CCW mom killed

[BlasterBob]

I am sure just about everyone here has seen/heard of the news about a 2 year old child removing a legally carried gun from his mom's CCW type purse and accidentally shooting her in the head while shopping at a Walmart. Has there been any indication of what type/caliber handgun was involved? If this question is a repost - I am sure a member of the dreaded repost police will be here soon!

[cstone]

9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/kootenai-county/2014/12/30/deadly-shooting-kills-hayden-walmart-shopper/21058855/

Tragic story. There are always lessons to be learned.

Be safe.

[KestrelBike]

Whole situation sucks obviously. If she didn't have a kid, you couldn't really fault her for that style of carry unless you are of the opinion that body-carry-only is the way to go. If her weapon had a manual safety (heck, even a 1911-style grip safety like on the Springfield XD's) a 2 year old's hand probably couldn't manipulate it to fire, especially dug into a purse. She doubtlessly carried the way she felt most comfortable, and took her eyes off the ball and the kid got into the purse. I know when I was that age, I was probably opening zippers and digging through my mom's purse.

A better design to that CCW purse would be to have an inner holster that covered the trigger area.

ETA:
9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

http://www.krem.com/story/news/local/kootenai-county/2014/12/30/deadly-shooting-kills-hayden-walmart-shopper/21058855/

Tragic story. There are always lessons to be learned.

Be safe.

With or without manual frame-safety? (S&W has released both styles) That is some terrible luck if there was a safety and it was engaged, and the 2yo's hand swiped it off as his paw found the trigger.

[cstone]

I believe that we are all one mistake away from tragedy...and the mistake made may not be ours.

Be safe.

[GilpinGuy]

I think the story I read said that she got the purse for Christmas from her husband. Sad story for sure.

[Gunservant]

Jeepers, this is a sad story, and the time of year is just unfortunate.

I am not a fan of off-body carry at all. I have on occasion been obligated to do so, and it usually gives me no little distress.

[TheGrey]

I have a hard enough time finding stuff in my purse, no matter HOW many pockets the purse has. When I finally DO carry, it'll be on-body. God, this is SUCH a tragic story. :(

[BlasterBob]

OK, we have had numerous posts about having a round in the chamber verses NOT having one in the chamber. Here would certainly be a good argument for THIS mom to have had an empty chamber. Damn sad situation.

[Hound]

Very sad. Lots of hindsight 20/20 here. Fact is Mom messed up and the kid will live the rest of his life in that moment even though he won't really remember it. CCW around kids is different than those without kids. I carry with the ability to become ready. Yes there are split second instances but they are so rare..... Most of us will NEVER draw our gun in anger, fewer will actually fire it, fewer still will actually hit anything even with training. Look at the hit rate of cops, who are trained. My personal opinion (and that is all it is) is that CCW allows you to be able to protect yourself. Not looking to protect yourself. Generally you know if you are in a bad position (granted not always) to prepare yourself. Practice the way you carry and give it some tacticool name like "Israeli" carry... Whatever. In the end it is the CCW carriers responsibility for not only the safety of the gun but also those around them. The gun should not have been that ready to "go" anywhere near a kid.

[BlasterBob]

"In the end it is the CCW carriers responsibility for not only the safety of the gun but also those around them. The gun should not have been that ready to "go" anywhere near a kid".

Hound is exactly right. A huge responsibility goes along with CCW.

[Ah Pook]

Not going to armchair QB this one.

Sad story all the way around.

[Gman]

Not going to armchair QB this one.

Sad story all the way around.
+1

[Bailey Guns]

I agree with the "armchair QB" sentiment. But I will say, assuming she was carrying to protect herself and her loved ones, that's exactly why the gun should be ready "to go". It just shouldn't have been accessible to the child. Carry how you want. But carrying with a round in the chamber isn't dangerous assuming the person has the proper mindset, equipment and training.

[osok-308]

Not going to armchair QB this one.

Sad story all the way around.

+1. It's easy to point out what someone did wrong. Hindsight will always be 20/20. Tragic story.

[02ducky]

I believe that we are all one mistake away from tragedy...and the mistake made may not be ours.

Be safe.

Words to live by, can I barrow this sentence from you Mr. Stone?

[cstone]

Words to live by, can I barrow this sentence from you Mr. Stone?

All yours [Beer]

[robertcolorado2009]

cstone, you have said it so succinctly, that there is nothing to add to that. I am going to remember your words and pass them along. Very well said!

[Eric P]

John Caldera discussed this on his show today. The same statements made here were on the show. Chambered vs non-chamberd, on body vs off body carry, ect...

Sad either way. Hope the kid is too young to understand what happened and doesn't remember this in the future.