Man we have all been there, hot brass hits us somewhere, or sticks in the pocket of your shirt. But man what a tragic accident if you don't follow range safety rules on where the muzzle gets pointed. I can not imagine what that Father is going through.

Father Accidentally Shoots Teenage Son at Florida Gun Range - ABC News

At all times, you have to maintain absolute control of a firearm youre

When looking around the firing line at the range, there are many holes in places that shouldn't have them. Ya'all be safe.

It is a tragic and needless loss of life.

Many or most of us have had similar experiences with hot brass. I carry a scar or two under my throat courtesy of the brass from a former colleague's overly exuberant duty weapon. If you can't stand the heat it's time to get out of the kitchen.

Prosecuting the father, in this case, would be pointless, imho. There was no evidence of intent and it's simply a tragic case of being ill prepared to deal with the unexpected.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

This was a tragic accident, the statement attributed to the father was " It was not the gun that killed my son"

From a statement given to CNN
Clayton Brumby does not dispute the department's account and accepts responsibility for his son's death. He hopes the incident serves as a reminder to parents to be vigilant in anything they do with their children, bearing in mind that anything can happen despite anyone's best intentions and preparation.
"The gun didn't kill my boy. I did," he told CNN.
"Every round in the gun is your responsibility. When it fires you need to stand to account for it it. That's what I've spent the last two days doing, accounting for my operating error."

Does anybody really believe that he conscientiously used his gun hand to " scratch an itch or a red hot case " or maybe just maybe it was an involuntary reaction that caused his son to get killed.
Prayers to the father and the rest of the family..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP

I was at the range on Sunday and I was noting the number of place the grass had been disturbed by bullet strikes. Would you believe that most of the strikes were within 10 feet of the firing line!

We have a range officer on each range but he must have been BSing with someone at the other end of the range.

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Bill

Part of safe shooting is a mental attitude - a commitment that no matter what, you'll resolve any problem with the muzzle pointed down range - at an absolute minimum until the weapon is verified to be cleared and safe.

This is a tragedy but also a clear instance of inadequate training and shooter discipline.

I've been around people with guns most of my life, I'm not uncomfortable at watching people handling guns while in the field, hunting, whatever, but there's something about ranges ......

I've been told I'm anti-social, but being retired and in charge of my time now, I usually go to our club range at times like Wednesday morning at 10, when I'm pretty much guaranteed to be by myself.

This guy was in his mid 60s, had apparently been shooting a very long time and respected by the range operator as safety conscious.

That kind of surprises me. The way he used his gun hand to try and clear the hot brass sounds like something that someone fairly new to firearms would do. It takes discipline to consciensly maintain control of muzzle direction when instinctively reacting to the pain of hot brass on skin. I know I've been there many times and have slammed down a handgun pretty quickly to go after a hot shell, but always with the muzzle down range. Not sure what kind of a shirt he was wearing, but I always wear an underarmor shirt with a fairly tight fitting t shirt when shooting. I've found that when there is no spaces for the brass to go, the incidence of hot brass down the back went way down. I still have them bounce off everywhere, but not get lodged. Truly, truly a tragedy.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Thank you for removing that tasteless post.

Prayers for all involved.

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Sure you did

I read another story that indicated the man had been shooting just three years. They described the situation as the bullet ricocheting off the ceiling and back to hit his son behind him... who knows... But I do know that the Hixon indoor range I used to shoot at had some type of steel angle iron supporting the ceiling that was riddled with bullet marks which always bothered me.

Yes, I think a shirt absent an open collar is smart.

The focus always must be on what can bite you the worst, and not allow yourself to be distracted by something else. It's a learned discipline, and that unfortunate father did not have it.

A few years ago, I was shooting my AR-15 with my son at a local range when a shell casing bounced off of the brim of my cap and got caught between the lenses of my glasses and my eyelid. That spent round was HOT, and I could actually hear sizzling, but I was also aware that I still had a charged rifle in my hands, and my son was behind me watching everything I was doing. I applied the safety, placed the rifle down onto the bench, and then and only then did I remove my glasses and let the spent shell casing fall down. I had a nice 2nd degree burn on my right eyelid, and I impressed the hell out of my son once I explained what had happened to him.

He learned an absolute lesson about gun safety, and the responsibility of the shooter that I don't think he'll ever forget.

What a tragic, tragic thing that occurred with this family. My sympathies go to the family.

Regards,

Dave

I remember this from flying. Sometimes the guys making the outrageous beginner's mistake and then going "I can't believe I just did that!" were the old experienced pilots with thousands or tens of thousands of hours. Experience can breed thoughtlessness and cause you to lose your edge, because you've done it so many times. Without knowing details and passing judgment, this gentleman appears to have been acting without thinking.

I read that a top firearms instructor insisted the ladies at the range dress modestly and he recommended a kerchief or scarf to protect against hot brass. On another board a member said there was a fatality at an Air Force range, a shooter got hot brass down his shirt, forget he had a loaded weapon in his hand. I wear a kerchief around my neck in warmer weather. Years ago I had a hot 45 ACP case wedge itself between my cheek and my shooting glasses. It hurt like the Devil but I maintained control of my pistol.

Does anybody really believe that he conscientiously used his gun hand to " scratch an itch or a red hot case " or maybe just maybe it was an involuntary reaction that caused his son to get killed.
Prayers to the father and the rest of the family..

THIS is the last word.. a tragedy.. a lost child... this should not be a discussion of he shudda.. coudda.. woudda.... training this and self control that..

We're done..

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP