Hopefully someone can learn something from the comments on this unfortunate situation. As someone who has handled firearms for most of my life, I'm amazed when I hear a news report of a gun dischargin while being cleaned. A gun discharging while being cleaned is not an accident. There are several violations of firearm safety rules in this tragedy. The number one rule regards muzzle control, always keep the firearm pointed in safe direction. So simple but so essential. If there an unplanned discharged, at least the projectile will not inflict bodily injury. Number two, make sure both the chamber and the magazine are free of ammunition. Whether a shotgun is a pump, auto-loader, a SxS, O/U, or a breech loading single barrel, they can be broken down quite easily for thorough cleaning. rendering them inoperable. I have such a difficult time imagining a scenario where in that process, if rules one or two are followed, that someone could get shot.

I'm so sorry to hear this. My heart and Prayers go out to this family. God Bless yall.

If you don't have any compassion and anything nice to say, please don't say anything at all . This is a truly tragic accident. These boys are good friends of my sons. My sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to this wonderful family.

You don't service a gun and it is loaded.

Piene2 this story is not only sad it is tragic. I can tell you that it isn't like these two young men were just given guns and didn't know what they weree doing. They have been avid hunters for years and know all safety rules and regualtions. The one handling the gun is a Jr. at VMI and is/was on his way to a wonderful military career and as a friend of the family since before these kids were born I pray that this horrible ACCIDENT doesn't change that course. This was simply that an ACCIDENT and they happen, but this one has changed the lives of a wonder family and it totally has nothing to do with pumping more & more guns into society.