[Kindred]

That's awful.

I've given a lot of state-required safety courses at our club and ALWAYS harp on that point. My biggest selling point has always been "think of how it would feel to accidentally kill a friend". I always found it to be much more effective than "because it's safer".

Admittedly, most hunters are unwilling to risk spooking a deer by chambering their round at the last minute, but that's where the maturity and wisdom of the individual comes into play.

REDTHIRST, that's a very valid argument for a concealed carry. We always wore our sidearms w/ a round chambered. BUT, that's a very different reason to be carrying a firearm. If being bum-rushed by a herd of angry deer was a possible hunting risk, then maybe hunters should re-consider their safety-vs-tactical choices.

I confess that very early in my shooting career I did accidentally discharge a pistol. Thank Christ nobody was hurt, and to this day, even THINKING about the event shoots a chill up my spine. I can't even begin to imagine what this kid is feeling.