In 2014, Oscar Pistorius faced trial for the murder of his girlfriend in South Africa, having earned fame as the “blade runner”—a double-amputee who became a celebrated runner using prosthetic legs. Pistorius asserted he mistook his girlfriend for a home invader when he shot through the bathroom door, resulting in her death. Initially, he was found guilty of culpable homicide, a charge akin to manslaughter in the U.S. However, in December 2015, the Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa upgraded the conviction to murder, rejecting the claim that he had a reasonable fear for his life. This incident serves as an illustration of Jeff Cooper’s “Rule Four”: one must always be certain of the target and what lies beyond it before discharging a firearm. While anti-gun advocates argue that ordinary Americans with guns frequently shoot the wrong people by mistake, such incidents are exceedingly rare. Nonetheless, when they do occur, they provide potent ammunition for those favoring gun control.
Mistaken Identity
The second case emerged from St. Cloud, Florida, on December 31, 2015. A woman visiting for the holidays was accidentally shot by her mother, who mistook her for an intruder. The mother, awakened by the sound of someone entering her home, fired a single shot upon hearing rapid footsteps approaching, only to discover she had shot her 27-year-old daughter. The daughter, who was visiting from North Carolina and did not live at the residence, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The mother also required medical attention. The St. Cloud Police Department is investigating, but preliminary findings suggest the mother’s account aligns with the evidence, and the shooting appears accidental. The state attorney’s office will determine whether charges are warranted upon completion of the investigation.
Avoiding Tragedy
The third case involved a homeowner in Florida who, after a hurricane, mistook early-arriving repairmen for looters and fired a warning shot, grievously wounding one of the workers. Despite avoiding criminal charges, the homeowner faced a costly civil lawsuit due to his reckless actions.
Gun enthusiasts read magazines because they are passionate about firearms. With an increasing number of Americans arming themselves, many for the first time, even those not formally trained as firearms instructors often become the go-to experts on armed self-defense for their social circles. It is incumbent upon responsible gun owners to correct misconceptions spread by media, such as the belief that carry permits and stand-your-ground laws will lead to rampant violence, or that the Castle Doctrine allows for indiscriminate use of lethal force within one’s home.
Light The Night
It is strongly recommended to pair a gun with a source of illumination, whether it’s a weapon-mounted light or a separate flashlight. This ensures clear target identification and helps prevent tragic mistakes. In the dark, a flashlight can reveal whether an intruder is actually an unexpected, but welcome, guest, thereby avoiding potential legal consequences.
Proper handling of suspected intrusions can save lives. In the fourth case, a graduate of a self-defense course recounted how, instead of hastily shooting an intruder, he used a flashlight and cover position to identify the person as his brother-in-law, who had arrived unexpectedly. This common-sense approach prevented a possible disaster.
