Almost shot yesterday

[ent]

Interesting thing happened yesterday. Went to local sporting good store to check things out. I was standing about 40 feet off to the side of the gunsmith window, looking at the sparse and overpriced supply of "assault" weapons, when all of the sudden--BANG!!!
I look over to the window (from the floor) to see drywall debris floating in the air and a foot long gash in the wall right next to the window. Bullet had exited the wall at an angle toward me and hit a shelf 5 feet behind me and lodged there. I had been standing there not 30 seconds before.
After the dust has settled (literally) it turns out that someone had just brought in an m4 type rifle to serviced.
The fellow behind the counter put the rifle in a rack and a little bit later "laid it on the counter and it just went off".
Not a statement I tend to believe, but what was he going to say? I pulled the trigger on a firearm that I did not check for empty and it fired. Not likely.
Funny thing was after it happened, not one employee took any interest in the customers standing around. All they did was try and determine the bullet path and when found, dig bullet out of the shelf.
No one hurt, but to close for comfort.

Always check for empty, especially around me.

 

[feudalson]

i think i would change my stomping grounds to a different store.. glad you made it by the way ..

 

[Gamera]

"laid it on the counter and it just went off"

:banghead:

Just goes to show that you can never safety check firearms often enough.
Glad you're ok! I would definitely take my business to a different store...

 

[geronimo509]

you know what they say.... Guns kill people all by themselves

Also, I'm glasd you ok too, and would also not go to that store again

 

[larry_minn]

I would expect I would get some dang good service/deal RFN. From what you post I would be calling 911 if they don't offer any apology.

 

[ent]

No apology, not even a check to see if anyone was hurt.
Against my better judgement, I even stayed around a little while just to see if they would ever say anything.
This is a national chain store by the way.

 

[Blue .45]

Funny thing was after it happened, not one employee took any interest in the customers standing around.

I wonder if they would have been so unresponsive, if the owner of the weapon had negligently discharged the gun while showing the gunsmith?

I doubt it.

In any case, You took the whole incident better than I think I would have. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

 

[QuietEarp]

That is why I do my firearm buying at a gun store instead of a sporting goods store. I trust the people at the gun stores more, they are always there and I recognize them. Who knows the experience level of an employee at a sporting goods store. I still sometimes shop for ammo or accessories at sporting stores but rarely get close to the gun counter. It just doesn't feel right.

This is my 100th post! Thanks THR for all of the information and conversation.

 

[Kevin77]

Go ahead and post the name of the store. I for one, would like to know.

 

[Hardtarget]

My friend worked as security at Bass Pro here in Nashville. He was at the front door one afternoon when an elderly lady walked in. A salesman had sold her a 12 ga "riot" shotgun for HD. She handed him the gun and explained the need for an exchange. When he checked, the gun was fully loaded! All 00 buck!

I guess you never know what you'll find.

I can't believe how close you were. Thats just too close. You are a lucky man!

Mark

 

[ThrottleJockey]

since the gun was in for repair, it is possible that an AD DID occur. It is also possible that he set it down to get the tools he needed to clear the possibly "stuck" action. That is no excuse for the behavior though, or the lack of concern. I would most definitely follow this one up the chain of command though.

 

[Big Bill]

It's against the law to discharge a firearm in most municipalities. I would have called the police.

 

[panther22]

I used to work at a gun store and have had guys bring in guns to trade that were still loaded, or they bring in a gun for service and there's a live round in the chamber. It seemed to happen more often during deer season. Some people just don't think, but that's why a store handling guns needs to be on their toes, and alot of the chain stores aren't.

 

[627PCFan]

Time to sue the store for $15million for "undue emotional stress". That is the new American way.:banghead:

Glad to hear your ok-

 

[saltyyn1]

When ,I worked in a gun shop, averaged finding about 6 per year loaded when customer brought trades or repairs in. I got in the habit of pulling the slide back everytime I picked up a pistol (not just the first time).

One disturbing incident really stands out. Fellow came in with a nice semi-auto pistol in the case with 2 loaded mags in the case, no mag in the gun. I checked the weapon & it was clear. I go get the used gun guide and pick up the pistol again and pull back the slide and I saw a round ready to chamber. It scared me & I lost hold on the slide, immediately shucked it again and the first round fell on the counter and I was in shock looking at another round ready to chamber. I knew I had checked it and could not believe what I was seeing. The customer had inserted the mag while I was gone 30 seconds. It scared me plenty. I told him how stupid that was, evidently in a loud voice, and he picked up his potential trade, left & didn't come back.

 

[CoRoMo]

i think i would change my...

...underwear upon returning home.

 

[hostilecrab]

I'm glad you are okay and nobody got hurt. I would agree to not go back into that store ever again.

Just laid it on the counter and it just went off.........hmmm....

Kinda like Glocks are so unsafe because they don't have a manual safety.....

What a bunch of idiots at that store.

 

[Ruodo]

I doubt I would ever visit that store again if that had happened to me. Especially after they didn't even bother to ask if people were hurt.

 

[NavyLCDR]

I would expect I would get some dang good service/deal RFN. From what you post I would be calling 911 if they don't offer any apology.

I thought 911 was for emergencies? I can hear the call now: "Adam 12, please respond to a man with a gun at Joe's Gun Store..."

 

[zminer]

I was in shock looking at another round ready to chamber

Wow, that is a scary situation, and a dumb move on the customer's part. Who in their right mind would drop a loaded mag into a firearm while in a gun shop, especially if he knows that someone is going to be handling that firearm to determine its value? You might have lost the sale, but you definitely did the right thing. Clearly it isn't an exaggeration to proceed under the assumption that all guns are always loaded ... because they really could be!

I can hear the call now: "Adam 12, please respond to a man with a gun at Joe's Gun Store..."

Heh. "We also have a report of several bodies at Holy Cross cemetery. Please confirm, over."

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Amazing how often those danged guns just go off by themselves.

 

[Stirling XD]

Funny thing was after it happened, not one employee took any interest in the customers standing around. All they did was try and determine the bullet path and when found, dig bullet out of the shelf.

They were probably thinking that if the bullet went into a shelf, then it didn't go into a customer. The problem with that is that a bullet going through drywall, wood, metal, glass, etc. can kick up a lot of debris and/or shrapnel. While injury from such items are likely to be less severe than being hit by the bullet itself, it should never be overlooked. There is also the potential for hearing loss when a firearm is discharged in a confined space (and the great out doors too). I would translate their lack of concern for their customers following an accidental discharge as a lack of concern for their customers period.

If this happened to me I would definately notify upper management via certified mail. I would explain what happened and the employee response (or lack there of). I'm sure they are aware of the potential harm of flying bullets but it wouldn't hurt to remind them. I would then ask for a response as to what actions will be taken to ensure this type of thing doesn't happen again.

I'm glad you were not hurt. But I would definately avoid this place for a while. That's my $.02.

 

[chuckusaret]

Glad you were unhurt. I have found that most large gun/sports stores have a so called gunsmith available to assist the customers but are at best well versed gun sales people. Case in point. I had a feed problem with a new S&W M&P 9MM and took it to a very large sporting goods chain store. The so called gunsmith took a quick look at it and said, "you need a new barrel". I did not buy a new barrel but posted my problem on THR. A member recommended that I polish the ramp, which I did, no longer have a feed problem.

 

[Deanimator]

I ALWAYS clear firearms before I handle them. The ONE ND I've had in my life came from NOT doing that.

 

[czarjl]

1. Glad no one was hurt.

2. If the the lack of reaction is any indication, I would be willing to bet this is not the first time this has happend there.

3. Where was this?