Gun Store Employee Accidentally Shoots Customer

[1MoreGoodGuy]

Copper County Sporting Arms Worker Accidentally Shoots Customer | TheBlaze.com

Posted on November 21, 2012 at 6:46am by Billy Hallowell Print »Email »

SILVER CITY, N.M. (TheBlaze/AP) — Authorities say an employee at a New Mexico gun shop was unloading a handgun when he accidentally shot a customer in the back, wounding him. While police haven’t released too many details, some of the developments have been discussed in local media.

Silver City Police Chief Ed Reynolds says an employee at Copper County Sporting Arms was unloading the .45 caliber handgun Tuesday when the weapon went off, shooting the man.

Emergency responders closed off the street in front of the shop so a medical helicopter could land. The helicopter then flew the man to an El Paso, Texas, hospital for treatment.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[SCXDm9]

Same as always.... it just went off!

[whoppo]

That's one 65 year old customer who's about to get some FREE GUNS and AMMO !!

[high pockets]

The comment below is the first reply on the web page listed above. What a great comment!

SecSpec88
Posted on November 21, 2012 at 9:33am

I spent 20 years in the military handling firearms. I still remember what my first firearms instructor taught me:
“There are zero accidental discharges every year. A firearm will only discharge for 2 reasons:
1. You meant for it to discharge.
2. YOU DID SOMETHING STUPID!!!”


I hope the gentleman that was wounded, recovers fully.

[rammerjammer]

Big woops!

And he negligently shot someone in the back, not accidentally.

[MrsHB]

Wow... shooting someone in the back with a .45, probably at very close range... this employee is VERY lucky he isn't facing charges for manslaughter.

I hope the poor victim makes a full recovery.

[Badey]

Yet another reason why I don't trust gun store employees' gun handling skills.

[NMB]

Keep your booger hook off the boom switch!

[suntzu]

Another reason not to force employers to allow employees carry guns. You would at least expect this guy to be competent.

[Hopyard]

That's one 65 year old customer who's about to get some FREE GUNS and AMMO !!

Maybe, but not everyone tries to get rich. I knew two people who had ample opportunity to
sue for megabucks but chose not to. In one instance the man was paralyzed by a surgeon's error.
The victim's son in-law is someone all of you have repeatedly seen on TV when the show needs a
lawyer. He told his son in-law, "look, that doc has been my friend all of my life and he is
still my friend and I'm not going to sue."

Another man, my dad actually, walked out a marked exit door and fell several feet to the ground because
there was no railing, no warning signage, no red or yellow paint, nothing at all to indicate that the other side
of the door was a drop off. The fall cost him his life eventually. He could have easily sued as his nephew
is (was then practicing) an attorney. Dad said no. He didn't even bother to put in a claim against
the owner's insurance. My mom or my sister or I could have sued after his death, but we honored his desire
to let it go.

I'm not saying either of the above two folks made the wisest choices, but they made choices which they
perceived as right in their minds. It is entirely possible that the man injured in this accident may
feel that the gun store owner is a friend, that the incident was indeed an accident, and that sometimes
bad stuff happens that shouldn't, and that's life.

I don't know the man, or the gun shop owner, and I wish them both well
as they go forward. I feel sorry for both of them.

I just wanted to make the point that not everything bad that happens necessarily leads to a huge settlement
or a law suit. Sometimes people try to keep peace.

[mprp]

I can certainly see why the investigation is ongoing.

[mg27]

Not good! Hope the guy comes out alive.

[1 old 0311]

That's one 65 year old customer who's about to get some FREE GUNS and AMMO !!

And a gun shop to go with it.

[TheConcealer]

Idiocy abound.

[ccw9mm]

... unloading a handgun when he accidentally shot a customer in the back ...

Sort of makes one wonder how many folks still question the use of that big lump 3ft above the butt.

C'mon, bipeds: the four basic gun safety guidelines ain't rocket science.

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it.

* Intended to be read by unfocused and unwitting who'll never even see this thread, of course.