Your link is an example of an irresponsible gun owner. There's three simple rules that if followed, would eliminate all accidental shootings.

1. Always point the gun in a safe direction

2. Never put your finger on the trigger until ready to shoot.

3. Always leave gun empty until ready to use.




I'll also throw in to treat EVERY gun as if loaded. If someone is accidently shot then one or more of the listed rules was broken. None of this helps with the linked example above; but rules were broken nonetheless and some people need to be more responsible with their firearms.

No idea how George gets lumped in with that.

I'm just going to jump in and say it. Giving a 5 year old a gun for his birthday is just plain stupid. Giving a kid education and proper training on guns, THAT'S different (I say), but, just giving a kid a freaking shotgun, my God. And now that we're talking about it, have you guys considered giving your kids gun safety education? Just a question, that's something else I'd like to know how you feel about.

I would have to say that the parents (and legal owners of the gun) where irresponsible in this situation. Of course there is very little info on how the gun was stored and no info on how the child was taught. Obviously it was stored wrong as it was loaded and the child was able to gain access to it. Oh and just to keep things straight...it was a .22 caliber single shot, not a shotgun. Oh and yeah 5 is way to young if you ask me.

Personally, I don't have any issue with giving a young person a gun as a gift. But that age is dependent on the person, in that everyone matures differently. With safety always being first and foremost in my mind, a gift of that sort would come with the means to safely store it. All of my guns (with the exception of my daily carry) are kept unloaded and in a safe. I don't have kids, but it still keeps them from being easily accessible. I'm sure there is some criminal out there that can get into my safe or worked out in Prison so much that he could carry it away, but it's the best I can do.

I think Supersport is saying (and correct me if I am wrong) that Zimmerman appears to have acted irresponsible and that perhaps having a gun gave him a false sense of....authority or control? I THINK that's where he's going and if so I understand that. I've come across that type that seem to think they are king of the heap and have control due to the fact that they carry a gun. Wouldn't matter if it was a legal or illegal gun in that situation.

I like how Jody laid out the core basics of handling a firearm. IMHO the number one thing a person needs to do is educate them self on the subject. The basics are great, but being responsible goes far beyond the range. Obviously mindset and storage are two areas that are just important.

We have plenty of military law enforcement types here that could shed a lot more light on this than me (and I hope they will). Anyone care to weigh in on their view of a responsible gun owner?

I think we can call this one done. I appreciate everyone working out their differences, and hopefully the original poster found the answer to his question.