyond the control or influence of the person or people involved.

Negligence is the general cause of most mishaps, however, and not only those involving firearms.

And as stated previously, the term "accident" is generally applied to absolve the responsible, negligent party from taking responsibility for that negligence. It is this sort of avoidance of accountability that is helping bring down this country. And if we as gun owners, who are among the most responsible people in this society, join right in, then who's gonna stand up?

 

[EJ]

tools-

Unfortunately firearms are simply tools--
Tools that are sometimes//often used as/by hobbyists --

Berating the fact that virtually all "accidents"with firearms are negligence percipitated just hurts the cause--

If an idiot gets him/herself or his/her kid killed with a power tool/chainsaw-- the media allows for a TRAGIC accident--

Let's not take the acident concept away from ourselves and our profession or hobby--
whether or not negligence is evidently involved--

The media and public is all too quick and ready to vilify the firearm and firearm owner--

 

[GD]

Gee whiz guys - words have meanings but I think the word accident still belongs in the dictionary!
Every accident has events which lead up to the accident. Even though those events may involve negligence - IT WAS STILL AN ACCIDENT! if it was not intended.

 

[Bob Locke]

Even though those events may involve negligence - IT WAS STILL AN ACCIDENT! if it was not intended.

So if I cock my pistol, point it at your head, and hold back the hammer with my thumb, it's just an "accident" if my thumb slips (unintentionally, of course) and you end up dead?

 

[45R]

That would be PURE Negligence

 

[MrAcheson]

Negligence is a cause of accidents. It is entirely possible for a discharge to be both accidental and negligent. Very few accidents are purely random and most involve negligence on someones part. However that does not stop the accident from being an accident. Unfortunately using the word "accident" automatically invokes some sort of denial of blame. This is wrong and should be avoided. Accidents still have causes and it is with those causes and individuals that blame should be placed.

The reason the ND language is so favored is because it makes the gun seem harmless and the people bad. The truth is guns are dangerous objects, useful but dangerous. They have much more potential for harm than many other things. I've never seen a ten commandments of ballpoint pen handling for instance.

 

[Hardtarget]

Today, 1/31/03, downtown Nashville,Tn., a security guard was showing his Glock to a hotdog vendor on the corner. Finger MUST have been on the trigger...he shot a man in the leg.The victim was across the street and there were dozens of other people standing/walking in the area. Its a wonder someone wasn't killed.
No doubt someone need a refresher on some safty rules!
Mark.