NASHVILLE, TN – In a tragic incident on Edgehill Avenue, a 13-year-old girl was fatally shot inside her home on Saturday night. The unfortunate event occurred around 9:58 p.m., prompting immediate response from Midtown Hills Precinct officers who provided aid before Dearria was rushed to Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Emergency Room. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries from a single gunshot wound.
The girl’s mother, during an interview at police headquarters, reported that the shooting was accidental. She explained to detectives that her .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol was stored unholstered in her purse alongside other items. According to her account, the gun discharged while she was attempting to retrieve her keys from the purse.
This heart-wrenching incident highlights several concerns regarding firearm safety, especially when it comes to carrying weapons in purses. Firstly, the absence of a holster raises significant safety risks. It is crucial for gun owners to use proper holsters that not only secure the firearm but also cover the trigger guard to prevent negligent discharges. This is particularly important for striker-fired guns, which, as in this case, might not have external safeties.
Moreover, purses can often become targets for thieves, posing an additional danger when they contain firearms. A snatched purse could easily lead to a firearm falling into the wrong hands, further emphasizing the need for caution and secure carrying practices.
As the investigation, led by the police department’s Youth Services Division, continues, no charges have been placed yet. However, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the paramount importance of firearm safety, especially around children. It underscores the need for proper training and awareness to avoid such devastating accidents in the future.
The article doesn’t mention what type of gun it was, but that is significant. No gun should be tossed in a bag or purse without a holster, but if it was a striker-fired gun without an external safety it is even more foolish. An SA gun like a 1911 with the safety set, a DAO gun, or a DA/SA with the hammer down would be less likely to go off, but they should still be in a holster that protects the trigger. All this seems like such common sense, but we continue to see accounts of guns that go off in purses and pockets. It’s great that more people are legally carrying guns to protect themselves from the criminals the liberals keep putting back on the streets, but the level of training for so many is low or nonexistent. Like the guy who shot himself because he had a cocked derringer in his pocket. They don’t even have a trigger guard. It’s great to say there’s a need for proper training, but
the question is how to get new gun owners trained at least enough to carry safely.