Accidental Discharge
Definition
Unintended firing of a weapon without a deliberate trigger pull, usually caused by mechanical defect, sear wear, drop impact or unsafe handling.
- Cause
- Firing without a deliberate trigger pull
- Common triggers
- Mechanical defect, sear wear, drop impact, unsafe handling
- Field
- Firearms examination
- Test method
- Drop-fire testing
Common questions
How can an examiner distinguish accidental from deliberate discharge?+
Examination of the firearm's mechanical condition, such as sear engagement and trigger pull weight, combined with scene reconstruction, can show whether the gun could realistically fire without a trigger pull.
What is drop-fire testing used to assess?+
It is a controlled test that drops the weapon in various orientations to see whether impact alone can release the sear and fire a round, directly evaluating an accidental-discharge claim.
Can holster design contribute to accidental discharge?+
Yes, a holster allowing an object into the trigger guard, or an unsafe reholstering technique, is a documented cause of unintended trigger-pull events.
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