No charges in gun show shooting

[onehandle]

A shooting at the Tanner Gun Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart last week was an accident and no charges will be filed, according to Adams County officials.

Investigators said that about 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, Joshua Hertzler was looking at a gun on a display table at the gun show and when he began handling the gun, it accidentally fired.

A bullet hit his friend of 20 years in the upper body. The friend is listed in good condition, said Adams County DA spokeswoman Krista Flannigan.

The investigation continues into other aspects of the case but the DA's office is offering no other details.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14765829

[CBGLuthier]

1. Accident? No. Negligence. yes.

Some idiot put a loaded weapon on a table for another idiot to fondle.

Accident is not the word I would use to describe that set of events.

[proteus_lives]

2. Ban accidents.

[cowman]

3. Meanwhile back

on the ranch were Molly was doing Roy

[Glassunion]

4. Wow, friend of 20 years.

The friend is listed in good (but really pissed off)condition, said Adams County DA spokeswoman Krista Flannigan.

[Mike K]

5. Whoever is responsible for that weapon -

- being loaded should be charged with criminal negligence. But there still is no excuse for the shooter who allowed the muzzle of a firearm to point at someone and for pulling the trigger.

Incidents of this nature emphasize the need for more control over firearms. Not controls governing ownership but controls that impose a requirement for an appropriate level of training prior to owning or even handling guns in a store or at a show. Because lack of training is the main cause of all gun accidents and misuse.

The existing situation is analogous to issuing driver licenses with no driver training requirement. The consequences are predictable.

[PavePusher]

6. One of the few things I hate about gun shows...

is the abysmal lack of safe handling. Far to many people seem to go in with the attitude of "all the guns are unloaded, so I can toss The Four Rules out the window. They don't check for loaded condition when handed a gun, I can't remember how often I get muzzle swept, scoped or see people dry-firing in random directions. No, it's not the majority, but it's farther from 0% and closer to 50% than I like to think about.

I swear the next time it happens, I'm going to club the offender with the firearm they are handling.

O.K., I've vented and feel better now. Sorry for the rant... :banghead:


P.S. Most states have no training requirement for a driving licence, that I know of. Not sure that's a good analogy. And there are far fewer firearms accidents than vehicle accidents.

[Mike K]

8. Interesting!

I was not aware that any state issued a driver license without testing. Thank you for bringing me up to date on that.

When my father taught me to drive in New York in 1953 I had to have a Learner's Permit (Cost me three bucks). Then, in 1954, I had to take a written test and a road test to get my first driver license.

After moving to New Jersey in 1983 I had to take a written test and a road test to get a NJ driver license -- and I failed both of them! I missed two questions on the written and I demonstrated "carelessness" when pulling out of the lot. Luckily a sympathetic manager at the Motor Vehicle Bureau (an ex-Marine) passed me when I complained and showed him my military license which qualified me to drive up to 5 ton vehicles and operate an 18-ton tractor (bulldozer).

When I was stationed in North Carolina in the mid 50s I got a NC driver license by just paying two dollars and showing my expiring New York license. I really don't know what would have been required if I didn't have the NY license.

I don't recall what I had to do to get another New York license when I came home but I don't think I had to take another test.

It occurs to me that relative traffic density probably accounts for the testing requirements because NY and NJ have exceptional traffic density levels, at least the worst I've ever experienced.

[PavePusher]

9. We seem to be talking about two different things.

For drivers licences, every state I know of requires testing. I don't recall any that require training.

[aikoaiko]

7. The fours rules apply in gunshows.

1. All guns are always loaded (until you establish whether they are or not).
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction at all times: on the range, at home, loading, or unloading {OR AT GUNSHOWS}
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target (and you are ready to shoot).
4. Be sure of your target. Know what it is, what is in line with it and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you haven't positively identified.

[TPaine7]

10. Gun safety should be taught in school and the shooter should be charged. n/t