First of all let me say that I am glad that this Kentucky police officer only suffered non-life-threatening injuries in this horrendous accident – in front of his wife. He was apparently moving the weapon when it went off and a ricochet hit him in the stomach.
So what went wrong?
I’m going to start with asking the question as to why he was even handling the weapon in the elevator? Based on the published police report he said he made a decision to carry it in his hand as they walked to their car. That seems like a very questionable decision. Is the neighborhood your in that bad? Anyway, it just seems off and was clearly a bad decision in hindsight.
The second thing I’d say is trigger discipline. Why was his finger anywhere near the trigger? Regardless of whether he really needed to carry his weapon to his car, his finger should never have been within the trigger guard unless he felt he was about to fire the weapon or his life was otherwise in danger. This was clearly a mistake. Thankfully neither he nor his wife paid the ultimate price for that decision.
The last thing I’d say is that his choice of weapons (and yes I know this was a police issued 40). If you are going to have a concealed carry weapon I don’t think a loaded semi auto is ever the right choice. Go ahead, freak out. I know – you want that fast first shot ability as well as high capacity. I’ve got easy, safe solutions to both.
A revolver is going to resolve the first shot issue and is never going to go off from accidental finger contact with the hammer down. But what about capacity? Okay, if you really think you need more than six, seven, or the eight shots a revolver will give you go for a semi auto with a de-cocking lever. HK and SIG Sauer both have models, as well as my personal favorite, the CZ. You can load a round into the chamber, cock, then de-cock the weapon, and you now have the mechanical safety that a revolver gives you for your concealed carry piece.
(Of course I’m assuming it is legal to carry in your state. Otherwise you are going to jail – don’t do it.)