Two shooting accidents in Tooele County this week have put the spotlight on firearm safety.
A woman shot herself in the mouth with a .22 caliber rifle Monday night at Box Elder Canyon in the Stansbury Mountains, according to Tooele County Sheriff Lt. Ron Johnson.
The woman was taking target practice at the campsite with her boyfriend, who said she was unfamiliar with firearms, Johnson said. The boyfriend said she started with a BB gun before moving to the .22 caliber rifle, according to police.
The woman was sitting in a camp chair with the rifle resting between her legs, Johnson said. When she stood up, she grabbed the rifle by the trigger guard and it discharged below her chin, he said.
The bullet went through the woman’s tongue and exited near the bridge of her nose, Johnson said.
The boyfriend quickly administered first aid and put a sock in the woman’s mouth to help keep pressure on the bullet wound, according to police. With no cell reception at their campsite, the boyfriend had to drive to Grantsville for signal to call emergency responders, Johnson said.
The woman was flown to the University of Utah Hospital. As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the woman was in serious but stable condition and may need additional surgery, Johnson said.
No charges will be filed as a result of the incident, he said.
A 13-year-old boy shot himself in the foot Tuesday afternoon around the Interstate 80 exit for Dugway Proving Ground at mile marker 77, Johnson said.
The boy and his father were taking target practice when the gun discharged into his foot, according to police. The incident was reported to police after the boy was driven to an emergency room by his father, Johnson said.
Utah state-approved hunter safety courses recommends four main safety tips when using firearms. First, keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction and never point it at any person, including yourself.
Anyone using a firearm should treat the gun like it’s loaded, even if they are certain the gun is not. When shooting, be sure you can identify the target or animal you’re firing at and be mindful of what is in front of, and behind, the target.
Finally, keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot to prevent an accidental discharge.