Air Guns Can Kill

Air guns are responsible for thousands of accidental injuries numerous fatalities each year in the United States. BB and pellet guns often cause permanent eye injuries, deep puncture wounds that leave nerve damage and scarring, severe infections, and even death. Because these guns are often purchased as toys, children and young adults are especially susceptible to the dangers. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to negligence, call an experienced Las Vegas injury attorney at J. Cogburn Law Offices today for a free case consultation.

Air Gun Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 30,000 people are injured by pellets and BB guns every year in the U.S. Pellet guns and BB guns may seem like toys, but they can cause a variety of severe injuries because of high-velocity projectiles. The Daisy Red Ryder gun reaches a velocity speed of 350 feet per second- almost 239 mph. Other BB guns can reach even higher speeds. Common air gun injuries include:

Eye Injuries

Eye injuries caused by BB guns often cause severe damage to victims. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, at least 66 percent of eye injuries result in permanent, partial vision loss or blindness.

Skin Injuries

Since pellets and BBs from air guns can travel at speeds of over 200 mph, they act as tiny projectiles when fired. When a person is hit, the results are often bruising, skin lacerations, and deep puncture wounds where pellets or BBs become embedded in the skin.

Infections

Pellets and BB that puncture the skin are prone to serious bacterial infections. In 1992, a Philadelphia man died from a bacterial infection after a BB lodged in his brain.

In addition to serious injuries, air guns can also kill. According to the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission, pellet guns and BB guns are responsible for at least four deaths each year in the U.S. Although the fatality risk from a BB gun injury is low, it’s much higher if the injury occurs at close range. There have been numerous reports of fatalities caused by BB guns at close range. In 2015, a 15-year old boy in Deer Valley died after being accidentally shot in the chest with a BB gun by a friend. In 2018, an 8-year old girl in Indiana died after being shot in the eye with a BB gun by her 6-year old brother.