Sad story from PA

[Pfletch83]

http://www.fox28.com/story/20295161/...t-pa-gun-store

The dad had an ND....sad part is his 7 year old kid was hit in the chest.

Just a reminder to everyone that owns any firearm to always follow the four rules...the worst part is the anti-gunners are going to jump on this with both feet.

[whippoorwill]

the worst part is the anti-gunners are going to jump on this with both feet.

Well, that really isn't the worst part, I hope you'd agree. But, we know what you're saying. My heart and prayers go our to the affected family members.

[Pfletch83]

True the worst part is that the kid died.

But what I meant was that the Anti-gunners are most likely going to swoop down from their perch like the vultures they tend to be and use the body of this kid as a banner for their agenda.

[AH.74]

man's handgun went off while he was holding it as he got into his truck....Joseph V. Loughrey, 44, was getting into the truck when the 9 mm handgun discharged...

And once again, it's always the same. The gun went off, the gun discharged. It's all the gun's fault.

Why was he walking around with it in his hand, with his finger on the trigger? It's unbelievable.

[Apom]

I'm less afraid of being killed by a burglar late and night..and more worried about accidently being shot by the redneck across the street from me. Apparently he just got his GED so now he's good to go.

Lets get some type of system in place to screen people. We need to weed out the idiots who can own firearms.

[scrubcedar]

Sorry, I have to disagree with you the country boy down the street doesn't worry me. The city boy one house down scares the crap out of me though. When people start talking like there should be some sort of test to make sure you are"worthy" of owning a gun that scares me worse than either of them. How many people inadvertantly hit children with their cars? Should we have much stricter laws about who gets to drive? How strict would they have to be to to eliminate the fatal risk? You simply cannot legislate enough things to eliminate the risks that come with living.
This is heartbreakingly sad. Period.

[youngunz4life]

this is a very sad story. It is hard for me to understand how this man could think there was none in the chamber, BUT I understand that this does happen many many many times. One man died beause he tested his semi-automatic in front of his friends explaining that once he drops the magazine it is safe?!?!(this was pretty recent news).

I like revolvers. They were my first love, but one of the reasons was because I was cautious. The double action was one example. I spent time in the military with rifles amongst other things....I learned how easy weapons can go off when they are cocked. There have been and will be more threads about debates on the issue(s) of certain weapons; this was just my 'story'.

There is no getting around that this is an extremely tragic, distressing event. Everyone's family is different: some are supportive and others cast blame. I know this man is probably beside himself with depression and being distraught. I can't imagine what he is going thru...one of my nightmares is losing a child of mine but to be involved with the incident is unthinkable.

My prayers are with the boy and family.

[geetarman]

You simply cannot legislate enough things to eliminate the risks that come with living.

I have never seen it said better or more succinctly.

[Apom]

Actually I'm all for a national requirement to test drivers. I commute daily on I4 in Orlando and there is a accident almost every other mile during my commute during the day on straight runs on the highway. If there so much a sprinkle during the day or night..I might as well stay home becuase someone has been killed and I'll be stuck in traffic.

As for the person who's afraid of city boys. I grew up in NYC and never felt scared without a gun or bazooka or tank. Moving to Florida and now I'm worried walking my dog alone at night.

I like this comment though.. "You simply cannot legislate enough things to eliminate the risks that come with living."

If you cannot even attempt to legislate it for this reason alone..then in turn there is no reason to carry concealed as you simply cannot eliminate every risk to your life at any given moment.

More people are killed by guns stolen from actual gun owners, then people killed by "illegal guns" that sneak in across the border. I'm all for gun rights..but it needs to be moderated and controlled..or we will lose it. Just to many stupid people filling up this country.

Note: I'm okay with regulation because I have no criminal record of any sort. I'm fully aware that if I was arrested for any sort of offense I would not want regulation because it may hinder my ability to own one.

2nd Note: I think Bob Costas is a moron. I don't agree with him. I just believe not everyone should own firearms. Just like I believe a guy in a wheelchair shouldn't be a firefighter.

[Onward Allusion]

I am truly sorry for the man and his family, but why was he handling the gun as he was getting into the truck? Why wasn't it holstered and in his pocket, strapped to his hip, in his waistband, or some other method of securing to his person???

[Pfletch83]

That is a very valid question.

One could also ask why he had his finger inside the trigger guard with the muzzle facing his child?

[scrubcedar]

Apom I'm not trying to get in a flame war with you here but let me disagree again.
I was in trauma nursing for 20 years, part of it in ER's, part of it in an internationally known spinal cord and Brain injury rehab hospital. I have seen up close and personal what damage a car can do in ways the average joe can't imagine in his nightmares.
I wouldn't want to be a part of more stringent testing for drivers. Very little of the time was the drivers( or person who caused the accidents) skill a problem. The judgement involved was the problem. "I knew I was going too fast but I was going to be late"," I was showing off for my buddy",these sorts of things.

I've read a lot of medical research about tests to know if your head injury patient has regained his ability to correctly judge whether his actions are appropriate to know that there simply isn't an objective test for good judgement. Until there is we are stuck.

[kobes31]

ND = negligent discharge????

[Pfletch83]

yep

[youngunz4life]

That is a very valid question.

One could also ask why he had his finger inside the trigger guard with the muzzle facing his child?

It is disheartening because he told the authorities he didn't think one was in the chamber so-to-speak, but he should never have had it facing his son.

someone mentioned a holster; whether right or wrong, he might have not had one. It is all speculation but a chest shot? that sounds like maybe he pointed the weapon at his son while maybe putting it in the center console or something. I guess he had a light trigger pull weapon or it was in single action...

[5.56RifleGuy]

Sad news for the family. Sorry to hear it.

[5.56RifleGuy]

"Just to many stupid people filling up this country."

That comment sounds a bit elitist to me. If you feel the need for increased firearms regulation, you could move back to NYC where they have enough rules to keep you safe.

[Nickel Plated]

Apom,

Who exactly will set the standard for "idiots who can't own firearms"?
Keep in mind that if we get the wrong person in charge of something like that (and we usually do) you may very well end up being one of those idiots who shouldn't own firearms. Doesn't matter that you're not a criminal. It's not hard for them to make you one if they wanted to.

I'm okay with regulation because I have no criminal record of any sort. I'm fully aware that if I was arrested for any sort of offense I would not want regulation because it may hinder my ability to own one.

And that's exactly the issue we as gun owners currently have. If it doesn't affect you personally, then it's OK. Regardless of how many other people get screwed over.
"Another AWB? Fine with me if it gets the antis to shut up (it won't). Not like I even own an AR or AK. All I need is my bolt-action to hunt."

There's a pretty famous saying that kind of applies here:

First they came for the socialists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

Lastly;

but it needs to be moderated and controlled..or we will lose it.

This seems kind of backwards to me considering the fact that regulation and control is specifically how we have lost most of our rights so far.

[jasmith85]

I hear people complain all the time about someone getting mad when they point a knowingly unloaded gun at them. This story is exactly why I completely agree with those people getting mad. You never know when you're going to run into this idiot that thinks his loaded gun is unloaded.

[ripnbst]

Originally Posted by jasmith85

I hear people complain all the time about someone getting mad when they point a knowingly unloaded gun at them. This story is exactly why I completely agree with those people getting mad. You never know when you're going to run into this idiot that thinks his loaded gun is unloaded.

I agree, if gun owners were jerks about people pointing guns at them, whether it be buddies, strangers in gun shops, I don't care who, then I HONESTLY think we'd see less of this. Today people are all "man you were really harsh on him, you don't want him to be discouraged from the shooting sports"

I say let him be discouraged until be can handle a firearm safely. The world needs to know that gun owners are jerks about people pointing guns at them, loaded or otherwise.

[5.56RifleGuy]

It is possible to tell someone not to point a gun at you, or do something else unsafe without being a jerk about it. I would say its more effective that way also.

[Mr. James]

DLiller, precisely so. You can act decisively without acting abusively.

As to Apom, well, forum rules prevent me from responding as I might. Suffice it to say, the right of self defense is not a writ from government. It is a right the inheres in us as men. In fact, it is a right inhering unto every living creature. It is a right that predates the Constitution and the Magna Carta. And no government rightly usurps that right.

[Fishing_Cabin]

At this time, I dont think there will be a solid answer on how to prevent this type of tragedy...

Go to a gun show, and you will here a constant complaint of "why do we have to zip tie our firearms?"

If I go to the majority of the retailers who sell firearms, they want to ensure the firearm is unloaded before its handled, but yet the customer complains "dont you trust me?"

Both are reasons why I tend to deal with smaller home based FFL's and avoid the rest when possible. It has to do with attitude, and ensuring everyones safety. Its also a reason why I tend to avoid public ranges as well.

[JohnKSa]

Many people think that the safety rules are only about preventing an incident in the present, but that's only part of it. Practicing muzzle control religiously is done to ingrain the behavior so that even when you know the gun is unloaded, you know it can't fire, you're tired, you're distracted, etc. you STILL control the muzzle automatically as the result of a lifetime of doing it right. Same thing with trigger finger discipline.

So don't fall into the trap of telling yourself (or letting someone else tell you) that the gun isn't loaded and so the safety rules don't apply right now. Otherwise, we will probably be reading about you one day...

[Fishing_Cabin]

JohnKSa,

You said it better then I did in my response... Thank you.