Hunter killed when rifle discharges
A Leesburg man trying to pull a loaded gun from his truck was killed when it went off and hit him in the chest. Authorities say 73-year-old Johnny G. Hurst was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday inside the Osceola National Forest. Hurst's wife and two sons were with him when the accident occurred. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that it appears the muzzleloader was already loaded when Hurst grabbed the barrel of the gun to pull it out of the truck. The trigger likely was hooked on something, causing the gun to fire.
A Leesburg man trying to pull a loaded gun from his truck was killed when it went off and hit him in the chest.
Authorities say 73-year-old Johnny G. Hurst was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday inside the Osceola National Forest. Hurst's wife and two sons were with him when the accident occurred.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that it appears the muzzleloader was already loaded when Hurst grabbed the barrel of the gun to pull it out of the truck. The trigger likely was hooked on something, causing the gun to fire.
Now, I would consider the discharge in and of itself accidental. Like practically every accident in the universe, it could have been prevented, but as humans we tend to be only able to hold so many things in our mind at one time and often try to rely on instinct to protect us from things. In this case, the trigger being tripped was more than likely out of Mr. Hurst's control.
However, his negligence in handling the firearm is what proved to be fatal, not the fact that the rifle discharged. First off, with a muzzleloader there is no reason to have the percussion cap seated until you are actively utilizing the rifle. Sitting in your truck is not the right time.
Second, he stood in front of the muzzle while handling the gun - Nothing you wish to preserve should ever go in front of the muzzle, ever. This is because Rule #1 is in effect - the gun is always loaded.
Sadly, had Mr. Hurst not stood in the way of the muzzle, he would more than likely be alive now.