Incidents like this played a hand in the development of the M-16. Being our first side-ejection service rifle, they actually considered the number of injuries and deaths mostly caused by left-handers getting pelted with hot brass.
Don't know if they considered that with the M1 or M14, but anyone can tell you that .30 cal brass will leave a hell of a mark! You gotta have discipline to let one of those fry!
