No politics, but just a slice of online life. Pass on if not interested.
Been reading and occasionally posting to a site called “The truth about guns”. While it was interesting about firearms and some gear, it was also very vocal in advocating all firearms all the time. Carry during the day, carry at home in the evening, have a piece at the bedside.
What got me going is that the Rep legislature in WV, passed a bill (fed to them by the NRA) that removes the requirements for training and a lic to carry. It is a copy of multiple other bills in other states. I called it the “Arm the Felon” Act as anyone who wanted a lic could get it easily and only those who had a record would be denied. Now, with no penalty for not having a lic, anyone can and will be carrying; no restrictions, no training, no understanding of the law. Being DEEP into the gun area of WV, I can say that NO ONE demanded the change in law. And many I speak to say its nuts.
Ok, fine. Now, are those who mishandle, store or brandish a firearm going to prosecuted when they violate existing statutes governing such things? Each state has such laws on the books for safe storage, brandishing and accidental/negligent discharge. This is the question I posed in the forum. If they want the right to carry a gun, will they take the responsibilities and penalties that go with it? And usually the answer is no. So no more restrictive gun laws are needed, but we won’t enforce those on the books as when a woman is shot by her 4 yr old son from the back seat of her truck or a man reaches in his pocket for a shopping list in WalMart, accidentally pulls out a gun and it falls, going off or any number of children finding loaded handguns laying around and shoot the wall, mom, brother, neighbor or themselves.
Sensing that I may be upsetting the delicate flowers of that forum, I wrote the Admin , stated my views and said if they thought it was disruptive to have other, non group think opinions; I would quietly desist.
Went to the site this morning and found I was “blocked” by Wordfence firewall. Looking at the browser cookies; found 2 from the site from the Australian host; I guess from when I posted. Removed cookies and I could get back on; but I have gotten NO response from my note. No, “You may be right and it might be best to cool it a while…” type of thing. Nothing. So, I’ll refrain from visiting. Cowards.
Anyway, found a better one.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/
R
Looks like the Texas Mom/gun advocate whose 4 yr old kid got her gun in the truck and shot her may go to jail.
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“Capt. Gator DeLoach revealed the details of the department’s investigation at a press conference yesterday, including how the toddler ended up with a loaded handgun while his mother, Jamie Gilt, drove the truck:
The investigation revealed that Jamie placed the gun, which was not in a holster, under the front seat of the truck. Sometime during her drive the gun apparently slid back to the rear floorboard, below where her four year old son was seated in a booster seat. According to family members, the child recently learned to unbuckle his seatbelt. Investigators discovered the child removed himself from the seat, presumably to grab a toy from the floorboard, saw the gun, picked it up and accidentally fired through the rear of the driver seat, striking Jamie. The bullet struck her in the back and exited through her chest.”
The 31-year-old mother could be charged with unsafe storage of a firearm, which is a misdemeanor in the state, carrying a penalty of up to 180 days in jail.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mom-shot-toddler-driving-florida-charge_us_56f2c55ae4b02c402f65f
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The article states that the gun, legally owned,is a Springfield XD Compact. In .45.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Springfield-Armory-XD-M-Compact-Pistol/1172303.uts
A a polymer pistol with the safety on the trigger + a grip safety. Neither hard enough to stop a 4 yr old. So Mom puts Jr. in the backseat in a car seat. Hops in the front, takes her pistol out of her purse or off her hip holster (because its uncomfortable) and puts under the seat. Drives away. Start, stop, accelerate and the gun slides into the rear seat floorboards. Jr. has learned how to unbuckle his belt. gets down and sees the gun. Mommy has played with it, he has seen it at the “range” (per her FB page). Jr picks it up and pulls the trigger, and Mom is ventilated. While driving. Jr. could have just as easily pointed it out the window at a passing car.
Can you count the crimes? A misdemeanor? Maybe for Texas but I think reckless endangerment. Also Child Endangerment. Protective services are investigating while the kid stays with relatives. Good.
All in all, a mess based on stupidity.
R