Churchgoer Tries to Hide Gun After Accidentally Shooting It Mid-Prayer
Source: Gawker
There are like, two places left in the United States where you have a reasonable expectation to not encounter gunfire (petting zoo, kindergarten graduation ceremony), and church is no longer one of them.
The Altoona Mirror reports that the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament's Easter mass was more wild than expected this year after "a legally carried handgun discharged in the pocket of an attendee," grazing his hand. It appears "a critical piece of the handgun apparently caught on the man's pants as he stood up," whereupon this unnamed man passed the gun to a friend, who attempted to hide it in his church program (as seen above). Trying to disguise a gun that's just gone off inside a church program is maybe the only thing more brazen than actually shooting the gun inside church.
Action 4 News in Pittsburgh adds that "It's unclear why he brought a gun into church."
Read more: http://gawker.com/churchgoer-tries-to-hide-gun-after-accidentally-shootin-1695947245
phantom power
(25,966 posts)Because he can.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)justhanginon
(3,290 posts)You can't get away from these idiots even in church. Paranoia runs amok among these gun crazies.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
3catwoman3
(23,975 posts)I shall be borrowing this.
stone space
(6,498 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,527 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,527 posts)ChairmanAgnostic
(28,017 posts)What the FUCK is any asshole doing with a gun in a church? Are the potential satanic forces that strong inside? Does tithing remind the gun-toting sinner of armed robbery, requiring the faithful sheeple to be armed and actually quite dangerous?
TeamPooka
(24,223 posts)safeinOhio
(32,674 posts)titaniumsalute
(4,742 posts)Umm...yup. OK.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)an' GOD might call upon you at ANY minute to mete out justice on his behalf (you know - cause an all-powerful entity has no powers of his own)
NoJusticeNoPeace
(5,018 posts)Sancho
(9,067 posts)People Control, Not Gun Control
This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
3catwoman3
(23,975 posts)I have read it before and thank you for posting it again.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)And while I don't mean to diminish them one bit, the folks that would actually live by them are probably fairly safe as it is. It's the ones who would think - I ain' gonna get caught. An' 'sides that, I ain't gonna do nuthin' what's stupid, so I ain't gotta worry 'bout it! All them purdy rules is fer those intellectooal rubes what ain' got no common cents!
Sancho
(9,067 posts)The carry permits and point of sale "checks" are a joke. It's time that people who are "not smart" should find it hard or impossible to possess a gun. I forgot #10 about accidental discharges. There should be a license. When this guy had an unsecured gun and accidental discharge, he should lose the license and guns so he could not participate in shooting. Simple.
If you had to present a license to buy guns and ammo, transport a gun, or use a gun while hunting, etc.; then the license would make it much harder for random stupid things to happen.
Plucketeer
(12,882 posts)but the worth of all the things you propose is in the ENFORCEMENT. Without credible, consequential enforcement - stupid things are still gonna happen.
Sure, with such rules in place, someone who accidentally or intentionally shoots another person will probably do time. But that'll be little comfort to the person who was the victim of unenforceable rules ignored by a scofflaw. Again, my observation is that laws are for the law-abiding. I admit I'm pessimistic when it comes to the use of tools designed to kill things. Even tho I learned to shoot with my dad's .22 - even tho I qualified as Expert Marksman" in the service of my country - I see guns as evil things. They were conceived as tools of death and that's how they've served us thru time. They weren't a necessary response to an epidemic of paper targets that threatened mankind.
Since I can see no REAL need for them to exist at all (anywhere), I see rules regarding their handling akin to making sure you know just how to pet your pet rattlesnake.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)confiscating guns outright, I know that won't happen, and your list is so incredibly sensible that no thinking person could possibly oppose it. Gives you a hint of what I think of those who oppose your requirements.
Somewhat more to the point of the OP, I'm constantly flabbergasted at these incidents, and they happen pretty much every day. I'm guessing only a fraction ever make the news. How dumb can someone who owns a gun be? Very dumb, apparently.
F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)Well put, I'm bookmarking for this.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)vkkv
(3,384 posts)It is similar to Australian law that I've read about.
Myself, as well, have thought about a need for guns to be insured, but in an accident - or worse, owner and shooter could be sued in court for damages anyway. And insurance won't pay for public / government costs.
As a rifle gun owner who is anti-handgun and anti-semi-automatic long-guns with large capacity magazines ( more than five rounds) I have posted the text below many times at varying open media websites::
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Guns don't kill people, going to movies does!
- The NRA, lobbying to bring more death and sadness to America's families at the taxpayers' expense* is our business.
(*Taxpayers expenses include but are not limited to: police hours, prosecutor hours, government vehicles and insurance, gas, vehicle repairs, prison food, prison clothes, chains, water, court costs, judges salaries, district attorney pay, court heating & electric, prison heat & electric, other court employees, jailer costs, public defenders, hospitalization, welfare to victim's families, property liability insurance, coroner fees, cremation fees and other associated costs relating to gun crime.)
Remember! Only CRIMINALS shoot people illegally with guns.
Legal gun owners like (insert name: JAMES HOLMES) aren't actually CRIMINALS UNTIL they shoot someone!
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)Only if one can demonstrate an actual need for one.
TeamPooka
(24,223 posts)Journeyman
(15,031 posts)And here are reports of gunfire at kindergarten graduation parties (one report turned out to be a brawl with no guns involved -- but there were clubs and a hammer swung) . . .
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/31/18657765-8-arrested-after-brawl-at-kindergarten-graduation?lite
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/nyasia-lawrence-teen-shot-at-kindergarten-grad-party-_n_3382915.html
Strange strange world we live in.
William Seger
(10,778 posts)alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Folks who tote aren't as law-abiding as they want us to think. There are plenty of discussions on the Internet of what to do - and not say -- when you screw up and shoot your gun and endanger people. There was even such a discussion in the RKBA Group here just a few months before another supposedly law-abiding gun toter killed unarmed Trayvon Martin.
Price we are forced to pay so gun fanciers can walk around with a gun in their pants.
Vinca
(50,269 posts)You never know when the old lady in the pew behind you will attack with the collection plate. Scary stuff.
eppur_se_muova
(36,261 posts)Paladin
(28,254 posts)Any notions of reluctant, regretful, had-to-do-it self defense have been thrown to the wayside by such an individual.
sarisataka
(18,633 posts)at the children's mass. I don't think they are actively hoping for a chance to use it.
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)sarisataka
(18,633 posts)they always carry
Skittles
(153,159 posts)Paladin
(28,254 posts)Totally different circumstances. But you knew that already, didn't you?
sarisataka
(18,633 posts)In law enforcement. But they do fall under 'anybody'...
I have also carried rarely due to my work schedule. I am not a LEO but I have much more training than both of the others. My life plan is no never fire at another human again.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)NRA excuses come on little 3 by 5 cards.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)raccoon
(31,110 posts)Maybe this man's family was feuding with another family.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)People like this are a good reason to bring a gun to church, since there might be some jerk with a gun there...
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)jtuck004
(15,882 posts)Gregorian
(23,867 posts)Mustellus
(328 posts).. where they arn't trying to kill me.
red dog 1
(27,797 posts)When assholes are outlawed, only outlaws will have assholes!
dembotoz
(16,802 posts)freaked the shit out of little old methodist me
i can understand the need for protection
trueblue2007
(17,217 posts)Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)where at any moment a crazed gunman may appear and he'll have to use his not-so-finely-honed gun-slinging skills to save himself.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)tblue37
(65,340 posts)ceremonies?
They carry at kids sports games--even elementary school aged soccer games! This guy carried his gun into church and it went off accidentally. If someone carries into a petting zoo or a kindergarten graduation ceremony, the same sort of accidental discharge is just as likely to happen.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)Probably on an undercover mission.
stone space
(6,498 posts)Skittles
(153,159 posts)because he is a stupid, paranoid, gun humping ASSHOLE