Florida man shoots himself in the face while loading rifle.

[The Backlash Cometh]

Who loads a rifle with the butt on the ground?

BRADENTON, Florida — A Southwest Florida man is recovering after accidentally shooting himself in the face while trying to fight off a skunk.

Daniel McDaniels, 31, was at a friend's house Friday when he spotted the skunk. He grabbed a .22-caliber rifle and began loading it with the butt of the rifle on the ground.

Manatee County Sheriff's deputies said McDaniels didn't know the gun already had a round in it when he accidentally tripped the trigger, setting off the gun.

The bullet pierced the fingers of his right hand and entered his left cheek. His injuries are not life-threatening.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/os-man-shoots-face-skunk-20101003,0,3843719.story