The 'own up' part was taken from Field and Stream? You obviously agree with them. That's apparent from your other comments on this thread. 'Thanks' for the non-answer.
In your previous post, you intimated that I've said this was something other than a 'mistake.' I haven't, and you can't point to anything where I have. But the 'mistake' doesn't mean there isn't fault involved - most traffic accidents are 'mistakes', after all, as few people mean to run into someone else. Nevertheless, it usually happens because someone has violated the rules of the road. The VP fired his weapon in the direction of a fellow hunter. That is always a violation of safe gun handling rules.
So what should he do? He should say so, rather than having surrogates say he didn't do anything wrong.
Oh, and Peach - I know you want to keep talking about Matalin not being officially employed by the office of the VP, but interviews with her show that the VP spoke with her on Sunday morning - prior to communicating with most others who would be in the official chain. And on Sunday she was speaking to the press about the incident. If you want to believe that is coincidental, that's fine. I don't.