Negligent Discharge at Indiana Range Serves as Reminder of Holster Safety

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TERRE HAUTE, IN — A negligent discharge incident at Top Guns, a well-known shooting range and gun store in Indiana, left one man injured earlier this week. The incident, which occurred before the man had even begun shooting, serves as an important reminder of the risks posed by improper holster selection and handling.

According to Steve Ellis, the owner of Top Guns, the customer was preparing to shoot and was in the process of holstering his firearm when the negligent discharge occurred. The man was using a leather holster with a floppy retention strap—a design that has been known to create safety issues if the strap enters the trigger guard during reholstering. In this case, the strap made its way into the trigger guard and pressed against the trigger as the man pushed his handgun into place, causing the gun to discharge.

The round struck the man in the leg, entering just above his knee and exiting near his ankle. Staff at Top Guns responded immediately, providing critical first aid by applying tourniquets to control the bleeding. Emergency responders arrived shortly afterward, and the injured man was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition. Ellis credited his staff’s quick and calm response with saving the man’s life.

Holster Selection and Safe Reholstering

This incident highlights the importance of selecting a quality holster and paying attention to your surroundings when holstering a firearm. A proper holster should fully cover the trigger once the gun is secured, but it’s equally important for the user to ensure nothing—like a jacket drawstring, loose clothing, or an unsecured retention strap—can enter the trigger guard during reholstering. Holsters with floppy leather retention straps, like the one involved in this incident, pose a particular risk because the strap can easily fold into the holster’s opening and press against the trigger before the firearm is fully seated. This combination of holster design and user oversight makes reholstering a critical moment that requires care and attention.

Additionally, Ellis emphasized the value of visually confirming the holster is clear before inserting a firearm. While some shooters believe reholstering should be done by feel alone, the reality is that during non-stressful situations, such as at a range or during training, there is no reason not to look your firearm into the holster. This simple habit can prevent unintentional discharges caused by obstructions.

Another helpful tip shared by Ellis is to adjust your body position when holstering to minimize the risk of a round striking your body if an unintentional discharge occurs. For those carrying at the 3 or 4 o’clock position, this could mean angling the strong-side leg inward to move it out of the line of fire. If you carry in the appendix position, you can achieve a similar effect by pushing your hips forward to create a safer angle while holstering. This simple adjustment is an effective way to follow one of the core firearm safety rules: keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.

Key Takeaways

• Choose holsters that provide clear, rigid trigger guard protection. Avoid holsters with loose flaps, straps, or soft materials that could intrude into the trigger area.
• Look your firearm into the holster whenever possible. This is especially practical during training or at the range.
• Be mindful of your body position when holstering. Slightly angling the body to avoid covering the leg with the muzzle adds an extra layer of safety.
• Train for proper emergency response. The quick application of a tourniquet and calm response from the Top Guns staff made a life-saving difference in this incident.

This case serves as an unfortunate but valuable reminder that firearm safety doesn’t end when the trigger finger leaves the trigger. Reholstering is a critical moment that deserves just as much attention to safety as firing the gun itself. By selecting quality holsters, being deliberate when reholstering, and maintaining muzzle awareness, shooters can greatly reduce their risk of experiencing a similar incident.