Which statute addresses homicide by negligent handling of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire?

• A. 940.01
• B. 940.02
• C. 940.08
• D. 940.03

Answer: (C)

This question tests a specific homicide offense that focuses on the chain of events when death results from negligent handling of something dangerous. The statute in question makes it a crime to cause a death by carelessly handling a dangerous weapon, an explosive, or a fire. The key idea is that the person did not intend to kill, but their lack of reasonable care with a dangerous item led to someone's death.

To understand why this fits, think about the elements: there must be a death, a dangerous weapon, explosive, or fire involved, and the death must result from negligent handling of that item. Causation is needed—the negligent action must be what caused the death. This distinguishes it from offenses that require intent to kill or other forms of homicide that arise from different mental states.

For example, if someone leaves a loaded weapon where a child can access it, or uses fireworks near a building in a careless way and someone dies, this statute would apply because death followed from negligent handling of a dangerous item. The emphasis is on negligence with dangerous instruments leading to fatal harm, not on a purposeful act to kill.