[bedbugbilly]

Whether it was a suicide or an accident - there are very two good lessons that go along with it. And I say this with conviction and compassion.

First - As someone who has "worked" suicides as an ambulance attendant many years ago and then later on Fire/Rescue - there is nothing that bad nor serious enough that justifies a person taking their own life. As already stated by a forum member here, those left behind will always have to live with the questions, pain and loss. I have had many sleepless nights over the years from sights that I cannot erase from my mind and from feeling the pain that I hae seen the victim's family and friends experience. We are all human and we all get depressed at times. However, we all need to be aware of the signes that a potential suicide victim exhibits and try and see that they get help to get better. It's a very simple thing to reach out and help another person when they need it and sometimes all it takes is understanding and a showing that someone cares. Nuff said on that.

The second thing we can learn from this is if it was an accident, we all need to stop, everytime we handle a firearm . . . and remember that it is our responsibility to handle it in a responsible manner. We all know the first rule of firearms safety . . . "treat every firearm as if it is loaded". We all need to not only "police" ourselves in regards to this, but others as well. Know where that muzzle is pointing at all times. Firearms are not toys . . and when we see someone handling them as such, they need to be reminded of that. Personally, I have no problem in "chewing a second one" when I observe someone mishandling a firearm. I'd much rather embarass someone than see someone hurt.

This is truly a sad tale but I am glad it has been shared with us here on the forum. Regardless of whether any of us have met each other in person, I feel a "kinship" with everyone here and nobody wants hear about or see another person hurt. Be safe my friends and thank you for the reminder. Sometimes a "refresher" on being safe is the kindest gift a person can give another.