Posted Feb. 28.

As of “press time,” 20 people had accidentally shot themselves during the week beginning February 5. That’s a little on the high end, but not very far out of keeping with routine. The week’s list also included six minors accidentally shot (and three shootings by kids under age six, not including those who accidentally shot themselves), five accidental gun fatalities, five people who accidentally fired guns they were cleaning, and five people who accidentally fired guns while they were out and about with the rest of us, shopping, dining, staying at hotels, etc. And, as usual, there were multiple incidents of members of the military and law enforcement officers involved in GunFAIL incidents of various kinds, hunting accidents, and “home invasion shootings,” where friendly gun enthusiasts (accidentally) include their neighbors in their activities, sending discharged bullets into their homes and properties without waiting for an invitation.

Speaking of accidentally firing into a neighboring property, and of accidentally firing your guns while you’re out shopping with the rest of us, Florida has got us covered on both counts. On February 10, in Seminole, a 19-year-old girl was shot in the back while getting a pedicure at Dara’s Nail Salon and Day Spa. I may have the wrong picture in my head, but it seems like getting shot in the back during a pedicure isn’t all that easy. And as it happens, this one had to be pulled off by accidentally firing a .45 through the wall of the gun shop next door. Be aware of who your neighbors are, I guess! Though the owners of the nail salon here could certainly be forgiven for believing the NRA’s propaganda, telling them that the gun shop next door was the safest neighbor anyone could have. If they’re not GunFAIL readers, that is.

The next day, on the opposite coast, a friendly Responsible Gun OwnerTM and concealed carry permit holder accidentally dropped his little friend in the Dunkin’ Donuts in Coconut Creek. The floor of the donut shop, which is not licensed to carry firearms irresponsibly fired the weapon, striking a 55-year-old woman, more likely there for donut holes than bullet holes. But what’s a patriotic citizen to do? The concealed carry permit holder was merely exercising his right to keep drop and bear accidentally discharge arms. And at least he did what his concealed carry permit required him to do in such a situation. That is, carry his gun out of the establishment, and conceal himself elsewhere, before the police arrived.