Are you seeing an increase in reports of NDs in your area?

[gossamer]

My wife and I were talking about how we've seen a pretty marked increase in NDs reported in the last few weeks. A 3-year-old was shot last evening with a gun that was supposedly going to be cleaned or being cleaned (unclear yet).

We were wondering aloud whether it's that the news is reporting more of these because "guns are the focus" now.

Or, another plausible explanation is that more people are buying guns who never owned them and these folks just bought a gun and didn't bother to fully implement all the relevant safety precautions.

May never know the reason for the increase in reporting, and I suppose we'll have to wait to read if there's a statistical increase in NDs that is or is not relative to the number of firearms.

Just wondering if other folks here are seeing any increase in reports?

They don't help the cause of protecting RKBA.

 

[statelineblues]

Haven't seen any ND reports on the news lately, but I have seen an increase in the reporting of every shooting incident - more often when it involves an "innocent victim"; not so much when couple of criminals blast away at each other...

 

[MedWheeler]

I've noticed an increase in both AD/ND reports, and in reports of shooting or gun-use incidents overall, with one significant exception: reports on the lawful use of firearms in defensive roles.

A police officer in my area had an unintended discharge a couple of days ago while re-holstering his sidearm, at the range, I believe.

I'm guessing the reason for the increase in AD/ND-reports is for both the reasons offered above; the increase in the number of previously-inexperienced gun owners, and in the fact that the media is likely scanning for any tidbit of gun-mention in reports overall to pounce on. Many of the stories I've read as of late are of types that would previously have gotten little, if any, coverage.

 

[Godsgunman]

Gossamer,
You must live in the KC area. Even though Kansas and Missouri are pretty solid pro gun states our media is still very left on pretty much everything and I think they've made it a point to report on every gun related incident they come across. I think thats why we've been hearing about them more frequently, especially in our area.
Also I think you are right with saying that the instances are increasing because of new inexperienced gunowners also. I just believe it wouldnt be news worthy if there wasn't an agenda behind it. Very sad though especially when little ones are involved. I have 2 little ones myself and guns a always locked up if not on my person and in its holster.

 

[pezo]

Note the location of them. Not to long ago my radio show stopped a program for a "breaking news" event. An armed man walked into a New Jersey police station and was arrested. I am located in Michigan. I've never stepped foot in jersey and probably never will if I can help it. And being close to Detroit how this story was so breaking compared to the norm I can only expect magnifying of gun crimes for an agenda.

 

[gossamer]

Note the location of them.

They have all been within a 20-minute drive of my house. (not sure the point you're making here?)

 

[mrvco]

Not here, but when your revenue is generated by advertising based on ratings... no attention-grabbing news is bad news, so you either sensationalize what you have or bring it from somewhere else and try to make it sound pertinent (or a combination of both).

 

[gossamer]

Gossamer,
You must live in the KC area. Even though Kansas and Missouri are pretty solid pro gun states our media is still very left on pretty much everything and I think they've made it a point to report on every gun related incident they come across. I think thats why we've been hearing about them more frequently, especially in our area.
Also I think you are right with saying that the instances are increasing because of new inexperienced gunowners also. I just believe it wouldnt be news worthy if there wasn't an agenda behind it. Very sad though especially when little ones are involved. I have 2 little ones myself and guns a always locked up if not on my person and in its holster.

My guess is it's a little bit of both. Honestly, I know enough people in the local media business that don't put it down to a bias towards anything but dollars. Guns are a hot topic, stories with a gun lede attract viewers. Viewers attract advertisers. Advertisers bring dollars.

 

[U-235]

I've noticed it too, I think it is a combination of things some of which others have already mentioned:

1. The media is extremely sensitive to anything firearms related and things that may have not been reported on in the past now make the front page or the evening news
2. Lots of new gun owners who lack familiarity with firearms and firearms safety
3. Maybe people who own guns but haven't handled them or shot them for many years are now pulling them out again there is a lack of familiarity.

Two close friends of mine have bought their first firearm in the past couple of months.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I have heard of two, and normally hear of none. Both were from new shooters that bought their firearms fearing they might never be able to own them later.