America celebrates "gun appreciation day" at gun shows with flags, slogans, accidental shootings

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**Ouze**

2 sources.

5 accidentally shot at gun shows in North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana
By Vignesh Ramachandran, Staff Writer, NBC News
Five people were wounded in accidents at gun shows in North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday, according to authorities.

In Raleigh, N.C., authorities said three people were wounded when a loaded shotgun accidentally discharged at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

Officials say Gary Lynn Wilson, 36, was having his shotgun checked before entering the show when the incident happened. He was unzipping his 12-gauge shotgun's case when it accidentally fired birdshot pellets, hitting three people, The News & Observer in Raleigh reported. Wilson was planning on privately selling the gun at the show, according to NBC affiliate WNCN.

The three victims, Janet Hoover, Linwood Hester and Jake Alderman, were hit, respectively, in the right torso, left hand and right hand, WNCN reported. They were taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Witness Daniel Peadan told WNCN he was about to enter the building, when he heard a loud pop: "The people right there at the door, a lot of them ran ... They scattered because it was chaotic."

"This was an accidental discharge," said Brian Long, a spokesman for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, in a statement.

The show closed early Saturday because of the shooting, according to The News & Observer. When the show reopens Sunday private gun sales will not be permitted, but only sales by licensed dealers at the show are allowed, Long said. By Saturday evening, the event's website clearly stipulated: "No personal firearms are to be brought into the show."

The Wake County Sheriff's Department is investigating Saturday's incident, and it's not clear yet whether there are pending charges, according to Long.

In Medina, Ohio, an exhibitor at a local gun show was opening a box containing a gun when the weapon went off, striking his partner, who was sitting next to him, NBC station WKYC of Cleveland reported.

The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries in the arm and thigh and was taken to a hospital.

Police told WKYC the shooting was accidental, and a man who attended the show had sold that gun to the exhibitor.

In Indianapolis, state police said a 54-year-old man was loading his .45 caliber semi-automatic gun when he shot himself in the hand, The Associated Press reported. The victim, Emory L. Cozee, had been leaving the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife show at the state fairgrounds, officials told the AP. Loaded personal weapons are not permitted inside this show, according to the AP. Cozee was hospitalized. Police told the AP no charges will be filed and the shooting was accidental.

These incidents all happened on the first "National Gun Appreciation Day," which was organized by Political Media, a Republican consulting firm.
In Raleigh, police say around 200 gun-rights supporters marched around the legislative building in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, The News & Observer reported.
Across the country Saturday, there were similar rallies by gun-rights advocates. In Brooksville, Fla., about 1,000 people gathered holding signs like "Stop the Gun Grabbers," Reuters reported. In Denver, just miles away from the scene of the July 2012 movie theater massacre, about 500 people were outside the state capitol rallying, according to Reuters.

The attack on an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., that left 20 first-graders and six staffers dead in December has sparked a new debate over gun control. Last week, President Barack Obama proposed new gun controls to reduce violence.

Firearms expert Greg A. Danas told NBC News while it's up to a gun show owner to determine safety rules, he recommends measures like inspecting guns and ensuring firing pins are disabled.

"Even people with the best intentions, screw up, occasionally make mistakes," Danas said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

or, if you prefer

Gun Appreciation Day Celebrated With Accidental Shootings at Gun Shows in North Carolina and Ohio (UPDATE)
Taylor Berman

Three people were wounded Saturday afternoon after an accidental shooting at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show in Raleigh, North Carolina. The incident apparently occurred at a security check point when the owner of a 12-gauge shotgun was asked to remove his gun from its case. Somehow, the gun discharged, shooting two people in the hand and one in the right torso.

Meanwhile, in an entirely unrelated incident, a man at the Medina County Gun Show was shot and injured later Saturday afternoon.

As the Daily Intelligencer notes, today is both Gun Appreciation Day and Guns Across America. What a perfect way to celebrate!

UPDATE: And there was another shooting. A man shot himself in the hand while loading his gun outside the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife Show gun show in Indianapolis.

/Murica!

**nels1031**

I need to invest in a bullet proof vest company.

**Snrub**

Who carries a loaded shotgun around in a bag anyway? Foolishness.

**BlapBlapBlap**

Why must society intervene with natural selection?

Seriously, why are these people transporting weapons loaded with ammo? Why do they need them loaded?

Why do they object to gun control when so many can't apply simple safety measures to their firearms?

WHY?!

**Kilkrazy**

Because gun control would stop that kind of idiot from getting a licence.

**Howard A Treesong**

Wasn't there a story a while back where someone gave a kid an Uzi to try out? The gun owner and the parent didn't seem to think this was a bad idea. And the recoil led to the kid losing control and shooting themselves in the head?

I question the intelligence of a lot of people to be allowed to drive something as dangerous as a car, let alone own a gun. Note that the guy with the shotgun wasn't at much risk of naturally selecting himself out of the population, he shot three other people instead. Nice. What a moron.

**Seaward**

Kilkrazy wrote:
Because gun control would stop that kind of idiot from getting a licence.

What license?

Howard A Treesong wrote:
Wasn't there a story a while back where someone gave a kid an Uzi to try out? The gun owner and the parent didn't seem to think this was a bad idea. And the recoil led to the kid losing control and shooting themselves in the head?

I'd love to see that story, as the physics involved would appear to belong to another, less restrictive dimension.

**MrDwhitey**

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444180,00.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27399337/ns/us_news-life/t/boy-accidentally-kills-self-gun-show/#.UPvZNye6evE

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-4547353.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDgZueOX_so

It's like this story is hard to find.

**Seaward**

MrDwhitey wrote:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,444180,00.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27399337/ns/us_news-life/t/boy-accidentally-kills-self-gun-show/#.UPvZNye6evE

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-4547353.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDgZueOX_so

It's like this story is hard to find.

Thankfully I'm not the only one confused as to how the hell that could possibly happen.

**Kilkrazy**

Seaward wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:
Because gun control would stop that kind of idiot from getting a licence.

What license?

Howard A Treesong wrote:
Wasn't there a story a while back where someone gave a kid an Uzi to try out? The gun owner and the parent didn't seem to think this was a bad idea. And the recoil led to the kid losing control and shooting themselves in the head?

I'd love to see that story, as the physics involved would appear to belong to another, less restrictive dimension.

The kind of licence you don't have in the USA, which prevents gun ownership by idiots who shoot their neighbours through complete lack of proper safety.

**Seaward**

Kilkrazy wrote:

The kind of licence you don't have in the USA, which prevents gun ownership by idiots who shoot their neighbours through complete lack of proper safety.

Licenses prevent that?

Somebody should tell the DMV.

**KingCracker**

Snrub wrote:
Who carries a loaded shotgun around in a bag anyway? Foolishness.

Idiots thats who. My Uncle Dave does the same thing. And heres a funny story, he nearly shot his penis off while cleaning a revolver............................ (is that enough periods to give the effect needed?) apparently he thought it was unloaded. Ive told this story many times on here, but the sheer amount if fething stupid just shines

Responsible gun owners dont have accidents

**BlapBlapBlap**

KingCracker wrote:
Snrub wrote:
Who carries a loaded shotgun around in a bag anyway? Foolishness.

Idiots thats who. My Uncle Dave does the same thing. And heres a funny story, he nearly shot his penis off while cleaning a revolver............................ (is that enough periods to give the effect needed?) apparently he thought it was unloaded. Ive told this story many times on here, but the sheer amount if fething stupid just shines

Responsible gun owners dont have accidents

Yes, but responsible gun owners also shouldn't want irresponsible gun owners to exist.

**KingCracker**

Obviously we dont. But thats like sensible people wanting racists to disappear, its a great idea, but it wont/cant happen.

**Ouze**

KingCracker wrote:
Obviously we dont. But thats like sensible people wanting racists to disappear, its a great idea, but it wont/cant happen.

Respectfully, this isn't the best analogy. For one, racism doesn't (directly) kill people, it's just a mindset. We can't, and shouldn't try, policing ideas. Here's a better way of explaining it, via a silly, easily destroyed strawman - behold:

Seaward wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:

The kind of licence you don't have in the USA, which prevents gun ownership by idiots who shoot their neighbours through complete lack of proper safety.

Licenses prevent that?

Somebody should tell the DMV.

See, what Seaward doesn't realize in this even worse perfect world fallacy is that's he's sort of assisting the people arguing for licensing, or tighter licensing, depending on venue. He thinks that this poor argument - that the DMV requires licensing, but hasn't eliminated accidents entirely, hence we shouldn't bother - shows the futility of licensing firearms,but it actually illustrates the gulf of differences between licensing a vehicle and a firearm. The DMV actually tries. The DMV already requires you to display some level of proficiency with a vehicle before it gives you a license (some jursidictions also do this with firearms, but many don't - mine doesn't; the only proficiency I need to display to buy a handgun is the ability to write a check for $30 and have a clean criminal record), and the DMV requires ongoing eyesight tests. As you get older, they will generally require retesting with increasing frequency. If you're known to be an unsafe driver, people can report you to the DMV (example) where they can review your proficiency. Acts of negligence will cause you to lose you license, whereas loaded-unsafed-shotgun-in-a-duffel-bag-guy probably doesn't even need a license to get it, let alone have one revoked.

Gun rights advocates should be pressing for these people to be prosecuted for criminal negligence, not defending them.

**Breotan**

I thought gun shows prided themselves on safety? Guess standards have slipped since the election and the current "panic" to buy guns by every untrained person out there.

On a sort of related topic, I'm planning on attending a gun show today. I'll let you guys know if anyone does anything stupid while I'm there.

**SlaveToDorkness**

We should outlaw stupid people. Or at least sterilize them.

Gary Lynn Wilson needs this....fast!

**Ouze**

I thought generally speaking gun shows required you to have the bolt zip-tied open. Not sure when that went out of vogue.

**SlaveToDorkness**

At least two of the incidents seem to have been outside the show. Not a lot the show can do about what idiots are doing outside their jurisdiction.

**Ahtman**

Breotan wrote:
I thought gun shows prided themselves on safety?

No, they pride themselves on being able to buy and sell firearms like they are Pokemon Cards. Support your FLG(un)S.

**MrDwhitey**

Clearly we need to regulate Pokemon cards more stringently.

**Ahtman**

MrDwhitey wrote:
Clearly we need to regulate Pokemon cards more stringently.

I've always been a advocate of more CCG regulation. Mostly with starting that they may not be in a store when people are trying to play RPG's or Warhammer.

**Mr. Burning**

Ouze wrote:

Gun rights advocates should be pressing for these people to be prosecuted for criminal negligence, not defending them.

Agreed. don't know or don't care that your firearm is loaded, you should know.

**hotsauceman1**

Im all for gun ownership, to a certain degree.
But why isnt there a basic intelligence test?

**Seaward**

Ouze wrote:
See, what Seaward doesn't realize in this even worse perfect world fallacy is that's he's sort of assisting the people arguing for licensing, or tighter licensing, depending on venue. He thinks that this poor argument - that the DMV requires licensing, but hasn't eliminated accidents entirely, hence we shouldn't bother - shows the futility of licensing firearms,but it actually illustrates the gulf of differences between licensing a vehicle and a firearm. The DMV actually tries. The DMV already requires you to display some level of proficiency with a vehicle before it gives you a license (some jursidictions also do this with firearms, but many don't - mine doesn't; the only proficiency I need to display to buy a handgun is the ability to write a check for $30 and have a clean criminal record), and the DMV requires ongoing eyesight tests. As you get older, they will generally require retesting with increasing frequency. If you're known to be an unsafe driver, people can report you to the DMV (example) where they can review your proficiency. Acts of negligence will cause you to lose you license, whereas loaded-unsafed-shotgun-in-a-duffel-bag-guy probably doesn't even need a license to get it, let alone have one revoked.

Gun rights advocates should be pressing for these people to be prosecuted for criminal negligence, not defending them.

"Strawman" really is your favorite word. One of these days, you should discover what it means.

Licensing has done absolutely nothing to prevent stupid people from doing stupid things. Even stupid gun owners would be quite capable of passing basic proficiency tests, and anything beyond those would be declared unconstitutional. Most of the people who killed someone while driving drunk had a driver's license at the time. Driver's licenses prevent people who quite simply lack the knowledge of traffic laws, or have physical disabilities that prevent them from driving safely, from driving a vehicle, but they do nothing at all to prevent people who meet basic requirements from making stupid decisions or even stupid mistakes. I'm not sure why people think it would be any different with guns, save for simply not having actually spent any time considering it.

And, as always, the people who don't meet licensing requirements yet choose to utilize what's being licensed will do so anyone. My girlfriend's bar has a whole kitchen full of illegal immigrant busboys and dishwashers who cheerfully drive unlicensed every day.

**Kilkrazy**

Seaward wrote:
Kilkrazy wrote:

The kind of licence you don't have in the USA, which prevents gun ownership by idiots who shoot their neighbours through complete lack of proper safety.

Licenses prevent that?

Somebody should tell the DMV.

Of course licences don't "prevent" accidents. What they do is to reduce the rate of accidents by ensuring a reasonable level of training for the majority of users.

The reason why places like Egypt have a shocking rate of road accidents is because their driver licensing system is a joke.

**Mannahnin**

Have you ever been on the roads in a country with poor or nonexistent driving licence testing?

If safety and proficiency testing were mandatory it certainly would reduce the number of stupid accidents.

Snrub wrote:
Who carries a loaded shotgun around in a bag anyway? Foolishness.

Johnny Mnemonic. (Short story, not movie).

**Ouze**

Despite thorough licensing and evaluation by the Department of Energy, 3 Mile Island still had a partial meltdown. Ergo, licensing is ineffectual and anyone who wants to should be allowed to build a nuclear reactor on their property.

**Seaward**

Ouze wrote:
Despite thorough licensing and evaluation by the Department of Energy, 3 Mile Island still had a partial meltdown. Ergo, licensing is ineffectual and anyone who wants to should be allowed to build a nuclear reactor on their property.

Hey, speaking of strawmen...

**Ouze**

If I only I knew what that meant!