Florida Cyclist Dies After Gun in Pocket Goes Off
A cyclist died after accidentally shooting himself on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Troy Earl Smith Jr., 25, was found lying on a street in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a gunshot wound to the chest. He later was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
After reviewing video from nearby businesses and talking to witnesses, detectives determined that Smith was riding his bike when the handgun he was carrying in his jacket pocket discharged.
Troy Earl Smith Jr., 25 by all accounts had a long life ahead of him. Troy was also a firearms carrier but failed to follow a very important rule of gun safety, and it cost him his life.
This young man decided to carry his firearm in his pocket while he rode his bicycle; without the use of a holster. Holsters are designed to offer protection to the handgun, secure its retention, and provide ready access to it.
All of these things are important for a firearm carrier, but in Troy’s case keeping the firearm secure would have been a life saving function for him. Carrying an un-holstered firearm for many people feels more comfortable and appears to make it easier accessible.
For the most part, its true that carrying a gun in a holster can be more uncomfortable because its strapped to your body around your waist or on yours shoulder. Doing even simple activities like sitting down while wearing a holster can be an uncomfortable adjustment to get used to.
The discomfort of a holster, however, is a small price to pay for its advantages.
Drawing from a holster is actually easier because it provides an obstruction free draw, whereas if a gun is in your pocket there are all kinds of things it can get snagged on or obstruct your ability to get a proper grip on it.
Most importantly, however, is that it does provide protection from accidental discharges by covering the trigger. Had Troy used a holster instead of his pocket, an accidental discharge would not have taken his life.
