Justified shooting: the fellow was shot had been resisting arrest by flailing about on the dance floor.
Don’t guns have “safeties”? Did the FBI Agent have the safety off to save a second in case Osama bin Laden’s brother joined him on the dance floor?
Sorry if these questions are ignorant. Yes, yes, I know Americans shouldn’t be allowed to offer opinions about guns unless they can dismantle an AR-15 blindfolded. (Just as legislator views on abortion aren’t meaningful unless the legislator has a penis?)
As reported, this appears to be another “the gun fell on the floor and went off” story. Particularly odd if it went off as he was reaching for it - after it fell but before he touched it.
Some do some don’t. Most revolvers have an ‘internal safety’ but will still go off if the trigger is pulled. Most (I think) pistols have a safety lever or button that prevents the trigger from firing the gun. Watching the video it looks like the gun was a pistol but hard to see. It seems to have gone off as he picked it up.
I know Americans prefer it that way, but this incident makes a really good argument for not walking around with a round in the chamber.
There are several styles of semi-auto handguns which have a safety built into the trigger (Glock being the one that started it). If there is a round in the chamber and you pull the trigger, it will go off. Do an image search for “glock trigger” and you can see the safety.
Double-action revolvers also will go off if the trigger is pulled (no external safety). However, a revolver with the hammer down has a long, and typically harder, trigger pull. A Glock has a short, light trigger pull. I think stock it is around 5lbs but you can easily lighten them into the 2-3lb range.
I’m guessing he had a glock-style semi-auto and pulled the trigger as he caught/fumbled with the pistol.
That’s exactly what I think, but wasn’t sure enough to say.
I noticed this, too!* If you look for it, it’s quite notable how often the media ascribes agency to inanimate objects absolving the actors involved from responsibility for their negligent behavior. I can’t find anything on this (not sure how to google this theory) but I believe it goes beyond the media and that blaming objects for bad events, ignoring the human element, is pervasive in our culture.
- Between this post and this one, Gyrate, I feel like you’re in my head. If you wouldn’t mind tidying up a bit, I’d appreciate it.
Or, as you may have heard, “Guns don’t shoot people. People shoot people.”
I’m pretty sure guns are still involved in those transactions. There are usually no consequences if you point your finger at someone and shout “BANG!!”…unless you are seen by an overzealous school official.
A gun hitting the floor without a human pulling the trigger puts the lie to “Guns don’t kill people.” BTW, witnesses claim the FBI agent picked up his gun and walked away without checking to see if anybody was hit.
"bystanders say the person responsible didn’t follow up to see if anyone was injured.
Instead, according to the video, the agent raised both arms and walked away."
Also, it’s HuffPo who are not exactly known for their journalistic rigor in their news reporting. If they report “the gun just went off” I wouldn’t at all be surprised if the gun “just went off” because the guy grabbed it and accidentally pulled the trigger.
It’s already a lot tidier than mine. And with a lot less random screaming too. I might hang out for a bit. Is it okay if I use the minibar while I’m here?
Once again I am reminded of why I love the Dope. Thanks, guys!
Meanwhile in South Africa: a man falls asleep in his car outside of a school while waiting his teenager son. And when the son knocks the car window… R.I.P.
I’m afraid I’ll have to report myself for stupidity.
As I understand it, the mishap required
- that the FBI officer be using a Glock — the gun notorious for not having a safety
- that he not have a proper holster for the Glock
- that the Glock be in the “cocked” (bullet in chamber) configuration
If I had such a gun in the ready-to-fire state with no safety or holster and decided to start doing backflips I think I’d first retreat to a lavatory (to avoid attracting attention) and remove the round from the chamber. I deigned to say as much in the GQ thread on this matter.
I was informed that this was the stupidest comment anyone had ever heard since Pocahontas didn’t know the meaning of “deadly weapon,” that anyone as ignorant as I was not entitled to opinions on gun usage or the Second Commandment.
They stipulated that it would have reasonable for the agent (who had spontaneously arrived with friends) to take a taxi home to store his pistol and then (dare to) return to the back-flipping venue unarmed. But the idea that he should remove the bullet from its ready-to-fire position was so absurd, so unspeakable, that I fear I’ll soon be Pitted for lamentable ignorance. ALL Glock owners keep a round in the chamber at ALL times that they’re carrying the Glock at all (except while hurdling a difficult fence when hunting non-Homo game).
To contrast the one-in-a-billion chance that the chambered round will save a second (and therefore Glock-owner’s life) with the risk of accidental discharge was arithmetically illicit — like adding apples and Wednesdays I guess — so illicit I’m worried they’ll report me for a Mod warning.
Mea Culpa. I apologize to all Glock owners and all patriotic bearers of other guns-without-safeties. Please keep a round in your chamber at all times! MAGA!
Hope this helps. Best wishes. Thoughts and prayers in advance.
Picture and reporting here and here. To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle little star…
*Lockdown. Lockdown. Lock the door.
Shut the lights off. Say no more.
Go behind the desk and hide.
Wait until it’s safe inside.
Lockdown. Lockdown. It’s all done.
Now it’s time to have some fun!*
That is one of the saddest things I have ever seen.
This is a society beset by a kind of terrorism.
which fits the theme of the thread, because terrorists are not really known for their mental agility
Be afraid. Because it’s easier than actually doing something.