There are many homes in the US with a firearm. Access to guns raises the risk of gun-related accidents, which could result in injury or death.
Irresponsible behavior can result in a serious gun accident, violence, wrongful death, mass shooting, and even suicide. We believe the prioritizing of firearm safety can minimize this.
What is a Firearm Injury?
A firearm injury is a wound made by a gunshot. More precisely, it can be described as a penetrating injury caused by a weapon that fired a projectile using a powder charge. These include physical damage from handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
Wounds caused by a BB, pellet, or air and gas-powered guns aren’t regarded as firearm injuries.
It’s recorded that more than 230 people sustain a non-fatal firearm injury per day in the US. In the state of Florida, this count is 4270 in a year.
Approximately 2000 people worldwide are injured due to firearm violence. There are also almost 2 million around the globe living with injuries from gunshots.
The following are a few examples of gun violence:
- Mass shootings
- School shootings
- Suicides
- Homicides
- Armed Robbery
- Domestic violence
Common Causes of Firearm Injury and Accidents
Guns are dangerous weapons and can result in unnecessary injuries or deaths when not managed or used correctly.
- Improper handling can cause a preventable accident. It’s irresponsible to mismanage a firearm. Proper cleaning, storing, and correct use can prevent accidents.
- Incorrect maintenance or adjustments: a firearm should be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure it operates correctly and safely, or an otherwise preventable injury or death can occur.
- Poor workmanship or a defective firearm may cause a gun to malfunction due to a manufacturing flaw.
- Unsecured firearms can cause a fatal accident when an inexperienced person can access them. It should be in a secured storage place and relevant safety mechanisms put in place.
- Unsupervised minors: In America, many kids live in a home with an unlocked gun. This is a recipe for disaster if these minors aren’t supervised.
The most common types of firearm injuries are:
- An intentional self-inflicted gunshot wound is a popular method of attempted suicide. These injuries are almost always fatal.
- Unintentional firearm injuries may be either inflicted by someone else or by the person. These accidents can occur from hunting or not knowing that the weapon is loaded. Fatalities from these incidents are usually minimal.
- Legal intervention injuries are caused by the police or any other law enforcement personnel intervening in a situation. These fatalities are, like those of unintentional firearm injury, minimal.
- Undetermined intent refers to a situation where there’s insufficient information to determine the cause of injury. The majority of these situations are non-fatal.
Consequences of Firearm Injury
Many people hospitalized with gunshot related injuries have to live with the consequences, such as physical disabilities and mental health problems resulting from the post-traumatic stress disorder.
The financial impact related to these incidents is enormous. It could result in loss of income due to the injury and high medical bills for long-term care.
The effects of these events extend beyond the victims and their families. Gun violence in the community can result in a state of fear. Fear can prevent people from going about their normal daily activities.
A victim of a gunshot injury can bring a civil lawsuit against the shooter. In these cases, the settlement is usually monetary.
The guilty party can also face criminal charges and even jail time. Both cases are based on the circumstances in which the injury occurred.
It’s unlawful for a person to be in possession of a firearm if they’re a felon or a delinquent.
The sentencing for negligence in handling firearms falls under the 10-20-Life Statute:
- A ten-year prison sentence when the accused is armed and is a felon.
- A twenty-year sentence for firing a firearm.
- If someone is killed or injured, twenty-five years to life.
- A three-year prison jail time for Possession of a Gun by a Convicted Felon.
- The prison sentences are to run continuously (after) with any other sentence.
If you have been injured by recklessness or if you face criminal charges, consult an experienced lawyer from Flcrimedefense to help you with your case.
Firearm Safety Rules
A few precautions can lower the chances of a gun-related accident. Ways to prevent gun violence include:
- When handling a firearm, treat it as if it’s loaded. Always assume that the gun you’re holding can harm you. Don’t point it at anyone. Keep your finger off the trigger.
- Take an appropriate training course to teach you how to handle a weapon.
- Ensure that you are using the correct ammunition.
- When the gun’s safety is on, please don’t assume it’s safe. Handle it as if it’ll discharge at any time.
- Firearms should be stored away safely in a gun safe or with a trigger lock.
- Teach your child to stay clear of any firearms.
- Wear the appropriate eye and ear protection when using or cleaning a gun.
How can we prevent gun violence? If you observe anyone being negligent with a firearm, you can rightfully insist that they handle it more safely.
In Florida, the sale, possession, and use of guns and ammunition are regulated.
According to the Florida Statutes, Section 790.174, a loaded firearm in a home must be stored in a locked container or safely secured with a trigger lock if an owner reasonably knows that access can be gained by a child under the age of 16. This is how to prevent gun violence. Violating this law is a misdemeanor.
Consult with a Criminal Law Attorney
Health and safety should be the first step in the case of an injury or fatality resulting from a firearm incident. After that, consult an experienced criminal law attorney to assist you with making the best decision on how to proceed. This helps with relieving the injured party of the immense legal burden of proof.
Irrespective of the details surrounding your gun injury case, whether a careless person injured you or you’re facing a criminal offense, attorneys from Florida Crime Defense look forward to assisting you.
PRO Tip:
“Your safety and that of others depend on you always securing and storing your firearm in a manner that prevents access. Don’t leave a firearm unattended unless it is unloaded and locked away.”
Preventing Deaths with Firearm Safety FAQs
How does the Florida CCW reciprocity work?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
The CCW reciprocity agreements allow people with legal permits from Florida to use their privileges on states where Florida has existing agreements. This also means that Florida should recognize concealed carry weapons whose permits are legal and were issued by other states. Currently, Florida CCW reciprocity recognizes 37 states.
How often should a firearm be cleaned to keep it in top condition?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
Clean it after every use.
If I use a gun in self-defense, am I subject to any charges?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
With traditional defense laws, a person who’s being attacked or who feels threatened must act reasonably. If possible, they should also retreat without physical activity and use a reasonable amount of force necessary to ward off the attacker.
Is it still my liability if someone uses my gun without my permission?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
Depending on the state, they may impose a minor penalty if you knew the person was a felon. Not knowing that they’re a felon might result in you avoiding penalties. Other states may hold you liable irrespective if you knew or not.
What conditions allow a person to practice open carry in Florida?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
There is a law in Florida where residents and non-residents in the state are allowed to practice open carry given that they meet certain conditions — if they are traveling to or engaged in camping, if they are engaged in fishing, if they are going hunting, if they are engaged in lawful target shooting, or if they are involved in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms
What places are off-limits for concealed carry in Florida?
Category: PREVENTING DEATHS WITH FIREARM SAFETY
Some of the places where people with their Florida CCW are prohibited include schools, colleges, universities, jails, prisons, detention centers, bars, courthouses or courtrooms, polling places, and any police, sheriff, or highway patrol stations. This is enforced to prevent people from harming the people in these areas.