First and foremost, we're thankful that Matthew Cardenas wasn't injured more seriously by the stray bullet that hit him.
But secondly, we can't help but think of the unfortunate mishap as a teachable moment for every gun enthusiast.
The 7-year-old boy was playing at Hover Park in Finley on Saturday when he was shot in the thigh, most likely by an errant bullet fired from a target-shooter's rifle.
The human thigh is a dangerous place to penetrate. Matthew might not have survived if the bullet had struck his femoral artery instead of muscle.
Benton County sheriff's officials have since announced plans to step up patrols around the area, and that's good.
But ultimately, safety is each shooter's responsibility.
The Second Amendment guarantees the right to own firearms. Human decency requires that once you acquire a firearm, you use it safely.
The National Rifle Association's report, "Firearm Safety In America 2009," estimates that one child a week is killed accidentally by a firearm in the United States.
It's a small number -- and one that gun control advocates dispute -- but the real tragedy is that nearly every accidental firearm death can be prevented.
If you own a gun, take a safety course. If it's been decades since your last class, take a refresher.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife regularly offers hunter education courses that cover firearm safety. There's one scheduled in Kennewick on April 5, but new ones are offered all the time. Home study courses are also available.
For more information, contact the agency's Eastern Washington office in Ephrata at 509-754-4624. Or direct your internet browser to Fish and Wildlife's website at wdfw.wa.gov.
The NRA offers safety tips on its website and schedules safety courses at various locations in Eastern Washington. Call 1-800-672-3888 for more information.
Thousands of Mid-Columbia residents love to shoot and hunt. Accidents are rare, and that's a testament to the safe practices most gun owners employ.
But Matthew's injury is a reminder that accidents don't have to happen.
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