Posted on 01/19/2013 4:18:57 PM PST by Theoria
A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with bird shot accidentally discharged Saturday when the owner opened its case at a gun show at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, injuring a retired sheriff's deputy and two other people, police said.
The gun owner, a 36-year-old man from Wilmington, North Carolina, was carrying the weapon through security at the show entrance and was unfastening the case on a table, authorities said. The owner planned to sell the shotgun at the show.
The deputy suffered a slight injury to his hand and was treated and released at a local hospital, said Joel Keith, chief of police of the North Carolina State Fair.
A 54-year-old woman from Benson, North Carolina, was being treated a wound to her right torso at a local hospital, and a 50-year-old man from Durham, North Carolina, was treated for an injured left hand, Keith told reporters.
"I want to emphasize that this is an accident," Keith said.
Wake County sheriff's investigators and the local prosecutor will determine whether to file charges against the shotgun owner, authorities said.
Detectives began interviewing the owner shortly after the 1 p.m. shooting, authorities said.
Sheriff Donnie Harrison said he was unsure whether it was legal to bring a loaded gun on state fairgrounds.
However, when the state fair is held in October, it is illegal to bring a loaded gun to the fairground because of the large crowds, authorities said.
Investigators will consult with the Wake County district attorney's office about Saturday's incident, the sheriff said.
"This is state property. That's something we're looking into," Harrison told reporters. "It's early right now."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Terrible. It should have never happened, but accidents do happen. Ever been to the emergency room to get your hand or finger stiched up after you cut yourself with a kitchen knife?
My question ... why was the shotgun loaded?
Great! More ammunition to stop gun shows.
Accidents happen. Negligence is violation of rule 1.
Is this the second one today? Things are looking a bit suspicious!
RALEIGH, N.C. At least two people were injured Saturday afternoon in an apparent accidental shooting at the gun show being held at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Emergency crews responded to the scene shortly after 1 p.m., and two people were loaded into ambulances.
A witness told WRAL that a gun went off after being checked by an official at a safety check-in location, hitting a man in the hand and a woman in the side.
Valid question. As I noted, it should have never happened. You don’t bring a gun to a show that hasn’t been thoroughly saftey checked!
Two in one day? Something smells here.
No, I think they are the same event. I didn’t see the earlier posting. Everything is under a microscope these days anyway.
Already posted. But, according to this article, it was the Police Officer that accidentally discharged the bullet.
Too bad you can’t be arrested for being stupid.
Yes, backwoods-engineer started the thread. He said he has a source verifying it was a LEO.
“Some stupid cop puts his booger hook on the bang switch when he’s unloading a pistol. Yes, it was a cop; I have a source who was 50 ft away when it happened. WHY would somebody bring a loaded pistol into a gun show anyway? Why not unload in your car, or at least before getting in line? Why hand a LOADED pistol to a COP, who are well known for not following the 4 rules?”
A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with bird shot accidentally discharged Saturday when the owner opened its case
A shotgun is an object. It does not do anything “accidentally.”
Someone screwed up.
LOL. Settle down there, Skippy.
Well, we should ban all police officers then. You know they carry semi automatic weapons and have access to clips that hold many bullets. And many of those bullets are made of lead which could harm children, should they come into contact, God (can I still say that with out offending some person?) forbid.(sarc).
While this should not happen, the bigger question is IS THIS NATIONAL NEWS WORTHY? 3 very minor injuries.. now I wonder how much damage thugs did in Chicago today, both with and without guns.
Because there aren’t enough jail cells for all the Zero voters.
Skippy? Haven’t been called that in over 60 years. LOL!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.