Man Accidentally Kills Self With Gun During Demonstration On Gun Safety

[SunSeeker]

A man from Independence Township, Michigan accidentally shot and killed himself on Monday while teaching his girlfriend about gun safety, the Oakland Press reports.

The 36-year-old, whose name has not been released, was showing his girlfriend how his three handguns are safe when they aren’t loaded, according to the Detroit Free Press. He was attempting to demonstrate the safety of the handguns by holding them to his head and pulling the trigger.

The third gun fired, and the man was struck in the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

...

This isn't the first time a gun safety demonstration has gone wrong. In January 2013, 18-year-old Florida resident Alexander Xavier Shaw died doing a similar demonstration. Richard M. McLean, a 22-year-old from Michigan, died in a similar fashion in June 2012. Missouri resident James Looney, 40, was also teaching his girlfriend about gun safety when he shot himself in the head in September

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/man-shoots-himself_n_4853983.html

[grahamhgreen]

1. Here's the classic example where a cop shoots himself in front of a class:

[SunSeeker]

3. Yes indeed, I thought of that video when I saw the Huffpo story today.

Don't try that at home, kids.

[Paolo123]

4. lol.

"I'm the only one professional enough to carry a Glock 40" Bang.

I think the fact that he said that makes it even worse. I have a Glock 40, lots of people have Glock 40's. There is nothing particular about them compared to other guns except that they are double action only with no safeties. To anyone not a moron that is inherently safer than guns with safeties. Like with revolvers, a glock fires when you pull the trigger (if it's loaded). Lot's of accidental deaths due to dumbasses who think "the safety was on" and then pull the trigger.

Anyway, none of that changes the fact that you need a license to take a .30-30 into the woods to shoot a deer (something I'm against) but these jackasses want people walking around cities with handguns and not have to have a license or training.

[grahamhgreen]

15. I know, I felt bad for laughing! Thankfully he did not shoot one of the kids!

[mikeysnot]

2. Yes, we don't need no competent means testing for owning firearms...

just sell them like candy, let Darwin sort them out....

At least he didn't hurt anyone else with his stupidity.

The girlfriend must be terribly distraught.

His guns once again didn't keep himself safe.

[BrotherIvan]

11. Exactly

Gunners can't see past their own interests to understand that this is one of the major concerns. There are a lot of very stupid people out there. People who should not be able to buy/carry/use a deadly weapon. If I want to drive, I have to take lots of tests and be licensed. That is the most lethal thing I own and its intention is not killing people. How much higher should the threshold for owning a gun be?

And for the gunners that will shortly be all over this thread, how is it that so many people cannot realize the gun is loaded? Isn't that something the gun manufacturers should fix post haste? Design guns so one can tell at a glance there is a bullet in the chamber. Seems like LOTS of accidents could be avoided this way.

[SunSeeker]

13. So many people are killed and maimed by "unloaded" guns.

Yet simple solutions like you suggest will not even be contemplated by gun manufacturers. They have no financial incentive to do so. Dubya exempted guns from product safety laws. http://mediamatters.org/blog/2012/12/19/why-isnt-the-media-discussing-the-unprecedented/191910

[BrotherIvan]

16. And we always hear it was just an accident

Never point a loaded gun, blah blah blah. Doesn't every toddler know this? Doesn't every git learn this as safety 101? But it happens, all the time, by highly trained people like the cop in the video above, or gun safety instructors. And why am I surprised that fake cowboy baby bush was all about protecting the gun manufacturers?

Perhaps states that are getting serious about gun control, like California, can start to make these requirements. Being able to sell something in a large state such as that usually brings a design change. Car manufacturers only make changes when they have to. There are so many safety laws that can be put into place without "restricting the 2A". I would think every responsible gun owner would push for as many as possible as the anger and resolve of control freaks such as myself grows. An indicator going from black to red when there is something in the chamber. It doesn't have to be complicated.

But every time restrictions are resisted by the NRA and gunners, we see that this isn't just about self-protection or home protection. This is about easy access, the right to own as many guns as possible, the right to own ever more powerful, destructive weapons. The right to buy as much death as possible, thereby restricting the right to life and safety of everyone else.

[mikeysnot]

19. I like the idea of the sensor.

An LED light would all it takes in the grip, but I fear that would still be too much "gun grabbing" for some...

[BrotherIvan]

20. But isn't that the problem? Gunners screeching about their rights

Gunners can talk all they want about how everyone loves guns, but I highly doubt that is the case. A majority favors some kind of gun control, but our bought off legislators don't have the guts to take on the NRA.

Safety measures should be built in just as with cars. Gun owners must also take extreme safety precautions with their deadly weapons. It's not really too much to ask and it doesn't violate their "2A rights to be armed". It's gotten so out of control, with the extremists calling the shots and the rest of society shaking their heads and wondering why the hell nobody does anything.

[mikeysnot]

21. the gun nutters limited "understanding" of the second amendment...

Amendment II

... the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

[BrotherIvan]

22. I know, but I feel like there's a whole lotta room in those words

And gunners are the most tenacious cage fighters I've ever met on the internet. The cold, dead hands thing is absolutely true. I've never seen so much zealous devotion. Rather chilling if you ask me. Surprised they let this thread alone.

[mikeysnot]

23. the weirdo ones have left I think, haven't seen their stupid responses for a while now..

this is the actual quote, I have heard stated and type in forums on other sites...

"When I show up to an argument with my gun, I WIN"

[BrotherIvan]

25. Holy...

I really suspect there is a mental component to this need for guns. That's why it's often synonymous with wingers and fundies and faux news. They have ginned up so much fear and hate, the only answer is a gun at all times. I wish there was a way to make people feel empowered, manly, cared for enough that they don't have to carry a gun to feel significant.

[mikeysnot]

26. and then project that fear on to others that want

sane gun regulations....

[BrotherIvan]

27. In the end, they will lose

Just like the fundies, they are a small but vocal group. People are sick of their shit and they're sick of senseless death. I don't want to get shot going to the store/mall/work by some loon whose wife left him or whatever craziness he has dreamed up. Gunners keep trying to convince us that guns are less evil than cars, or it's all suicides, or blah blah blah. But people have woken up and they're tired of reading about the most senseless, horrific killings. I don't give a damn if hundreds of thousands of people no longer have their "hobby" if it means that toddlers won't be shooting each other in the face. I don't care if it's just one kid. It's so ridiculous that we accept that in this country.

[enough]

5. Each one of these guys shot himself in the head while "teaching his girlfriend." (nt)

[Enrique]

6. that's according to the girlfriend

I assume the police did at least minimal investigation to come to the conclusion that they believe her, but the story doesn't say anything about it so I wonder...

[Sweet Freedom]

7. I think that's a pretty safe assumption

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. But guns are soooo easy to use and safe! lol (Or so I hear from gun lovers) nt

[eppur_se_muova]

9. CLUE: Never point a gun at your own head.

Even a *blank* is lethal from that distance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon-Erik_Hexum#Death

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. I was so sad when Jon-Erik died.

[BrotherIvan]

12. Unfortunately, Brandon Lee was shot by another actor in a scene

who has had to carry that guilt his entire life. On set there are armorers who are in charge of all weapons. They are supposed to be highly trained. In this case, the blank was improperly loaded and fragments of a bullet from another scene were still in the barrel. Just goes to show that even the most expert person can make a mistake and that guns are always too dangerous. They are made to kill and that is what they do.

[GreenPartyVoter]

17. Yes, I had remembered he had died on set, but had thought it was in

a similar manner as JEH until I checked Wikipedia and was reminded of the circumstances you mention.

Such tragedies.

[BrotherIvan]

18. Very sad

All these needless accidental deaths just pile on, not to mention the massacres and other violence. It's just too much.

[Hoyt]

14. Fact is, gun owners are not as responsible, safe, and law-abiding as they want us to believe.

[mikeysnot]

24. and unfortunately they demonstrate that every day

...