Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Infamous Anti-gun Sheriff Shoots Himself in the Hand While Cleaning his Gun (Looks like Barney Fife)
Buzzpo ^ | December 19, 2015 | Eric Reed

Posted on 12/21/2015 6:49:08 AM PST by upbeat5

DES MOINES, Iowa – A fairly well-known anti-gun sheriff seems to have shot himself in the hand on Wednesday night while cleaning his firearm.

Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone negligently discharged a round into his left hand, and was subsequently transported to the hospitals emergency room. His injury has been described by medical personnel as non-life threatening, but a hand surgeon was called in to assist.

According to the Iowa Firearms Coalition, Johnstone has advocated for more and more gun-free zones. But perhaps Johnstone is most well-known for his statement from 5 years ago.

When Iowa’s concealed carry law went from “may issue” to “shall issue,” Johnstone campaigned diligently against the change. He predicted ‘Wild West shootouts,’ and called it “A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.”

Well, here we are five years later, and Johnstone’s ‘Wild West shootouts’ never happened. However, there may be some truth to the lawman’s statement. If all gun owners were irresponsible enough to negligently shoot themselves, it might have been “A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.” Fortunately, that doesn’t happen because most gun owners are trained and responsible.

I’d like to recommend the sheriff take one of those gun safety classes that Iowa concealed carriers have to take. He might learn something. In the meantime, I’m leaving a few pointers below for the Sheriff to read during his recovery.

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; conceal; crime; firearms; instantkarmababy; iowa; johnstone; mike; sheriff; wounded
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last
To: upbeat5
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

I remember telling my oldest son. The minute you unload a gun, it always reloads itself. Treat it as if it is always loaded! "You'd be surprised how many people are killed by unloaded guns".

21 posted on 12/21/2015 7:05:33 AM PST by DungeonMaster (2John11 = shun democrats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: circlecity
My bet is he was playing with the weapon and after shooting himself resorted to the old “I was cleaning it” excuse.

Yep.

22 posted on 12/21/2015 7:08:42 AM PST by Riley (The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

Don’t you have to pull the trigger to take down a Glock?


23 posted on 12/21/2015 7:08:59 AM PST by gop4lyf (Gay marriage is neither)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DungeonMaster

RULE III only applies when target shooting.


24 posted on 12/21/2015 7:12:10 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5
"RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET"

I was always taught a second half to that rule: "Be sure of your target and what's behind it"

25 posted on 12/21/2015 7:13:07 AM PST by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: The_Victor

Exactly! It can’t be done.


26 posted on 12/21/2015 7:17:37 AM PST by nobamanomore
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

27 posted on 12/21/2015 7:19:53 AM PST by null and void (I've been to Switzerland. I liked it, the flag's a big plus!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gop4lyf
Yes, you have to pull the trigger. I have cleaned my Glock plenty of times. The first step, where you unload and confirm and visually confirm an empty gun, precludes an undesired resulted to pulling the trigger. I also don't know why you would need to push the barrel into your hand while you are doing that.

I watched another management LEO on a tv news piece talking about the "dangers" of Glock handguns. His story was so implausible that he made himself look like a fool.

The one thing I don't like about the Glock is the lack of a hammer, and only for the reholstering evolution. It is nice to have a hammer to rest your thumb on when pushing the gun into the holster. If something is interfering with the trigger, you can feel the hammer move and know you have problems. Cleaning a Glock is not an issue, except for the careless.

28 posted on 12/21/2015 7:21:15 AM PST by USNBandit (Sarcasm engaged at all times)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: OKSooner
This must be Monday, December 21st, "The Jokes Write Themselves" day.

It's the solstice, the day light starts to win over darkness.

29 posted on 12/21/2015 7:22:39 AM PST by null and void (I've been to Switzerland. I liked it, the flag's a big plus!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

I’d pay up for a video. It wouldn’t even have to be as “instructive” as Tex Grebner’s.


30 posted on 12/21/2015 7:28:28 AM PST by Stentor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

I believe it was George Nonte who many years ago opined that most police are not firearms enthusiasts. To them, a sidearm is just a tool of the trade, like a pen. They don’t shoot recreationally, and as a consequence, don’t gain the familiarity with their guns weekly shooters do. Of course, this also suggests that most of them can’t shoot worth a hoot in hell, either...


31 posted on 12/21/2015 7:28:46 AM PST by W. (Make that rubble BOUNCE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

Burlington is just across the river from me. This guy does not have a stellar reputation. Wrecked his squad a few months ago.


32 posted on 12/21/2015 7:38:52 AM PST by CrazyIvan (Hey Pope Francis- The Gospels are not Matthew, Marx, Luke and John.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pearls Before Swine

Nope, it wasn’t dry - and it got a LOT wetter (and redder).


33 posted on 12/21/2015 7:42:30 AM PST by ManHunter (You can run, but you'll only die tired... Army snipers: Reach out and touch someone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Yashcheritsiy; Impy; fieldmarshaldj; stephenjohnbanker; GOPsterinMA; BillyBoy; sickoflibs; ...

“...anti-gun sheriff seems to have shot himself ...”

Gee, Sheriff... Karma really is a bitch, ain’t it...

Aim high, I always say.

:^)


34 posted on 12/21/2015 7:44:50 AM PST by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: null and void
He should have been nipped in the bud.

Nip it! Nip it! Nip it in the bud Andy!

35 posted on 12/21/2015 7:45:58 AM PST by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

” His injury has been described by medical personnel as non-life threatening”

It would have been life threatening if he had shot himself in the ass.


36 posted on 12/21/2015 7:46:58 AM PST by Rannug ("all enemies, foreign and : domestic")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: upbeat5

See post #35.


37 posted on 12/21/2015 7:47:07 AM PST by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: circlecity

My hunch as well...

Or some other iteration of the excessively unnecessary gun handling, unloading/loading, clearances etc. prescribed by hoplophobic chiefs of police and city attorneys for the sake of “safety”...

The service pistol our good buddy “Barney” carries should be placed in holster and there remain until he removes his uniform at the end of the day, and go into safe storage or whatever mode of overnight his department directs...

NDs are the result of unsafe gun handling, and too many NDs of unnecessary gun handling...If someone you don’t know offers to “show” you their gun, run away...


38 posted on 12/21/2015 7:55:04 AM PST by elteemike (Light travels faster than sound...That's why so many people appear bright until you hear them speak!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: JayAr36

LOL


39 posted on 12/21/2015 7:59:03 AM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s, you weren't really there....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: lacrew

Had to be put up in a tent with a bunch of 1st Cav
chopper pilots at a firebase once.

This Capt kept playing with his 45 and sure enough
it went off and put a round about 2 feet from my cot.

I always wondered how that guy made Officer.


40 posted on 12/21/2015 8:05:00 AM PST by Harold Shea
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson