Mardi Gras Shooting is a Gun Safety Reminder

A bizarre and horrifying shooting during Mardi Gras in New Orleans last week serves as a reminder to follow basic gun safety and obey the law. Even though law enforcement called it an accident, we can still learn from it.

During one of the many Mardi Gras parades, at least one shot was fired from inside a portable toilet placed along a parade route. A male parade goer, age 36, was struck, injured and taken to hospital, according to WWLTV.com. Law enforcement said there was no altercation prior to the shooting and there is no suspect in custody. There is a municipal ordinance that prohibits firearms along the parade route.

Let’s look at the number one way this tragedy could have been prevented: by obeying the law. It is illegal to bring firearms along the parade route, according to law enforcement. The gun had no business there.

Potential scenario No. 2: Alcohol was involved. This is complete speculation, but how on earth does someone fire a shot from inside of a portable toilet without being three sheets to the wind? Alcohol and firearms do not mix.

Even if this was a stone-cold sober guy who just mishandled his firearm, the gun was not secured. And it was loaded. We’ve established that according to the law he shouldn’t have taken the gun there in the first place, but he did. So how did the negligent discharge happen? Perhaps it was not holstered and was mishandled. Secure your weapon properly.

Potential scenario No. 3: He had nefarious intentions. Maybe someone intended to cause mayhem or even to do real damage. We may never know.