Man with Concealed Gun Permit Accidentally Kills Woman in Cafe
Let’s pause for a moment to consider what caused this woman’s senseless death.
Should we define the cause as something that couldn’t have been helped, like a tornado or some other natural disaster?
Or was it the incompetence and selfishness of a “law-abiding gun owner” who had permission from the state of Florida to carry his weapon pretty much wherever he wanted, and who just had to have it with him at the internet café — presumably “for protection”?
Remember, she wasn’t killed with a knife, or a baseball bat, or a fist.
She was killed with the tool best designed for the job — a firearm — by someone who reportedly had a permit to carry it.
Feel safer now?
From WJXT News-4 (Jacksonville):
Jacksonville police said a woman was killed Monday afternoon by what appears to be the accidental discharge of a concealed firearm.
Police said a man with a concealed weapons permit went into the Allied Veterans Cyber Center Internet café on the Westside in the 5800 block of Normandy Boulevard just east of Lane Avenue.
Police said the man’s gun was mishandled or dropped and discharged, striking a woman in the back. Witnesses said the gun fell from the man’s belt.
Officers said the woman in her 40s, whose name has not yet been released, died at Shands….
…Signs of what is and isn’t allowed inside the business are plastered all over the door. And according to those who go there often, there are more signs on the inside that say no firearms are allowed on the property….
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The man in question was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and every American has the right to do so, as long as they apply for the proper permits. However, this man should have used his BRAIN, something alot of people don't seem to do. It clearly says in the article that the gun discharged after falling from his belt. First of all, the gun should have been carried in a holster, but I guess he wanted to try to look cool. Secondly, wasn't the safety on? I was raised around guns , and a simple drop to the floor shouldn't have disengaged the safety. I'm not saying it's impossible, just unlikely. Third, the article says there are signs saying no firearms . This applies to any firearm, carried legally or illegally. Granted, those carrying a gun illegally aren't going to be swayed by a sign. Imagine if it were only that easy. "Please don't commit rape or murder on the premises. Thank you."
Stupidity should be a crime . If you commit a crime, even accidentally, due to an act of stupidity (as in this case) you should be charged. I agree with Don Earl, it would carry a message to those who commit crimes through careless acts.
So, charge the guy with negligent homicide . I've never been able to understand the reasoning behind not pressing charges against those who kill by accident, whether it's with guns or with cars , or by any other means. Dead is dead. If those who kill through carelessness are prosecuted, perhaps it will carry the message to everyone else that they will be held responsible for careless acts.
The illogic of the Brady Bunch on accidental gun deaths vs. accidental automobile deaths defies reason. Maybe the NRA should do a write up everytime a Brady Buncher, licensed to drive, accidently kills someone with their car.
With Brady Bunch related homicides potentially as high as one thousand killings per week, perhaps that would put things a little more in perspective.
Are you arguing for stricter standards in licensing?
THIS is an issue. GUN CONTROL is an issue. Comparing it to another, unrelated issue, is sort of ridiculous. We could compare it to workplace accidents, or terrorist attacks, or H1N1. Gun related deaths , because of the politics involved, must be examined differently from other types of deaths.
After 9/11, did you say "Terrorists!? Big deal! Tens of thousands of Americans die every day. Dead is dead!"
The Brady Bunch makes an issue of an obvious accident involving a machine. As with all accidents involving machines, negligence is involved. I've already said I believe those who cause the death of another through their negligent operation of machines should be held accountable. Only a fool would insist machines should be abolished because they are sometimes operated in a negligent fashion, which happens to be the topic at hand, and the argument being discussed
RE: "Gun related deaths , because of the politics involved, must be examined differently from other types of deaths."
That has to be one of the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Dead is dead, pal. If your wife were killed in a car accident, would it make a speck of difference to you whether or not some brain damaged looney treated it as a hot button political topic? Would you launch a campaign that only affected safe drivers? Would you insist that only horses be used for transportation ?
RE: "After 9/11, did you say "Terrorists!? Big deal! Tens of thousands of Americans die every day. Dead is dead!""
No. I spent four years researching 9/11 because I believe those responsible should be held accountable. Even for those naive enough to belive the official story, one thing was readily apparent from the outset. If the right of passengers on the planes to bear arms had not been infringed, 9/11 would have been flat out impossible. After stripping them of the ability to protect themselves, the government did nothing to protect them. As a result, they died.
"being necessary to the security of a free state..."
That's fine with me. But, like cars , we tend to restrict dangerous machinery to those who are trained and licensed, who go through retraining constantly. I'm just not allowed to drive a forklift, no matter how much I want to. Why aren't guns treated like that?
They are. Only the hopelessly ignorant believe otherwise. Have you ever applied for a pistol or hunting license? Have you ever spent time with persons who hold such licenses?
Personally, I've never met anyone who holds such licenses who made me feel unsafe. On the other hand, I can't begin to count the number of people I've met who hold driver's licenses that I flat refuse to ride with after the first time. So, 45,000 auto deaths per year vs. one accidental discharge. You do the math. Which is safer, guns or cars ? Which operator of the machinery in question is more likely to cause you accidental harm?
you are dealing with the intellectually impaired, and worse yet they are running our government !
They're lobbyists in direct opposition to the NRA. They are simply the anti-gun special interest group with a Bill named after them. Their work is to scale back the authorization granted to the people by the 2nd Amendment.
It is the wacko lobbyist that essentially run the government .
I stand corrected, but only on a technicality. :p
With only one side we don't have an argument. I find it akin to light casting a shadow, us being the objects in the middle. The arguments, the debates themselves, are healthy as they allow studies to take place.
In the end we've found that no matter how much good firearm ownership brings with regards to self-defense there will always be those who make mistakes or act carelessly. It's no different from those who neglect safety standards while driving and even while crossing the street. But rather than punish all People we should punish the few who do not abide by the rules which DO promote a safer society .
It's quite obvious that the man who accidentally discharged / dropped his weapon (not many details were released , which is not uncommon with Brady) was either not using the correct carry method to keep his weapon securely in place or not wearing the proper attire to accommodate the carry of his weapon.
These safety measures should be made as available as "always point the barrel in a safe direction" or "treat every gun as if it is loaded."