I don't share the enthusiasm for guns that some of my sons and grandsons have.  I previously wrote about my experiences with guns.  (See Gun Safety in That Ye May Learn Wisdom).

Two days ago Isaiah shot himself in the leg.  He and Anne had gone to Coyote Peak east of Haines to shoot their guns.  Isaiah sent Anne back to the car to get a tool that was needed to sight in her gun.  While she was gone he was examining his .22 pistol.  He was unaware that the gun had a problem that was going to cause it to malfunction.  He pulled the hammer back, and the gun went off.  The bullet entered the calf of his right leg, went down through the leg, and lodged in his ankle.  Anne drove him home where Kevin jumped in the car and took him straight to the emergency room.

X-rays revealed that the bullet hadn't touched any bones, and that its trajectory was the best possible outcome.  The bullet is going to be left where it is.  The doctor was worried about the possibility of "compartment syndrome" where the body shuts off the blood supply to the part of the limb beyond the injury.  To be safe, he sent Isaiah and Kevin to spend the night at a hotel in Boise where they'd be close to the help Isaiah would need if the syndrome set in.

Isaiah will be fine.  A priesthood blessing said that this would not interfere with the mission that he will begin in just over a month, and that this injury would not cause any lasting effects.  I expect Isaiah to recover quickly and completely.

Isaiah is extremely savvy and knowledgeable about guns.  My hope is that this will give everyone a greater respect for firearms, and cause them to exercise the greatest care when using and handling them.