By Bob Walsh
A 14-year old boy who was at a firing range with his younger sister, older brother and father died yesterday (07-03) in a stupid, tragic accident that could reasonably be described as a negligent discharge of a firearm.
The boy’s father, William Brumby, 64, was a firing range in Sarasota, Florida and was shooting when a fired shell case took an odd bounce off a wall and went down the back of Brumby’s shirt. He used his right hand, still holding the pistol, in an attempt to remove the hot shell. The pistol discharged, striking and killing young Stephen Brumby, who was standing near him. The boy died as a result.
Was this an “accident?” Almost certainly. It was, however, by most reasonable definitions the negligent discharge of a firearm. Clearly the father violated at least two of the cardinal rules of firearms safety. I am not saying this should be prosecuted. I am saying that calling it an accident is maybe not completely spot-on and was easily avoidable.
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