Horrors like this don't happen because one gun is more or less dangerous than another, they happen because a person causes them to happen. Every one of us knows that gun safety rule number one is to ALWAYS keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Follow just that one and nobody gets accidentally shot. It is easier to tell when a double or O/U is loaded but I know I have read more than once that one (allegedly) went off as it was being closed. Breaking other safety rules might cause someone to be embarrassed or suspended or kicked out of a gun club or hunting group. As bad as that might be it is far better than having to live with the reminder that you maimed or killed someone.
I was hunting with someone that suffered a self-inflicted shotgun wound and it isn't something I want to have to deal with again. I'm just glad that if he had to shoot someone it was himself and not me. It was the last time we hunted together.
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