Question

A man carried a handgun for protection, but failed to register it. In the applicable jurisdiction, possession of an unregistered handgun is a felony. The man had little experience with firearms, and negligently carried the gun in a holster designed to fit a different handgun model. While the man was shopping for groceries one day, the gun slipped out of the holster, fell to the floor, and accidentally discharged. The bullet struck a fellow shopper, who died as a result of the incident. The crimes below are listed in descending order of seriousness. Which is the most serious homicide crime for which the man can be convicted?
A. Felony murder
B. Voluntary manslaughter
C. Involuntary manslaughter
D. No crime

Answer 1

Answer: C. Involuntary manslaughter

Explanation:

This is involuntary manslaughter because the man was negligent in the action that led to the death of the shopper. In other words, he did not mean to do it and it happened only because he wasn't careful.

This rules out murder because a killing has to be intentional to be ruled as murder. It also rules out voluntary manslaughter because the man did not mean to kill the shopper by his actions.