Two people accidentally shot themselves in Clayton County in the past seven days, the county’s police department said Tuesday.
What’s Happening: Police did not release the names of those involved, their conditions, or where the incidents happened.
What’s Important: Officers said they did not pull broader statistics this week because accidental shootings happen “far more often than it should” in the county.
Basic Gun Safety You Should Already Know: Police listed four firearm safety rules that gun-owners should already know, but clearly need to freshen up on.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
- Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to destroy.
- Remove the magazine and clear the chamber before cleaning, showing, or storing a gun.
- Know what is behind your target, because a bullet does not stop if you miss.
Georgia law makes it illegal to fire a gun within 25 feet of a public road. Police said firing ranges and other approved areas are the safest places to shoot.
How This Affects Real People: The department asked parents and guardians to teach children about firearm safety, saying guns are “often within reach or just a few clicks away” for young people.
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.