ORLANDO, Fla. – A series of unintentional shootings across Central Florida has renewed questions about firearm safety and whether many of these cases should be considered accidents at all.
In just the past six months, several shootings involving children have left families devastated and communities searching for answers.
Among the recent cases:
- Orange County (Christmas Day 2025): A 16-year-old admitted to accidentally shooting a 13-year-old.
- Polk County (June 2026 ): A 6-year-old accidentally shot himself in the leg.
- Orange County (July 2026): Two children were injured after a deputy accidentally discharged a firearm.
- Osceola County (July 2026): A 2-year-old was killed after investigators say a 4-year-old found an unsecured gun and fired it while the family was visiting Central Florida on vacation.
“I don’t believe there’s such a thing as an accidental discharge,” said News 6 Traffic Safety Expert Trooper Steve Montiero.
With 19 years of law enforcement experience, Trooper Steve explained that responsible gun ownership begins long before someone pulls the trigger, adding that owning a firearm is both a constitutional right and a serious responsibility.
The four cases of unintentional shootings above resulted in seven minors being impacted both as victims of the physical shootings and as children impacted by being the ones who shouldn’t have had access to a gun and pulled the trigger or witnessed it.
Recently, Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon described multiple failures that allowed a 4-year-old to access a weapon inside a vehicle, ultimately shooting and killing their 2-year-old cousin.
“If it’s in a holster, maybe it’d make it harder for the child to manipulate,” Blackmon said. “But it’s literally laying out by itself. So it’s easy to grab, and you pull the trigger—you can’t recall that. It’s not a video game.”
Authorities say the shooting serves as a painful reminder that even a few moments of carelessness can have irreversible consequences.
Simple steps can save lives
Montiero says every gun owner should have basic safety equipment readily available, like a firearm holster if applicable, a safety lock or a case for the weapon.
And he says even seasoned gun owners and enthusiasts can forget that it doesn’t matter how quickly you think you may have to handle a firearm, always:
- Keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction.
- Identify your target before pulling the trigger.
- Store firearms in a locked safe or secured with a gun lock when not in use.
Resources
- Free Gun Locks: In Central Florida, free gun safety locks are most reliably available through local sheriff’s offices and police departments. These agencies often partner with Project ChildSafe to provide gun locks and educational materials to residents at no cost.
- Project ChildSafe Kits: The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office provide free gun safety kits and lockboxes to promote family and youth safety.
- Court-Ordered & Voluntary Training: The Florida Safety Council (offices in Orlando) provides state-recognized, basic firearms safety and awareness courses.
- Shooters World Orlando: Located roughly 5 miles from Rosemont at 4847 S. Orange Blossom Trail, this facility offers highly rated introductory courses like “First Shots,” defensive handgun training, and private lessons.
- Oak Ridge Gun Range: Located at 1221 Florida Mall Ave, this local facility hosts a specialized “Pistol & Home Defense” training class on the first Tuesday of every month. Details can be found on the Oak Ridge Gun Range page.
- Florida Firearms Training: For comprehensive building-block courses, concealed carry certifications, and defensive instruction, review the class menu on Florida Firearms Training.
- Decision Tactical: Immersive one-of-a-kind gaming experiences that include simulated shooting ranges and scenarios that are fun for the entire family. 430 Towne Center Cir Ste A, Sanford, FL 32771