“Alaska State Troopers say a 43-year-old state Department of Fish and Game worker sustained minor injuries after a coworker’s shotgun unexpectedly discharged while they were out in the field,” ktva.com reports. Nobody expects the unexpected! But responsible journalists should be expected not to perpetuate the bizarre notion that shotguns discharge on their own (by deploying the passive voice).
Like any gun, a shotgun has to be loaded, the safety disengaged and the trigger pressed to discharge. And at least until SkyNet goes live, that requires some form of human intervention. Not that you’d know that from the ktva.com headline — Troopers: Worker hurt after coworker’s shotgun discharges.
Troopers say John “Chris” Ford of Petersburg was treated and released following the Aug. 17 incident in the Stikine River drainage in southeast Alaska.
Troopers say their investigation continues, adding that no foul play is suspected. According to troopers, three Fish and Game employees were working in the area when the shotgun discharged.
Fish and Game spokesman Ken Marsh says the agency routinely issues shotguns to employees for bear protection.
How are bears protected by irresponsible Fish and Game officers wielding shotguns? From who are the officers protecting the bears? And why not name and shame the officer who blasted his two-legged cohort for the negligent discharge? Because guns!