Accidental Discharge at Ohio Gun Collector’s show

[marca]

On Saturday someone fired a round at the OGCA gun show at the Robert’s Center in Wilmington, OH. 2 people were injured. Bullet apparently passed through someone’s thigh and then continued through another person’s butt. Some said it was fired through a bolt action 308 rifle by someone who walked up to a table and pulled the trigger. I have not heard any status on the people who were injured. They closed down the show long enough that I bailed and just came back on Sunday. A bit surprising considering how careful they are about checking and tie-wrapping guns.

[schmieg]

On Saturday someone fired a round at the OGCA gun show at the Robert’s Center in Wilmington, OH. 2 people were injured. Bullet apparently passed through someone’s thigh and then continued through another person’s butt. Some said it was fired through a bolt action 308 rifle by someone who walked up to a table and pulled the trigger. I have not heard any status on the people who were injured. They closed down the show long enough that I bailed and just came back on Sunday. A bit surprising considering how careful they are about checking and tie-wrapping guns.

Several rules broken there. Always open the bolt, the slide or the cylinder before doing anything with the gun and never pull the trigger when the gun is aimed in a dangerous direction, especially if there are people in that direction.

We're getting a lot of new people looking for guns that never had any experience or instruction. One state, I think it's WV, just passed a law requiring gun safety to be taught in schools. I think that is a good idea. They should bring back Drivers' Ed as well, based on how people seem to drive now.

[M-Quigley]

On Saturday someone fired a round at the OGCA gun show at the Robert’s Center in Wilmington, OH. 2 people were injured. Bullet apparently passed through someone’s thigh and then continued through another person’s butt. Some said it was fired through a bolt action 308 rifle by someone who walked up to a table and pulled the trigger. I have not heard any status on the people who were injured. They closed down the show long enough that I bailed and just came back on Sunday. A bit surprising considering how careful they are about checking and tie-wrapping guns.

Several rules broken there. Always open the bolt, the slide or the cylinder before doing anything with the gun and never pull the trigger when the gun is aimed in a dangerous direction, especially if there are people in that direction.

We're getting a lot of new people looking for guns that never had any experience or instruction. One state, I think it's WV, just passed a law requiring gun safety to be taught in schools. I think that is a good idea. They should bring back Drivers' Ed as well, based on how people seem to drive now.

I thought I had heard that you had to be a member or an invited guest of one to attend the show. I know someone who is a member and what I'm about to say is not a slight on the general membership, but in his case I get the feeling that if you aren't a member that you might as well be a complete newbie to firearms and safety.

As far as drivers ed, I too think it's a good idea, but looking at the accidents in my local area, the problem never seems to be that some people don't know what the correct way to drive is, what the safe way to drive is, it's that the rules don't apply to them personally. Come to think of it, I've seen that attitude with a few people in the firearms community also if they happen to be long time firearms owners, even some famous firearms instructors.

[Brian D.]

I thought I had heard that you had to be a member or an invited guest of one to attend the show. I know someone who is a member and what I'm about to say is not a slight on the general membership, but in his case I get the feeling that if you aren't a member that you might as well be a complete newbie to firearms and safety.

Your first sentence there is pretty accurate. Current rules state you have to either be a member, or invited guest of a member, to attend. You can only go as a guest twice, then you're obligated to join. Two members must sign you up.

For years, guests were allowed to look, but not purchase anything. That changed maybe 15-20 years back. The old system created crowded aisles containing a high percentage of literal "looky Lous", which probably hurt sales.

As to such guests not being firearms savvy, I can't say either way.