12 October 2007

It's not that complicated

You just have to follow the three inviolable rules of gun safety...

-- ONE: ALL guns are ALWAYS loaded.
(never mind you checked it when it went into the gun locker... you pick it up, you check it again)
-- TWO: NEVER let the muzzle cover anything you're not willing to destroy.
(hey, if you have to ask, you're too stupid to own a gun)
-- THREE: BE SURE of your target.
(that'd better be a deer and not the brother-in-law)
While I don't know the specifics of what transpired in this case, it's safe to say that, outside of a frantic, close-quarters gunfight, it's totally inexcusable for a "professional trigger puller" to down one of his squadmates.

The Army has no choice but to send a strong, indelible message to the troops.
The Canadian military said Friday a Canadian soldier charged in the shooting death of a fellow soldier in Afghanistan last year will face a military trial on charges of manslaughter and negligent performance of duty.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service issued a brief statement Friday saying it has preferred the charges against Master Corporal Robbie Fraser relating to the death of Master Corporal Jeff Walsh during a patrol on an Afghan highway on Aug. 9, 2006.
A firearm, like a car, or even a screwdriver... is simply a tool... the ultimate responsibility rests with the person on the trigger.

Unfortunately, everybody is a loser here.

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RELATED: A father speaks up
Ben Walsh, the father of the soldier who was killed, told CTV Atlantic he doesn't want Fraser put on trial.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robbie Fraser and his family at this time. We certainly do not want to see this man persecuted in any way," said Walsh.

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