Can't Fix Stupid: Accidental Discharge at ILLINOIS Gun Show

[Timothy]

This weekend, my future SIL was admiring a recent purchase.  A NIB Ruger SR9c for 200 bucks....

Anyway, he started off well, removing the mag from a handgun that I knew was unloaded and handed it to me butt first.  Instinctively, I rechecked the chamber and even stuck my pinky in there to ensure it was unloaded.  I played with it for a short while and gave it back, butt first, slide locked back for inspection.

After that, he repeatedly, haphazardly, swept the muzzle in my direction while he was inspecting the weapon.  I need to have another talk with him.  Regardless of the condition of any firearm, avoiding sweeping the muzzle is a dangerous direction is good practice.  I NEVER sweep the muzzle at anyone, EVER!

[mkm]

My mom got it in her head that she wanted a pistol back before Thanksgiving.  While I was home for Thanksgiving my brother and I took her shooting, and she got to wanting one even more.  Well, we decided to get her a S&W Model 60-9 for Christmas.  Before we even brought ammo for it into the house, I made her practice safe handling with it and check to see if it was loaded everytime she got it out or someone handed it back to her.  She got a little frustrated with me because there was no way that it was loaded (no ammo around), but she understood that "it's always loaded" and checked it everytime.  I was a little worried about getting her one (don't trust her at all with a knife), but she did well.  She actually shot it really well.

Accidents happen, but there is no excuse for what happened at that gun show.  Way too many people don't check firearms before "playing" with them these days.

[Timothy]

There is never a time to become complacent to proper handling of firearms. 

"They are all loaded until you prove otherwise."  EJ Bevins 1919-1989

[WatchManUSA]

Amen, brother!!

BTW, your store in Circle Pines has a VERY nice range.  We shot there for qualification when I took my NRA Pistol Instructor Course.

I work at the other store.  Our range is only 25 yards and is much older.  The North range is much nicer.

[cookie62]

I have never been at a gun show in Il. that you didn't have to zip tie all guns with the action open. I have been to shows at this place and it has always been that way when I have been there. Somebody f**ked up!

[Sponsor]

[mortdooley]

 In Houston in the 1980s there was at least one sick individual that cruised the gun shows and would put one live round in displayed handguns. No one was ever seriously hurt and it was never reported if anyone was ever caught.

[kmitch200]

It appears, the gun "handling" rules we, and previous generations grew up with obeying as LAW, has slipped into a level of complacency.

Amazing how this crap can be avoided, if we just remember what our parents and grandparents taught us.

Very true for gun handling and so many other aspects in life.
We would not be in the mess we are in now as a country if some simple rules and some damn common sense weren't so uncommon.

[Solus]

In Houston in the 1980s there was at least one sick individual that cruised the gun shows and would put one live round in displayed handguns. No one was ever seriously hurt and it was never reported if anyone was ever caught.

I wondered if this had happened to this guy, but since the gun discharged when he was putting it back down, he is to blame for not checking it as soon as he picked it up.

Unless, perhaps, HE is the guy putting live rounds in the chamber and he screwed up putting it down....

[tombogan03884]

A while back at least one Henry .22 rifle came from the factory with a round in the chamber.
Apparently it (or they ) had been test fired and not properly cleared.
Like others have posted, ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED.

[JC5123]

I had an uncle pass away a few years ago. My parents inherited his (large) gun collection. Being equipped to do the work they brought them all to me first, so that I could clean all of them and make a few repairs. (new recoil pads, slings, simple stuff) As I was unpacking the 63 rifles, shotguns, and pistols, I was of course checking them. EVERY ONE NOT ONLY HAD A ROUND IN THE CHAMBER, BUT WAS FULLY LOADED!!!!!

I can't remember how much ammo I unloaded that day, but it was a lot. I have noticed this trend with many of my elders. Their attitude is that "if it isn't loaded, it doesn't do you any good" Makes me think that this is why we are always told that every gun is loaded.

Then again, these are people that knew how to handle guns. They grew up with them as being a necessary tool of life. Still, it surprises me that there weren't more A.D.