Posted on 08/19/2008 9:00:18 AM PDT by WilliamReading
A 23-year-old man's attempt to show his girlfriend a pistol ended in tragedy Monday night when the gun fired, killing her, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
Averyell Davis, 23, was shot in the abdomen after the handgun her boyfriend was handling went off, said sheriff's spokesman Col. John Fortunato. Curtis C. Murray has been arrested and booked with one count of negligent homicide.
The couple were in the living room of their home in the 500 block of Behrman Highway in Gretna at about 10:15 p.m. when the gun discharged, Fortunato said. Authorities did not specify what caused the gun to fire.
Emergency responders arrived at the couple's home, where Davis' mother met them and told them that her daughter was shot inside the home.
In the living room, they found Davis lying on the floor with a wounded abdomen.
Responders transported her to Ochsner Medical Center, and on the way there, she told authorities that her boyfriend accidentally shot her, according to Fortunato.
Davis died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Lt. Don English, the homicide detective handling the case, later booked Murray with the criminal charge at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
Even though the victim claimed it was an accident, "our investigation showed negligence on (Murray's) part, and that's why he was charged," Fortunato said.
Negligent homicide defendants can face up to 5 years in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both, according to state law.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
Yet another “gun just WENT OFF” story, I see. There should be some sort of fine for such sloppy journalism.
Cars don’t just start. TV’s don’t just “turn on”. Why do guns just “go off”?
Always keep the gun pointed in a safe directionAlways keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use
Better still, REQUIRE everyone to have a gun, AND train them on how to use it. That would probably be the closest thing to what the founders called a “well regulated militia.”
Because owning a firearm is a right under the Constitution. Driving an automobile on public roads is a privilege, though you may note that one does not need to have a drivers license or take any kind of test to drive on private property.
Broad brush including 'all gun owners', don't you think? What criteria would you use?
Your 'common sense' sounds a lot like the anti-gunners.
That’s why it’s called “negligent” homicide. There is such a thing as negligence. If I go out and get hammered at the bar, and then accidentally cross over the center line while driving, initiate a head-on collision resulting in someone’s death, then I am negligent. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to kill anyone. But my negligence was such that I am criminally liable. I think the same thing applies here. Anyway, a jury will decide. That’s fair enough.
I'm guessing that a finger on the trigger, plus the gun being loaded, had something to do with it.
LOL! Anybody ever see the video of the guy demonstrating gun safety and shooting himself in the leg? It’s a riot.
“Because owning a firearm is a right under the Constitution.”
Then you surely agree that felons and the insane have a right to own guns.
Where in the Constitution does it say that people who are mentally ill and delusional don’t have the right to own guns?
“when the gun fired” ... “after the handgun her boyfriend was handling went off”
Idiots all, Murray, the author, and anyone else who believes guns just “fire” themselves or just “go off.” Sheesh. Just like SUVs that going on a rampage all on their own.
And to the person who mentioned alcohol being involved up thread — good bet!
What other deaths by negligence do you think should go unpunished?
Little old lady in the crosswalk run over by a guy on his cellphone? Just an accident.
Child run over while playing ball in the street run over by a woman scolding her kids in the car? Just an accident.
I was unaware that, as a result of something being an accident, one was absolved of personal responsibility/liability.
“Your ‘common sense’ sounds a lot like the anti-gunners. “
also known as the “ad-hominum” attack. Don’t argue based on facts, argue by calling names.
Oh man that guy was funny!!
Yes I do agree. They could before the gun control act of 1968.
Ignorance is not an excuse. Negligent homicide sounds justifiable here.
You are correct.
Any other questions?
^5
The right to own and operate a car is NOT enshrined in our Constitution.
As for the Army, they also train:
Machine guns
Grenades
Man portable rockets
Mortars
And improvised explosives
... and with all of this training they still have weapon related injuries and accidents. BTW, the VAST majority of the training is NOT safety training. By in large, the majority of training is how to load, aim accurately, fire, clean and maintain the weapon.
To this mix, add in all the Police training and their mishaps and you will come to learn that their will always be people who do dumb things, regardless of how much you train them.
You are listed as a gun training counselor. Do we really need to teach people how to use their guns? Why not let people try to figure it out for themselves?
At least that is what quite a few people on this board seem to be saying.
This is my rifle, this is my gun. One is for fun, one is for shooting. .....errrr I think I got that backwards.
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