Numerous firearm safety rules were broken here, which led to a man fatally shooting his friend. Firearm Safety Rule 1, always treat every gun as if it were loaded. Firearm Safety Rule 2, always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Neither of those rules were followed.

On a Friday evening last month, the police responded to a shooting at a South Carolina home. Two 21-year-olds reported as gun enthusiasts, who had known each other since middle school, were having quick-draw competitions with real firearms. They had approximately 14 rounds of quick-draws.

According to the man who shot his friend, between the 14th and 15th rounds, he loaded his gun “due to muscle memory.” So on the 15th round of this quick-draw competition, when he pulled the trigger, his gun fired, fatally wounding his friend.

Police interviewed the shooter and a family member who gave similar statements. That makes me wonder if there was an older adult letting this happen. The shooter was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The 4 Rules of Firearm Safety are there for a reason. Firearms aren’t toys to play with while having “quick-draw” competitions. And this is exactly why.

4 Rules of Firearm Safety: Watch What Happens When You Don’t Follow Them

Read the original story: Quick-Draw Competition Leave One Friend Dead