Some of us learn the hard way, your not alone, and I feel like I should tell you of my AD, had one once myself.
I was 21 years old, walking the crick on the side of a bank, and surprised a big woodchuck. I pulled my Ruger single six out, (had the 22 mag cylinder in it) thumbed back the hammer and drew a bead on him. The chuck scuried down the bank before I could touch her off, I was watching the chuck to see where he'd stop, and this whole time my hammer is still back...I went to steo over some dead fall, WITH MY HAMMER back and FINGER ON THE TRIGGER, and miss stepped while trying to get accross that dead tree, and the gun went off. Kicked up dirt right in front of me, good thing the gun was pointed down. I checked my boots to make sure there wasn't a hole in one of them.
I'm 49 years old, I will never forget this as long as I live, it's almost like it happened yesterday.
Never told Dad of course, he would have kicked my butt for that, he always was drilling me on safety.
Thought I'd fess up.
I've been pretty safe since then, I guess something like that stays with you a long time.
Jimster