Articles Posted in Gun & Firearm Safety and Injuries

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By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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In Georgia and other States, teens engage in hunting activities. During most hunting trips or activities, there are no problems or injuries. Unfortunately, at times, an errant shot is fired and results in a serious personal injury and, in some cases, death to a hunter or bystander. A hunting accident was reported in Fulton County, Florida. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that a teen was accidentally shot when his gun discharged while he was hunting squirrels with his brother. The teenagers were hunting with .22-caliber rifles. The gun went off when the gun hit the ground and then hit the teen in the face/cheek. It appears that the teen will recover from these hunting related injuries. See Teen Shot While Hunting with Brother in Fulton County, Florida.

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By Will Brown, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Ohio.jpgAn unfortunate incident recently took place at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio). It was reported that Everette Howard, an 18 year old student, died as a result of injuries sustained by a Taser gun used by campus police. It was reported that Everette was attempting to break up a fight at the time. It is expected that a full investigation will be completed and then be summarized in a written report since a death resulted from this incident. There appeared to be several witnesses to the incident. The use of force by a police officer is permitted under certain circumstances. In particular, if the health safety and welfare of the police office and / or others are put at risks – force is often times utilized. There are particular policies and procedures in place for each police department as to the use of force including the use of Taser guns. The incident will be reviewed to determine if protocols and criteria were met with respect to the facts and circumstances of this incident.

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By Scott Marks, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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A BB gun, also known as a pellet gun, can cause substantial bodily injury and even death. According to statistics, about four people are actually killed each year by BB guns. These guns are often considered a “toy,” but have similar features to a common hand gun; they have muzzle velocities higher than 350 feet per second. That means that the gun shoots the pellet at 350 feet per second, which is not much of a difference compared to a hand gun that has a muzzle velocity of 800 feet per second.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that children under the age of 16 should not own and operate such a gun. But, if they do, they should follow a few safety tips. First, children should never point a BB gun at anyone, whether it is loaded or not. Second, the BB gun should always be on safety until it is ready to be used. In addition, children should never carry your BB gun in public places because it may be mistaken for a real gun. Lastly, unload the gun when it is not in use.

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By David Wolf, Attorney Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gun violence claims over 30,000 lives per year. For every person who dies from a gunshot wound, two others are wounded. In addition to those who are killed or injured, there are countless others whose lives are changed forever by the deaths and injuries of their loved ones.

A devastating example of gun violence occurred on the 500 block of South Eighth Street in Louisville, Kentucky. A three-year-old boy, Davion Powell was shot Friday night at a Louisville apartment complex. According to the investigators, an argument between residents broke out and escalated into gunfire around 11 p.m. The boy was shot during crossfire. Powell was in critical condition when he was taken to Kosair Children’s Hospital, and sadly he died Monday afternoon.

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By Robert Chaiken, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Three elementary school students were injured after a loaded pistol, which was brought to the school by a 6-year-old boy, accidentally discharged at Betsy Ross Elementary School in Central Houston, Texas. The children’s injuries were said to be non-life threatening. However, each kid was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. According to police, it is unclear how the boy obtained the gun or who owns the firearm. The 6-year-old who brought the weapon to school sustained personal injuries to his leg by what officials think was a bullet. The other children, a male and female, both 5-years-old, appeared to have been hit by flying debris or shrapnel. None of the children were identified. The incident happened in the cafeteria, apparently the loaded pistol fell out of the boy’s pocket as he went to sit down. For more read 3 kindergarten students wounded after boy brings gun to Houston elementary school.

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By Robert Fernicola, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

gun%20handgun%20firearm%20double%20barrel%20silver.jpgA teenager was critically wounded after he was shot in the chest at a Gloucester City, New Jersey playground. Camden County police were called to the playground around midnight to break up a fight that had broke out. Police were called back to the scene just 45 minutes after their first arrival, because an 18-year-old had been shot in the chest. Neighbors near playground say the location is a popular place for teenagers to hangout and fight. One neighbor estimated about 10 to 15 fights occur at the playground weekly. The victim was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. As time of the release of the following news story, no arrests have been made. For more read 18-year-old critically shot in chest at New Jersey playground. Firearms are considerably dangerous, and often times deadly, weapons. These lethal weapons should be kept out a minor’s possession by all means necessary.

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By Thomas Hastings, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

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Chance Jackson, a 15-year-old student, was transported by air ambulance to Methodist Hospital where he underwent surgery after he was shot at his school, West Middle School in Martinsville, Indiana. Students were put on lockdown for nearly 5 hours following the shooting. Approximately 600 students attend the school. The suspect, who was a student that attended the middle school, has been taken into custody but was not arrested. The suspect’s name, age and grade was not released as part of the initial news reporting of this incident. According to police, the suspect walked away from the middle school after the shooting around 7:30 a.m. He was eventually apprehended several miles away. Police, who traced the boy’s path, found a handgun in a wooded hillside. The suspect and other witnesses will be questioned and the investigation is ongoing. It is rumored that school officials were previous warned that violence might occur. However, Martinsville West principal Suzie Lipps denied those allegations. If arrested, the suspect will face attempted murder charge. Since the investigation is ongoing, the filing of criminal charges will depend on the evidence obtained and the decision by the local prosecutor’s office. For more read Student shot at West Middle School in Martinsville, Indiana.

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By David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

gun%20handgun%20firearm%20double%20barrel%20silver.jpgAn 8-year-old boy was accidentally shot by his 17-year-old uncle in a supposedly innocent game of cops-and-robbers. The incident occurred in a gated, mobile home community located in Bernalillo County of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Initially the 17-year-old told police that the child accidentally shot himself. Eventually, the uncle came clean explaining to police he, his nephew and a few other minors were playing a game of cops-and-robbers when the gun accidentally went off and shot his nephew in the stomach. The boy was taken to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque where he was rushed into surgery. Deputies stated the doctors expected the boy to live. The 17-year-old was taken into custody and could potentially face some serious criminal charges. Not only the the uncle initially lie to police but he also told the other minors who witnessed the incident to say the boy accidentally shot himself. The 17-year-old also went as far as to hide the gun and shell casing. The range of charges the uncle could face include child abuse, intimidating a witness and tampering with evidence. When the uncle was questioned about where he got the gun, he answered off the streets. If the gun was stolen, he could face additional charges. According to police, no parents were home when the incident occurred.

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By Scott A. Marks, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

gun%20handgun%20with%20two%20bullets.jpgIn California and other States, law enforcement officers often times send out public safety announcements. One issue that is often addresses in these public safety announcements is gun safety. Kern County California Sheriff Donny Youngblood recently spoke about gun safety and the tragic scenes that his police officers respond to. Namely, responding to a scene in which a child is shot “tugs at your heart” according to Youngblood.

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By Jay Foster, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney

Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

State%20Map%20Mississippi.jpgUnfortunately Mississippi has been ranked as the State with the highest rate of child deaths in the nation. This is a distinction or ranking that no State would ever relish or want. The Child Death Review Panel for the Mississippi Department of Health has a mission to study the death rates, causes of death, and work to reduce these numbers or statistics. Each year, the Mississippi Child Death Review Panel studies these very important issues and then makes recommendations in hopes of preventing deaths to Mississippi children from causes or dangers that can be removed or lessened through the work and efforts of parents, care givers, driver, and health care providers. See Reporting and Bringing Down Child Death Rate in Mississippi. The various causes of death to children in the State of Mississippi included the following:

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