New Hampshire Accident Caused By Safety Violations
October 31 marks the opening day of New Hampshire’s muzzleloader season for deer. On this day, Robert LaPointe, age 66, while in Ossippee shot himself in the hand. He was pulling the muzzleloader up into the tree when it got hung up on a branch, which pulled the trigger. The muzzleloader discharged, shooting LaPointe in the hand at close range. He suffered serious injuries and was transported to Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Maine Medical Center in Portland.
A few important things to remember when hunting with a loaded firearm:
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.
- Never pull a gun toward you by the muzzle.
- Never climb a fence or tree or jump a ditch or log with a loaded gun.
- Never pull a loaded gun up into the tree stand.