SHOOTING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
A Shooting Accident Attorney Can Hold Negligent Parties Legally Responsible
In 2012, a Congressional Research Service report found that there are more guns in circulation than there are people living in the United States. It is imperative that gun owners receive proper training and take the appropriate steps to keep their firearms out of the hands of untrained users. Unfortunately, even the most responsible gun owners can wind up involved in an accidental shooting if they have purchased a defective gun. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accidental shooting, a shooting accident attorney at Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks in Provo, UT, can investigate your case to determine if the manufacturer was negligent or another party is responsible. Call (801) 500-4000 or use our online form to contact the firm today.
Because of their lack of knowledge about the dangers of firearms, children are often victims of these accidents.
Causes of Firearm Accidents
Unintentional shootings rank among the leading causes of gun deaths. Why do they happen?
Lack of Training
Firearms safety courses are vital in teaching gun owners how to safely use their gun. Gun owners who did not undergo proper training are more likely to injure or kill someone in an accidental shooting than those who did.
Lack of Parental Guidance
When a child gets hold of a gun, the parent may be found legally responsible for failing to keep it in a secure place.
Drugs and Alcohol
Accidents happen more often when people show off or play with guns, especially while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Manufacturer Error
Not all guns are designed and manufactured correctly. If a weapon discharges on account of poor design or a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer can be held legally responsible for the damage that occurs.
Unintentional shootings rank among the leading causes of gun deaths.
Gun Manufacturer Liability
When a responsible gun owner becomes involved in an accidental shooting, the manufacturer can be held liable if certain conditions are met:
- Insufficient safety instructions – The gun came without or had insufficient safety instructions and warnings.
- Manufacturing defect – The design of the gun was satisfactory, but the gun itself was manufactured incorrectly.
- Design defect – A safer gun could have been designed but was not.
Gun Laws in Utah
Concerning the purchase of guns, you do not need a state permit to purchase a handgun, shotgun, or rifle. However, a licensed dealer must perform a criminal background check before selling you a firearm. If you have a concealed firearm permit, you may be exempt from this requirement if the dealer can verify that your permit is valid.
You do not need a state permit to possess a handgun, shotgun, or rifle. If you are a gun owner, you do not need a permit to carry a loaded firearm on your real property, residence, or a business under your control. You are required to have a permit in order to carry a loaded firearm on a public street, and unless securely encased, you may not carry a concealed firearm.
Preventing Firearm Accidents
There are many measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of a firearm accident, including:
- Store your gun in a safe so that no one in your home has access to the gun beside you.
- Install trigger locks, cable locks, and chamber locks to prevent unwanted discharge.
- Store your ammunition and firearm in different locations.
- Keep your gun unassembled, as it takes knowledge to assemble a firearm.