Where in Florida are you most likely to get shot by an accidental bullet?
Which counties have the least responsible and most responsible gun owners?
With 2017 behind us, it’s time to look at what the numbers say.
We compiled data from gunviolencearchive.org to count up all the accidental shootings in 2017. There were 133 incidents total. Some people died, some people didn’t. Some shot themselves, some shot others. Keep in mind these are only reported incidents that have had police reports filled out. No one statistic can ever describe a phenomena completely. Numbers tell the truth, but they also deceive.
With that being said, let’s see who the winners are!
Per WTF Florida’s lousy editorial standards, first place (winning) goes to the zone with the MOST accidental shootings, and then we move on down the list (losers). This is not scientific, or per capita, or any of that.
The results from 2017:
1. Central – 28 accidental shootings
Congratulations Central Florida! Mickey Mouse Headquarters wins the grand prize for the highest number of accidental shootings! Most of the incidents took place in Orlando.
Central (Old People and Mickey Mouse): Lake County, Marion County, Orange County, Osceola County, Polk County, Seminole County, Sumter County
2. Southeast – 26 accidental shootings
A very close contender. The “Miami” zone wins second place, losing a tie with Central by only two points.
Southeast (Miami, basically): Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County
3. Northeast – 23 accidental shootings
Jacksonville pretty much held all the weight for the Northeast’s third place victory. Saint Augstine did their part too.
Northeast (Daytona and Jacksonville, basically): Duval County, Flagler County, Nassau County, St. Johns County, Volusia County
4. Central West – 17 accidental shootings
The Tampa Bay: a.k.a. The Wild West. The only explanation we have for them not ranking number one is that nobody there ever goes to the hospital or calls the cops.
Central West (Tampa Bay): Hardee County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Sarasota County
5. Southwest – 13 accidental shootings
Fort Myers did almost half the work for this zone. Lehigh Acres gets an honorable mention too. Congratulations.
Southwest (The Everglades): Charlotte County, Collier County, Glades County, Hendry County, Highlands County, Lee County
6. Northwest – 11 accidental shootings
This almost isn’t fair. People in the Panhandle use guns more than Miamians drink cortaditos, so just by sheer volume they are guaranteed to have some accidents. Nobody died as a result though. These people are professionals for the most part, but of course, alcohol is a hell of a drug and sh*t happens.
Northwest (The Panhandle): Bay County, Calhoun County, Escambia County, Franklin County, Gadsden County, Gulf County, Holmes County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Leon County, Liberty County, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Wakulla County, Walton County, Washington County
7. Central East – 10 accidental shootings
Still in the double digits, but still not very impressive. Thank all the rednecks who study the NRA Gun Safety Bible for putting this zone in almost last place.
Central East (North North Miami): Brevard County, Indian River County, Martin County, Okeechobee County, St. Lucie County
8. Big Bend – 5 accidental shootings
The Big Bend is all “country,” but more Florida and less Alabama. Y’all win last place. Good job.
Big Bend (Hickville): Alachua County, Baker County, Bradford County, Citrus County, Clay County, Columbia County, Dixie County, Gilchrist County, Hamilton County, Hernando County, Lafayette County, Levy County, Madison County, Putnam County, Suwannee County, Taylor County, Union County
[…] stupid if they find that gun. Our people know guns. We breathe guns. Northwest Florida only had 11 accidental shootings last year, compared to Central’s […]
[…] stupid if they find that gun. Our people know guns. We breathe guns. Northwest Florida only had 11 accidental shootings last year, compared to Central’s […]