The timing could have been worse, although it’s hard to see how. Talk about giving ammo to the antis . . . “A portion of the American population celebrated Gun Appreciation Day by attending guns shows across the country,” Greta McClain at digitaljournal.com reports, “resulting in some of the attendees perhaps appreciating paramedics and first responders more than guns, at least temporarily.” See what she did there? Well, here’s what they did at three—count ’em three—guns shows yesterday, via the more sanguine Wall Street Journal . . .
Three people were injured in Raleigh, N.C,, at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show at the state fairgrounds, a quarterly event that usually draws thousands of people. State agriculture department spokesman Brian Long said a 12-gauge shotgun discharged as its owner unzipped its case for a law enforcement officer to check at a security entrance.
Two bystanders were hit by shotgun pellets and taken to a hospital. A retired deputy sheriff suffered a slight hand injury . . .
In Indiana, police said a 54-year-old Indianapolis man was injured when he accidentally shot himself while leaving a gun show.
State Police said Emory L. Cozee was loading his .45 caliber semi-automatic when he shot himself in the hand as he was leaving the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife show at the state fairgrounds. Loaded personal weapons are not allowed inside the show . . .
authorities in Ohio said a man was wounded at a gun show in Medina when a gun dealer was checking out a semi-automatic handgun he had bought and he accidentally pulled the trigger.
The gun’s magazine had been removed from the firearm but one round remained in the chamber, police said.
No deaths resulting, but the bad PR from these negligent discharges could help derail attempts to derail the trend towards civilian disarmament, leading to more deaths. So . . . bummer.
Still, it must be said: someone else’s lack of responsibility whilst exercising their Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms shouldn’t affect your rights. That’s not how it’s suposed to work, is it?