I accidently shot myself last night. - Page 4

Kharn · December 20, 2001, 10:51 AM

When I dry fire my AR15, I sometimes practice with a USGI 20 or 30 loaded with snap caps and dummy rounds (bullet, but no powder or primer). To be safe, I use a Bushmaster 10 round mag, with red grip tape wrapped around the bottom, to hold my live rounds, even then I make sure that magazine is on the other side of the room before I practice. The dissimilar size, the color and the feel of the tape are a great help in preventing NDs, while making the magazine's location apparent should an emergency arise. I have found myself grabbing the Bushie mag when practicing reloading without looking, instantly coming back down to earth when I feel the tape. Of course, this strategy wouldnt help with a handgun magazine for obvious reasons.

Kharn

Marko Kloos · December 20, 2001, 11:01 AM

Atticus,

sorry to hear about the incident, and a quick recovery to you.

Thanks for posting your unfortunate experience....I, too, have an expended casing sitting on my desk, serving as a reminder how quickly one can change one's life (or that of someone else) irrevokably. This one is from a carelessly launched .30-06, fired through a bedroom window. Nothing was broken other than a $200 window and my pride, but it could have been *much* worse, considering how stupid I was at the time.

One thing about an ND...it will turn you into a gun safety nazi.

Oak '58 · December 20, 2001, 11:03 AM

Another great example of just how educational this site
can be. There are so many ways in our lives for complacency
to jump up & bite us in the butt, thanks for reminding us all
of the possible consequences. Heal quickly, treasure life &
move on, wiser by the day.

nipples · December 20, 2001, 12:24 PM

Would someone please post the safe gun handling rules for us so that this doesn't happen again. Thank you.

revolvergeek · December 20, 2001, 12:31 PM

Damn... Sorry to here that!! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

coati · December 20, 2001, 12:55 PM

to fess up to his errors amongst his peers. May your recovery be swift and complete. Lesson for me: always condition yellow around guns.

tstr · December 20, 2001, 01:08 PM

Marnie, my high-school sweetheart, and best my friend's sister, was killed by an AD. She was at home lying in bed reading a book. Her nine month old son was lying in the bed next to her. Her husband was in the living room watching TV.

Across the street in a different apartment complex, a young man was excitedly playing with his brand new AR14. With some foolish lack of thought, he chambered a round and for some reason even he couldn't explain, pulled the trigger. The bullet went through his wall, across the street, through the wall of her bedroom and into Marnie's brain. It killed her instantly. The baby wasn't hurt. Not directly anyway.

For a moment of stupidity, the young man spent time in jail and will never be allowed to own a gun again for the rest of his life. Marnie's husband and child both lost even more.

tstr

eviltravis · December 20, 2001, 01:40 PM

I'm very sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you recover quickly. At least it was only a finger.

Crimper-D · December 20, 2001, 01:40 PM

Atticus: Glad you survived, hope your recovery is complete.

Thanks for the wake-up call, and your courage to post the gory detales.

Ledbetter · December 20, 2001, 01:47 PM

1. All guns are loaded all the time. Treat them as such.

2. Never point the muzzle of a gun at anything you're not willing to destroy.

3. Be absolutely sure of your target and your backstop before shooting.

4. Before dry-firing a gun, check it THREE times to be sure it is empty. Never have any ammo or loaded mags in the same room with you. Observe muzzle safety at all times, but particularly with your first "dry" shot.

5. Always secure your firearms when they are out of your sight.

jimmy · December 20, 2001, 01:54 PM

Atticus--best wishes for a speedy recovery. I appreciate your and the other posts here, because they teach a valuable safety lesson. Although I try to be conscientious and careful where guns are concerned, I'll be even more careful now. Thanks.

RWK · December 20, 2001, 02:01 PM

Hope you heal quickly and painlessly -- Roy

USP45 · December 20, 2001, 02:02 PM

Nipples,

Scroll to the very top of this page, and follow the "firearms safety" link.

~USP

BogBabe · December 20, 2001, 02:07 PM

Actually, there are plenty more than 4, but the 4 cardinal rules (Known as Col. Coopers Four Rules of Gun Safety) are (paraphrased):

1. Always assume that all guns are always loaded, until you have personally checked it yourself.

2. Never allow the muzzle to cover anything you're not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

4. Positively identify your target and what's around and behind it before pulling the trigger.

gyp_c2 · December 20, 2001, 02:55 PM

Yow...sorry to hear about that. Best wishes for a complete recovery...

I have to disagree with some of the others...Not required to have a ND...ever...just don't do it...and don't ever stop with the basic safety stuff...ever...

Bottom Gun · December 20, 2001, 03:09 PM

Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.

Thank goodness you weren't putting your gun into one of those thunderwear holsters when this happened.

Incursion · December 20, 2001, 03:10 PM

I am sorry to hear about your accident, but am glad that you posted it. This is a real eye-opener. I always thought it was strange that I get butterflies in my stomach when I handle firearms, but now I am glad that I get a little nervous. Strict adherence to the four rules should be paramount. This will definitely make me a safety nazi.

The statement that everyone has reiterated in this thread is disturbing. Do not play into the hands of the antis.

Hippie · December 20, 2001, 03:32 PM

In spite of it all it could have been MUCH worse. Gods speed in your recovery.

ATTICUS · December 20, 2001, 04:04 PM

Quote: "I have to disagree with some of the others...Not required to have a ND...ever...just don't do it...and don't ever stop with the basic safety stuff...ever..."

gyp_c2: That was EXACTLY what went through my mind when I read a similar thread here at TFL a few months back. EXACTLY!
I would have bet my house, and ten years pay, that it would never happen to me. I am very serious. And THEY are very wise.

Until Tuesday night I was a safety benchmark.

Coronach · December 20, 2001, 04:14 PM

I think we need to fom a support group:

"Hi, my name is Mike, and I've been Negligent-Discharge free for 5 years..."

Dude, sorry about your hand, and I wish you a speedy recovery. At this point I must ask the obvious question: how badly is your wife taking this?

Mike

FPrice · December 20, 2001, 04:22 PM

Allow me to add my sympathy to you along with the other people on the forum. I am sorry that this happened to you but glad that it was as relatively minor as it was. I am sure that no gunshot wound can be considered minor, but yours comes close.

I'll add a prayer for a speedy recovery and a better year in 2002.

LBC · December 20, 2001, 04:24 PM

Atticus -- sorry to hear about the accident. Thanks for posting. I hope your physical therapy goes well, and that you put a lot of effort into it. I'm sure you'll be back in the swing of things before you know it!

loknload · December 20, 2001, 05:21 PM

Holey Moley

Sorry to hear of your mishap

Hope you are on the mend real soon.
Just goes to show, That no matter how long we have been at this, We can never be to careful!
Accidents Happen, Let's be Careful Out There

ATTICUS · December 20, 2001, 05:46 PM

Mike: Things don't look promising on the wife front (understatement).

I'll have to play this one verrrry carefully.

Picture this - Me (arm in cast, on knees) surrounded by wife, mother-in-law, sister -in-laws, my mother, my daughters, and three of my wifes friends, all chanting, 'See what happened, we told you they are dangerous' You almost shot your eye out.' Don't you even care about your children?" "You must destroy them (the guns) before they destroy you'.

Well, maybe that's an exaggeration.... but close.

The negotiations taking place in Kabul will look like childs play compared to these.

Grumpy · December 20, 2001, 05:48 PM

Jesus!
As much as WE talk, write and think about safety
ACCIDENTS do happen. Thank the Lord all you have
is a reminder of a momentary lapse of concentration. Best wishes for the New Year
and a speedy recovery.

December 20, 2001, 11:01 AM	#77
Marko Kloos Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2000 Location: Enfield, NH Posts: 5,521	Atticus, sorry to hear about the incident, and a quick recovery to you. Thanks for posting your unfortunate experience....I, too, have an expended casing sitting on my desk, serving as a reminder how quickly one can change one's life (or that of someone else) irrevokably. This one is from a carelessly launched .30-06, fired through a bedroom window. Nothing was broken other than a $200 window and my pride, but it could have been much worse, considering how stupid I was at the time. One thing about an ND...it will turn you into a gun safety nazi. __________________ "The right to buy weapons is the right to be free." --A.E. Van Vogt, The Weapon Shops of Isher the munchkin wrangler.

December 20, 2001, 11:03 AM	#78
Oak '58 Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 113	Another great example of just how educational this site can be. There are so many ways in our lives for complacency to jump up & bite us in the butt, thanks for reminding us all of the possible consequences. Heal quickly, treasure life & move on, wiser by the day. __________________ Oak ------------------ "Skeptical scrutiny can separate deep insights from deep nonsense."

December 20, 2001, 12:24 PM	#79
nipples Junior Member Join Date: December 8, 2001 Posts: 8	Safe gun handling rules Would someone please post the safe gun handling rules for us so that this doesn't happen again. Thank you. __________________ } }

December 20, 2001, 12:55 PM	#81
coati Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2001 Location: Just outside the beltway, VA Posts: 288	It takes a real big guy to fess up to his errors amongst his peers. May your recovery be swift and complete. Lesson for me: always condition yellow around guns. __________________ coati

December 20, 2001, 01:40 PM	#84
Crimper-D Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2001 Location: The Bearflag Republic Posts: 579	Oh WOW! Oh OW! Atticus: Glad you survived, hope your recovery is complete. Thanks for the wake-up call, and your courage to post the gory detales. __________________ "It is evident that scepticism, while it makes no actual change in a man, always makes him feel better.".....H.L.Mencken

December 20, 2001, 10:51 AM	#76
Kharn Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,531	When I dry fire my AR15, I sometimes practice with a USGI 20 or 30 loaded with snap caps and dummy rounds (bullet, but no powder or primer). To be safe, I use a Bushmaster 10 round mag, with red grip tape wrapped around the bottom, to hold my live rounds, even then I make sure that magazine is on the other side of the room before I practice. The dissimilar size, the color and the feel of the tape are a great help in preventing NDs, while making the magazine's location apparent should an emergency arise. I have found myself grabbing the Bushie mag when practicing reloading without looking, instantly coming back down to earth when I feel the tape. Of course, this strategy wouldnt help with a handgun magazine for obvious reasons. Kharn

December 20, 2001, 12:31 PM	#80
revolvergeek Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2001 Posts: 289	Damn... Sorry to here that!! Hope you have a speedy recovery.

December 20, 2001, 01:08 PM	#82
tstr Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 233	Marnie, my high-school sweetheart, and best my friend's sister, was killed by an AD. She was at home lying in bed reading a book. Her nine month old son was lying in the bed next to her. Her husband was in the living room watching TV. Across the street in a different apartment complex, a young man was excitedly playing with his brand new AR14. With some foolish lack of thought, he chambered a round and for some reason even he couldn't explain, pulled the trigger. The bullet went through his wall, across the street, through the wall of her bedroom and into Marnie's brain. It killed her instantly. The baby wasn't hurt. Not directly anyway. For a moment of stupidity, the young man spent time in jail and will never be allowed to own a gun again for the rest of his life. Marnie's husband and child both lost even more. tstr

December 20, 2001, 01:40 PM	#83
eviltravis Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2001 Location: montana Posts: 283	I'm very sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you recover quickly. At least it was only a finger.

December 20, 2001, 01:47 PM	#85
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	There's actually more than four. Here's four good ones. 1. All guns are loaded all the time. Treat them as such. 2. Never point the muzzle of a gun at anything you're not willing to destroy. 3. Be absolutely sure of your target and your backstop before shooting. 4. Before dry-firing a gun, check it THREE times to be sure it is empty. Never have any ammo or loaded mags in the same room with you. Observe muzzle safety at all times, but particularly with your first "dry" shot. 5. Always secure your firearms when they are out of your sight.

December 20, 2001, 01:54 PM	#86
jimmy Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 1999 Location: Texas Posts: 1,796	Atticus--best wishes for a speedy recovery. I appreciate your and the other posts here, because they teach a valuable safety lesson. Although I try to be conscientious and careful where guns are concerned, I'll be even more careful now. Thanks.

December 20, 2001, 02:01 PM	#87
RWK Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 1999 Location: Occupied Virginia Posts: 2,777	Hope you heal quickly and painlessly -- Roy __________________ __________________ Μολών λαβέ!

December 20, 2001, 02:02 PM	#88
USP45 Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2000 Location: Peoples Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,562	Nipples, Scroll to the very top of this page, and follow the "firearms safety" link. ~USP

December 20, 2001, 02:07 PM	#89
BogBabe Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2001 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 565	Actually, there are plenty more than 4, but the 4 cardinal rules (Known as Col. Coopers Four Rules of Gun Safety) are (paraphrased): 1. Always assume that all guns are always loaded, until you have personally checked it yourself. 2. Never allow the muzzle to cover anything you're not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. 4. Positively identify your target and what's around and behind it before pulling the trigger. __________________ "We are free not for the collective, not for utility, not for practicality, not for beauty or divinity or dignity or art. We are free because we cannot be otherwise, ever, no matter what. We are free because we cannot be chained by anyone without our consent." --Greg Swann, Let 'em eat steak

December 20, 2001, 02:55 PM	#90
gyp_c2 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2000 Location: Colorado...Louisiana Posts: 387	Yow...sorry to hear about that. Best wishes for a complete recovery... I have to disagree with some of the others...Not required to have a ND...ever...just don't do it...and don't ever stop with the basic safety stuff...ever... __________________ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>g2<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< AVERT

December 20, 2001, 03:09 PM	#91
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. Thank goodness you weren't putting your gun into one of those thunderwear holsters when this happened.

December 20, 2001, 03:10 PM	#92
Incursion Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2000 Location: TX Posts: 803	I am sorry to hear about your accident, but am glad that you posted it. This is a real eye-opener. I always thought it was strange that I get butterflies in my stomach when I handle firearms, but now I am glad that I get a little nervous. Strict adherence to the four rules should be paramount. This will definitely make me a safety nazi. The statement that everyone has reiterated in this thread is disturbing. Do not play into the hands of the antis.

December 20, 2001, 03:32 PM	#93
Hippie Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2001 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 203	In spite of it all it could have been MUCH worse. Gods speed in your recovery.

December 20, 2001, 04:04 PM	#94
ATTICUS Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,100	Quote: "I have to disagree with some of the others...Not required to have a ND...ever...just don't do it...and don't ever stop with the basic safety stuff...ever..." gyp_c2: That was EXACTLY what went through my mind when I read a similar thread here at TFL a few months back. EXACTLY! I would have bet my house, and ten years pay, that it would never happen to me. I am very serious. And THEY are very wise. Until Tuesday night I was a safety benchmark. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain

December 20, 2001, 04:14 PM	#95
Coronach Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 1999 Posts: 3,147	I think we need to fom a support group: "Hi, my name is Mike, and I've been Negligent-Discharge free for 5 years..." Dude, sorry about your hand, and I wish you a speedy recovery. At this point I must ask the obvious question: how badly is your wife taking this? Mike __________________ The axe bites into the door, ripping a hole in one panel. The maniac puts his face into the hole, cackling gleefully, "Here's Johnny...erk." "And here's Smith and Wesson," murmurs Coronach, Mozambiquing six rounds of .357 into the critter at a range of three feet. -Lawdog "True pacifism is the finest form of manliness. But if a man comes up to you and cuts your hand off, you don't just offer him the other one. Not if you want to go on playing the piano, you don't." -Sam Peckinpah "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein

December 20, 2001, 04:22 PM	#96
FPrice Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2000 Location: People's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Posts: 1,456	Atticus... Allow me to add my sympathy to you along with the other people on the forum. I am sorry that this happened to you but glad that it was as relatively minor as it was. I am sure that no gunshot wound can be considered minor, but yours comes close. I'll add a prayer for a speedy recovery and a better year in 2002. __________________ Frosty Price "No matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Banzai

December 20, 2001, 04:24 PM	#97
LBC Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2001 Posts: 385	Atticus -- sorry to hear about the accident. Thanks for posting. I hope your physical therapy goes well, and that you put a lot of effort into it. I'm sure you'll be back in the swing of things before you know it!

December 20, 2001, 05:21 PM	#98
loknload Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 1999 Location: PA. USA Posts: 1,869	Holey Moley Sorry to hear of your mishap Hope you are on the mend real soon. Just goes to show, That no matter how long we have been at this, We can never be to careful! Accidents Happen, Let's be Careful Out There

December 20, 2001, 05:46 PM	#99
ATTICUS Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,100	Mike: Things don't look promising on the wife front (understatement). I'll have to play this one verrrry carefully. Picture this - Me (arm in cast, on knees) surrounded by wife, mother-in-law, sister -in-laws, my mother, my daughters, and three of my wifes friends, all chanting, 'See what happened, we told you they are dangerous' You almost shot your eye out.' Don't you even care about your children?" "You must destroy them (the guns) before they destroy you'. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration.... but close. The negotiations taking place in Kabul will look like childs play compared to these. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain

December 20, 2001, 05:48 PM	#100
Grumpy Junior Member Join Date: November 5, 2000 Posts: 13	Jesus! As much as WE talk, write and think about safety ACCIDENTS do happen. Thank the Lord all you have is a reminder of a momentary lapse of concentration. Best wishes for the New Year and a speedy recovery. __________________ Sursum Corda