Lucky Dog

 Updated 3/2017--  all links removed as many are no longer active and it was easier than checking each one.

I have a friend (permission given to share this story and photos)who accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun not long ago. He was in his workshop when it happened. No other family was home. He is well versed in gun safety and is certified for concealed carry. He makes a practice of never leaving a gun loaded. So he assumed that his 9 mm was unloaded when he went to clean it. So he didn't check the chamber. He is one "lucky dog".

He was seen in the ER and found to only have a flesh wound of his right forearm. He had full range of motion of all fingers, wrist, and elbow. There was some tingling in the ulnar nerve distribution, but no intrinsic muscle or flexor carpal ulnaris loss. Pulses were intact and strong. The arm was x-rayed (clean, no nick or bone injury). The wound was cleaned and dressed. He was given a tetanus shot. He was sent home.

Because he is a friend, I took over the wound care. He did daily dressing changes, cleaning the wound with Techni-Care. On the fourth day post-injury, I "freshened" the wound edges and closed the wounds.

He is right handed. He never missed a day of work. He is one "lucky dog"! 1st photo--day after accident; 2nd photo--4th post-injury day; 3rd photo--just after wound closure

This post is not about gunshot wounds. It is about gun safety. First off--NEVER ASSUME. [You know what they say about folks who assume---It makes an ass (of) u (and) me.]

Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area.

Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Know how to use the gun safely. Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Consider taking a class in gun safety.
ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun.
ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
Teach your children gun safety. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program (begun in 1988 by the NRA) teaches children in an easy-to-remember format consisting of the following simple rules:
If you see a gun:

• STOP!
• Don't Touch.
• Leave the Area.
• Tell an Adult.

References
Gun Safety--NRA
Kids and Gun Safety -- FBI