The accidental shooting in a NYC hosing project can be attributed in no small part to poor firearms handling skills:
“… “The strong assumption is that [Liang] had his finger on the trigger” as he and Landau, who did not draw his weapon, conducted a “vertical patrol” of the stairwell, according to a law-enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. “When you keep your finger on the trigger, it’s a lot more likely that you will fire accidentally if you are startled or frightened.” … Police Commissioner Bill Bratton conceded Friday that rookies shouldn’t be paired up for dangerous housing-project patrols. But neither of these issues was as cataclysmic as Liang’s apparent decision to keep his left index finger on the trigger of his 9mm Glock as he descended the pitch-black stairwell of one of the city’s most notorious projects, NYPD veterans and critics agree. “No one can tell a cop not to draw his weapon, but the one thing they do tell you is not to put your finger on the trigger unless you are firing. Otherwise, if you’re startled, there can be a grasping response,” the source said …”
What makes this less tragic and more infuriating is that it highlights the fact that the NYPD has known for decades that many officers lack even the most basic skills to handle firearms safely. That’s why they came up with the “New York” and “New York Plus” triggers for Glocks 20-something years ago. This is something city officials have turned a blind eye to for years. Unless, of course, they thought they could get some political mileage out of it. Speaking of which:
“… “I don’t believe he should return to law-enforcement capacity,” said Borough President Eric Adams, a former cop …”
Here’s a video Adams made a few years ago while in the State Senate. Jump to the 4:05 mark. He’s got his finger on the trigger while pointing the gun at his chest.