Pistol Fires at Event for Rep. Barr

AP ^

[Lazamataz]

ATLANTA (AP) - An antique .38-caliber pistol accidentally discharged as it was being handled by Rep. Bob Barr ( news, bio, voting record) during a reception in his honor. The bullet hit a glass door, and no one was hurt.

Georgia lobbyist Bruce Widener said Tuesday that he had removed the magazine from his 1908 Colt but did not clear the chamber before handing the weapon to Barr, a board member of the National Rifle Association.

Widener said "one of us hit the trigger" just as he gave Barr the gun during Friday's reception at Widener's home.

"Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded," said Widener, an independent lobbyist. "I am thankful Bob was careful to always keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction."

Through a spokesman, Barr said: "This accident only underscores the importance of proven gun safety measures, especially when owning and handling antique firearms."

Widener had opened his gun cabinet to Barr and others at the reception and acknowledged that it is unsafe to store a loaded weapon there.

Barr is locked in a tight Republican primary with fellow incumbent John Linder in Georgia's redrawn 7th Congressional District. Barr has tied his NRA endorsement closely to his campaign.

Of the gun accident, Linder said: "The first time you hear this, it's funny. But it's not funny. The guy's a loose cannon. I've been around guns a lot. I just don't pick up other people's guns."

[PRND21]

"Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely...

Apparently not.

[rs79bm]

uh-ohhh, I can see the anti-gun freaks jumping all over this one ................

[Darth Reagan]

LOL. Barr's an idiot (regardless of whether this is evidence of it).

[dighton]

"Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded."

Gag me with a .44.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Sheesh. Close call.

This news could very well have ended up under "Darwin Awards!"

[Lazamataz]

With friends like this, we need enemies???

[anymouse]

It looks like Rep. followed the first rule of gun safety - the gun is always loaded, especially when you are certain that it is empty. A glass door can be replaced. A shattered life lost due to careless weapons handling can not.

[mewzilla]

Is it too late to nominate them for a Darwin Award?

[Howlin]

Georgia lobbyist Bruce Widener said Tuesday that he had removed the magazine from his 1908 Colt but did not clear the chamber before handing the weapon to Barr, a board member of the National Rifle Association.

Laz, even I know better than this!

[Robert357]

Another reminder that "accidents" happen to anyone no matter who they are or where they are at.

As they say, treat every gun as if it were loaded until you have personally checked to make sure it is not. When handing a firearm over to another, open the chamber and verify that it is empty (carefully controlling the direction of the barrel.) When accepting a firearm, open the action and carefully verify that the firearm is unloaded.

As an NRA member,maybe the members should require all Board members of the NRA to pass a basic firearms safety course, prior to assuming the Association elected office?

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Here

and Here

[usastandsunited]

"We were handling it safely"

momma always said to treat every gun as if its loaded

[Lance Romance]

Seven day waiting period on congressmen.

[anymouse]

Slimmy quote from Barr's opponent, Linder. Bet Linder is a nanny state gun grabber. The only time he would "handle" some one elses gun is when he was confiscating it, or pulling a Barney Frank.

[dirtboy]

Seven day waiting period on congressmen.

Or, better yet, a Brady Bill check on congressmen, and don't seat ones who fail the background check...

[housethatruthbuilt]

reminds me of the "suv crashes into house" the other day.

[semaj]

Check this thread out: BAD WEAPONS HANDLING

[Lazamataz]

The search function does not work well, apparently.

[Fzob]

Georgia lobbyist Bruce Widener said Tuesday that he had removed the magazine from his 1908 Colt but did not clear the chamber before handing the weapon to Barr, ....

...."Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded," said Widener, an independent lobbyist.

Good Lord Bruce, just fess up a tell everyone your a bloody idiot. No one is buying the above nonsense.