There are numerous gun ranges across the state of Florida, and many people opt to go for some target practice after a busy week at work. While guns have their uses, such as for target practice, hunting and self-defense, they are also potentially dangerous.
Accidents at gun ranges are rare but they happen often enough to warrant some further consideration. How do gun range accidents happen and what are your options if you are injured in such an occurrence?
Inexperienced operators
The safety policies at gun ranges can vary, with many allowing individuals to bring their own firearms. Unfortunately, a person’s ambitions can sometimes outweigh their ability and experience. Someone may have been eligible to buy a high-powered firearm but doesn’t yet have the skills to operate it safely. With one slip up, an innocent bystander could be injured severely by a stray bullet.
Accidental discharge
While modern firearms tend to have safety mechanisms to reduce the risk of accidental discharge, these are not foolproof. If someone drops a gun at the range, there is a chance that it goes off and causes a severe injury. Thousands of people across the US are injured by these types of accidents every year, with many of them happening on ranges.
Gun ranges have a legal duty to make their facilities as safe as possible. Other gun users also owe you a duty of care. If you’ve been injured in a firearms incident that was the result of negligence, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Seeking guidance from someone with knowledge in the field of personal injury law will give you a clearer idea of what your options are.