Posted on 08/15/2007 6:19:19 PM PDT by walkerk
The San Francisco rookie police officer who accidentally shot himself to death fired his weapon while displaying for a female friend how officers are taught to avoid having their guns used against them, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday.
The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. Saturday during a gathering of as many as 15 people at the San Mateo apartment of the 23-year-old officer, James Gustafson Jr.
According to those familiar with the incident, Gustafson was showing his Police Department-issued semiautomatic pistol after removing the clip that stores the rounds. He explained that there are ways an officer can disable a weapon in close proximity to keep it from being fired.
It apparently was part of a demonstration of the department's "weapons retention" procedures. However, there was still a bullet in the chamber.
Gustafson pointed the weapon at his neck and pulled the trigger, shooting himself, according to authorities.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Darwin award!
Yes, but you know only police should be allowed to have guns.
A friend of mine who lives in the city called the police one morning because a deer wandering through was hit by a car.
The cop put the gun against the deer’s skull at about 4 inches from the concrete. My friend pointed out that he may want to try shooting it at a bit of an angle so when the projectile rebounded off the pavement he wouldn’t catch it in the face or something. The cop ended up calling animal control to finish it off.
Remember kids: he was a professional - don’t try this at home.
My dad used to say nothing good ever happens after midnight.
One time I was clearing my pistol and dropped the mag and then pulled the slide back. I then reholstered and it occured to me the round never came out of the chamber. I looked and it was still in there. The extractor had failed and I still had a loaded gun which I thought was empty.
I’m a range safety officer for the IDPA and the other safety officers are the only ones who give me trouble when it comes time to clear weapons. The other competitors and especially the new members never give me half the trouble like the ones who should know better.
Was alcohol involved?
Prayers for the officers family. But you simply dont point a gun at anybody unless you plan to use it. And all guns are to be considered loaded even if you think they are not...is that not correct gun theory?
I saw a fellow get shot right in the center of the back of his neck by a .38. Not pretty, not pretty at all. Quarts of blood on the ground in seconds.
“I would guess that the guy was never around guns before he became a cop. Having grown up in a house full of guns and been taught the basics from the time I could walk, I can’t even imagine doing this. I could take the magazine out, check the chamber 10 times, and I would still probably be mentally unable to force myself to point a gun at my neck and pull the trigger..”
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Growing up in the same environment....I know EXACTLY what you mean. Hell.....I get the willies staring down the barrel of a completely unassembled firearm while cleaning it.
P.O.S.T certification malpractice.
Odds on favorite for Darwin Award of the Year.
Sad for him and his family and loved ones but better he not be on the street where he could have hurt a partner or a civilian.
snork......
ping
He obviously didn’t spend much personal time handling firearms. When I handle my semi-auto pistols, when I remove the magazine, it’s almost a reflexive action to pull back the slide to verify an empty chamber. This should ALWAYS be done when handing the pistol to another person if they want to look it over.
This guy had no business carrying a gun. Though tragic, at least he killed himself instead of someone else.....
I would guess that the guy was never around guns before he became a cop. Having grown up in a house full of guns and been taught the basics from the time I could walk, I can’t even imagine doing this. I could take the magazine out, check the chamber 10 times, and I would still probably be mentally unable to force myself to point a gun at my neck and pull the trigger
Well put.
Been there - Seen that. My friend’s boyfriend. Guess he thought he would impress us (a gruop of friends) by putting his seemingly unloaded gun to his head and pulling the trigger. One still in the chamber though - not pretty. I’m just thankful no one else was hurt or killed. And of course there was alcohol involved.
Hot lead, cold beer and testosterone are a deadly combination.
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