Shoulder Holster Believed To Be Contributing Factor In Fatal, Negligent Self-Inflicted Gunshot

ROCKDALE TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA – A 56-year-old man is dead after apparently accidentally shooting himself. The Pennsylvania State Police at Meadville report that Craig Steven Galford of 24811 Mackey Hill Road, was fatally wounded in his home at 12:43 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2^nd.

The Crawford County Coroner, Scott Schell, told local media outlets that the deceased died from a single gunshot wound to the left side of the torso. Galford was found wearing a shoulder holster, and it is believed that he was attempting to place the gun in the holster when it accidentally discharged.

While every style of holster and method of carry has its advantages and disadvantages, as well as its fans and detractors, shoulder holsters have probably come under more scrutiny than any other style of carry.  There is an alarming history of negligently self-inflicted, and often fatal, gunshot wounds by wearers of shoulder holsters.

Once the preferred carry method of plain-clothes officers and agents, most if not all law enforcement agencies have prohibited it in the last decade. However, shoulder holsters are still being made, offered for sale, and used by many of concealed carriers. The internet is chock-full of shoulder holster debates weighing their good and bad points, as well as safety rules for anyone who chooses one as their method of carry. They are currently offered in three basic configurations; horizontal which places the muzzle pointed rearward, vertical which places the muzzle pointed downward, and 45 degree which places the muzzle pointed downward and rearward.

Anyone who chooses to use a shoulder holster should educate themselves on all aspects of this method of carry, and by all means, understand that it’s not a preferred method.