Gun used in the accidental shooting in February?

[Johnny L.A.]

Link to story (http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10480055-8-year-old-girl-critically-wounded-in-washington-state-school-shooting).

In a nutshell: A boy brought a loaded gun to school. He slammed his backpack onto his desk. A gun within the backpack discharged and the bullet critically wounded an 8-year-old (she just turned nine the other day) girl.

Question: What kind of gun goes off like that? I know it was a .45 caliber pistol. My thoughts are that the Colt 1911 series' thumb safety cannot be engaged unless the hammer is cocked. So if there is a round in the chamber and the hammer is down, a blow to the hammer might discharge the round.

[silenus]

Do we know it was a semi-auto? If it was an old revolver, things will work differently, obviously. If it was cocked or an ancient model made before transfer bars, for example.

[md2000]

Yes, if it was a revolver then the kid may have been playing with it earlier, cocked the hammer like he might see in some westerns and not known how to uncock it... then walked around with an accident waiting to happen.

[engineer_comp_geek]

This news report says it was a .45 cal semi-automatic but doesn't give the specific model:

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Bremerton-third-grader-shot-in-class-remains-in-intensive-care-140187123.html

ETA: Just found more info:

This site says .45 caliber Heckler and Koch (still no specific model):

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/Boy-accused-in-school-shooting-wanted-to-run-away-3356499.php

Officers found a .45 caliber Heckler and Koch pistol inside a backpack at the shooting scene. The safety of the semi-automatic pistol was off, and the gun was cocked with a live round in the chamber, the statement said.

[silenus]

I want to know how the ejected casing got out of the backpack. I would also like to know how the weapon managed to cycle smoothly and chamber a new round while inside a backpack, presumably with other materials that would massively interfere with said cycling.

This doesn't smell right.

[Johnny L.A.]

Do we know it was a semi-auto? If it was an old revolver, things will work differently, obviously. If it was cocked or an ancient model made before transfer bars, for example.
I have a .45 LC revolver, and a revolver converted from .455 Webley to .45 ACP (with moon clips). But generally .45 is not especially common as a revolver round.
This site says .45 caliber Heckler and Koch (still no specific model):
Now that you mention it, I do remember the news saying it was a semi-automatic.

The 1911/Government Model is an old design. I would have thought H&K would have more safety mechanisms built in. (Of course if the gun was cocked, something in the backpack may have pushed on the trigger.)
I want to know how the ejected casing got out of the backpack. I would also like to know how the weapon managed to cycle smoothly and chamber a new round while inside a backpack, presumably with other materials that would massively interfere with said cycling.

This doesn't smell right.
Unless I'm misremembering, there was only one shot. No need for a successful cycling.

[Kevbo]

I want to know how the ejected casing got out of the backpack. I would also like to know how the weapon managed to cycle smoothly and chamber a new round while inside a backpack, presumably with other materials that would massively interfere with said cycling.

This doesn't smell right.

If you are parsing that correctly, then color me dubious as well. But it could be that the officer(s?) were commenting on the condition of the pistol before it discharged, rather than when they found it...could be sloppy language from the officers, sloppy reporting, or editing inadvertently changing the meaning.

If you read it right though, it would also mean that the grip/frame was also supported well enough in the pack to avoid short cycling & FTF. (extreme case of limp wristing)

[silenus]

Unless I'm misremembering, there was only one shot. No need for a successful cycling.

Officers found a .45 caliber Heckler and Koch pistol inside a backpack at the shooting scene. The safety of the semi-automatic pistol was off, and the gun was cocked with a live round in the chamber, the statement said.

The pistol muzzle was pointed toward the bottom of the backpack, which had been ripped open, investigators said, and a spent casing was found nearby. Investigators believe the shooting was an accident.

[UncleBill]

The 1911 model and subsequent variations in that style have three safeties, including a grip safety that needs to be depressed as the hand grips the pistol, that need to be disabled in order to fire. Old technology, but safer than many newer styles.

[GaryM]

Don't forget that there are .45 pistols that are not the 1911 pattern. The current H&K is not the 1911 pattern and doesn't appear to have a grip safety. It does have a decocker though.