Here’s a rule worth following: don’t keep a bullet in the chamber when transporting a weapon. “Combat ready” means ready for combat, not a strenuous hike over hill and dale. And here’s another piece of common sense advice: never assume your gun’s safety works. Wyoming’s codyenterprise.com tells the tale: “[Sheriff Scott] Steward said [victim Nicholas] Bemis and two others were rabbit hunting in the rough terrain when the man in front of Bemis slipped and fell backward, discharging the rifle. The possibility of the man holding the gun facing charges ‘is there’ but depends on several issues, Steward said. ‘Much would depend on if he had prior knowledge of the weapon being faulty. If that turns out to be the case, I would say he could more likely face civil action should the victim’s family wish to go after him.” So to speak.
