Letter sent (and published) to Nashua (NH) Telegraph newspaper after
factually incorrect assertions about firearms....
--- Mitchell McConnell
Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2001 16:51:37 -0800 (PST)
From: Mitchell McConnell
Reply-to: m.mcconnell@computer.org
Subject: Re: 2 children injured in shooting at home (3/14/01)
To: Nashua Telegraph
The news article about the accidental shooting in New Ipswich makes a common,
though unfortunate, mistake in stating that "the gun discharged
accidentally". Informed people know that there are no
"accidental" discharges, only negligent ones.
It is reasonable to describe the fact of the shooting as accidental, but not
the discharge of the gun. Modern guns are almost impossible to cause to fire
without consciously putting one's finger on the trigger and pulling it.
Finally, all children should be taught the fundamental firearms safety rules:
1.Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2.Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3.Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
The Telegraph would do its readers a service by publicizing these regularly.
Mitchell J. McConnell
P.O. Box 609
Brookline, NH 03033
Work: 978-691-6488
Home: 603-672-7608
