Pro-Gun Columnist Dies After Handing Loaded Gun To Teenager — Why Firearm Safety Is So Important

By James England

PORTLAND, MAINE — A well renowned columnist for the Portland Press Herald died from an apparent gunshot wound after he passed a loaded handgun to a 16-year-old. The incident was mired with grief and tragedy as the columnist invited guests over to his home and appeared to entirely skip the step of unloading and clearing a firearm before passing it to another person.

The Portland Press Herald reported that Michael D. Harmon, 71, died inside his home before police arrived to investigate the scene. The teenager negligently discharged the firearm while Harmon was showing it to him.

Harmon was a champion of gun rights in the state of Maine, covering many controversial topics surrounding the passing of the permitless carry bill that was recently made into law.

While the investigation of the events leading up to Harmon’s death are still under review, his wife and others are calling the incident an “accidental tragedy”.

Tragedy is right.

Now, we’ve covered a number of topics relating to educating family members about the use of firearms and we encourage each household that has guns to educate everyone that lives within that home on their proper usage and safe handling.

Slip-ups like this happen when someone dismisses …Read the Rest