Contributed Photo: A man was initially seen at MGRMC before being flown to a Tucson hospital for further treatment of an injury sustained in an accidental gunshot.
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A 71-year-old man was flown to a Tucson hospital on Sunday for treatment after accidentally shooting himself.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, the man advised he was holding a Derringer .38-caliber pistol in his hand when he accidentally dropped it.
As the pistol fell, the hammer hit a table, which caused the firearm to discharge and hit the back of his right calf, according to the report. The pistol was loaded with “rat shot.”
While at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, the man told a deputy that the discharge was simply an accident and there was no foul play and he had no intentions of harming himself. A second individual at the hospital advised she was at the home when the incident occurred and transported the man to the hospital.
The man was then flown to Tucson for further medical treatment.
According to the National Rifle Association (NRA), the fundamental rules for safe gun handling are:
- Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances.
- Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger alongside the frame and outside the trigger guard. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.
- Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does.
