airman killed in pistol mishap at F.E. Warren AFB

[Frog]

As is emphasized at gun ranges, there are no accidental discharges, just negligent discharges.

 

[Ivan1GFP]

As is emphasized at gun ranges, there are no accidental discharges, just negligent discharges.

There are accidental discharges caused by mechanical failures.

 

[GrauGeist]

Even mechanical ADs have human involvement.

 

[Ivan1GFP]

Even mechanical ADs have human involvement.

Agreed.
Chambering a round and having the firearm go off isn't exactly negligent.
Neither is chambering a round, applying the safety and having the gun go off.
Rules still require that muzzle not be pointed at anything valuable, but I do not believe the discharges would be negligent.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Agreed.
Chambering a round and having the firearm go off isn't exactly negligent.
Neither is chambering a round, applying the safety and having the gun go off.
Rules still require that muzzle not be pointed at anything valuable, but I do not believe the discharges would be negligent.

In the case of the OP particularly, the human failure would seem to reside with the design or manufacture of the gun, rather than the end-user -- except that the gun was obviously pointed at a person, which should not happen unless intentional.

 

[Frog]

Air Force returns M18 pistols to service after inspections across nuclear force

Global Strike Command says it inspected about 8,000 of the handguns after the death of an airman in July. That death is under investigation.

taskandpurpose.com