Bangor police chief accidentally shoots self with new duty weapon

[The Straight Story]

BANGOR, Maine — The city’s new police chief was cleaning his newly issued weapon Monday afternoon and apparently shot himself in the hand, according to a press release issued by a city official Tuesday.

Chief Mark Hathaway, a 25-year veteran officer who was selected as the city’s chief in April, and other officers had just returned from training with their new guns in Brewer when the shooting took place.

“At approximately 5:15 p.m., while officers were cleaning their new guns at the Bangor police station, Chief Mark Hathaway sustained a non-life threatening injury to his left hand in what appears to be an accidental discharge of his duty weapon,” City Manager Cathy Conlow said in the statement.

Lt. Tim Reid is investigating the shooting. Messages left for Reid and Hathaway were not returned Tuesday.

Hathaway was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment and later released, the press release states.

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/25/news/bangor/bangor-police-chief-accidentally-shoots-self-with-new-duty-weapon/

[Democracyinkind]

1. I have to ask again

How can you possibly shoot yourself while cleaning a gun?

It either happens before, or after cleaning it. Granted, all my knowledge of firearms comes from military training so I'm no expert. But I always took "shot himself while cleaning his gun" to be code for "had a stupid accident and is now using the standard excuse"...

Or am I that ignorant? Is it actually possible?

[NightWatcher]

2. First rule of gun cleaning. Unload the weapon

Second rule. Unload the weapon.
Third rule. Are you sure you unloaded the weapon.

[Democracyinkind]

3. Can you actually effectively clean a weapon without unloading it?

My training says NO.

[NightWatcher]

4. How to fire a shotgun. Rule one. Put big toe inside trigger guard

Having been able to break down and clean weapons blindfolded, I snicker when I hear about gun cleaning oops.

[Democracyinkind]

6. I'm totally ignorant as to shotguns.

Never disassembled one myself or even seen one disassembled.

[hobbit709]

5. "Put the bullet back in your pocket Barney"