Sometimes the jokes write themselves. We've heard of so many Glock accidental discharges -- some call them negligent discharges -- that they practically beg for ridicule. It's Darwin's natural selection.
In the handgun world a Glock must be the macho gun -- real men carry Glocks, only sissies would own a handgun with a manual safety. I've written about this issue so many times I could recycle old posts. A typical Glock has a very light trigger pull and no manual safety. Put it in the hands of a careless person and that's an accident waiting to happen.
The news of the day is about a NY Giants football player named Plaxico Burress and how he can't handle his handgun as well as he handles a football. He fumbled. Here's what the NYT said:
The criminal complaint, released by prosecutors Monday, said that an onlooker then saw Burress near the V.I.P. area of the club holding a drink in his left hand and fidgeting his right hand in the area of the waistline of his pants. The witness then heard a single “pop” sound before hearing Burress say, “Take me to the hospital.”
Burress was on the ground, with his legs shaking, when a bloody gun — a .40-caliber Glock pistol — fell out of his pant leg and onto the floor, the onlooker said. Investigators believe that Pierce was standing next to Burress when the gun went off. The bullet, which broke through the skin of Burress’s right thigh and pierced muscle tissue, traveled through the leg before lodging itself somewhere in the club.
OK, you knew this was coming. Children divert your eyes.
"Hey big boy, there was a pop in your pants. Is that a Glock in your pocket or are were you just glad to see me?"
Hilarious! This is like Clorox for the gene pool...
Still, all humor aside, this is another prime example of why the public has no business being allowed to purchase and/or carry handguns. Wanna keep those 2nd amendment rights and own a rifle? Sure thing. But handguns? Those should be reserved solely for law enforcement, military, and other officials. I'd dare suggest that the vast majority of firearm injuries & deaths could never occur with a rifle.
Posted by: Rob O. | December 02, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Just occurred to me that the phrase, "The bullet, which broke through the skin..." sure is a nonchalant way of saying that the moron blasted a hole in his leg and the bullet lodged in the floor below. Nice soft sell by that reporter...
Posted by: Rob O. | December 02, 2008 at 03:19 PM
You're killing me, George. You're killing me.
Pick on bad drivers awhile, huh?
Posted by: Les | December 02, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Rob O., what a great line: "Clorox in the gene pool." Funny stuff!
About your other point: Taking handguns away from citizens is a rather draconian way to deal with a mechanical problem. I would prefer that the market place deals with the issue, but if it comes down to regulations then it would be much better to simply figure out a way to make them safer. It's not that difficult. But let's not mess with the 2nd amendment, it's too important.
By the way, there are plenty of handgun accidents involving law enforcement officers, too.
Posted by: Geo | December 02, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Les, good point about the bad drivers. There seem to be so many highway deaths that news about another one barely registers these days. Oh, and careful where you point that Glock!
Posted by: Geo | December 02, 2008 at 05:39 PM
There are 4 rules of gun safety.
I. ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
II. NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
III. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
IV. BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
These apply to all guns, mechanical safety or not.
I think sticking a gun in your pants may violate rule II.
Also remember, no amount of safety engineering will save an idiot from himself. If you have a gun in your pants and a drink in your hand-you are an idiot.
Thanks for the post George.
Posted by: Clif | December 03, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Never, ever will I relinquish my weapons. I will continue to purchase them as I see fit and as long as they are legal. A defenseless society is NOT what we need. I love you George but the morons are the problems - not the weapons. That said, novices need to take gun safety courses.
Posted by: Suzanne | December 03, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Thanks Clif. "A gun in your pants and a drink in your hand." That's a great definition of an idiot!
Posted by: Geo | December 03, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Suzanne, just to be clear, I'm NOT advocating any kind of law controlling the right to own guns. This is a marketing and educational problem.
Clif recited a good set of gun safety rules, above. Gun sellers should take better care to educate gun buyers that Glocks are very unforgiving of those who don't adhere to the safety rules 100% of the time.
Posted by: Geo | December 03, 2008 at 02:55 PM
George, you're right of course and for the record, I don't like Glocks either. Now Ray does although he actually prefers a 45 automatic. We have four Glocks and I don't know why! I prefer revolvers because I don't have to think if I need to use it.
Posted by: Suzanne | December 03, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Suzanne -- Yes, revolvers have been around so long the bugs have surely been worked out by now. A short barrel revolver would make a great carry weapon.
Posted by: Geo | December 03, 2008 at 04:42 PM
This should spark things up a bit;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122835270947177981.html
Posted by: Clif | December 04, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Thanks for the link, Clif, it's an informative editorial. New York law has turned Mr. Burress' negligence into a crime and at the same time has turned him into a victim of a law that could be unconstitutional. I'm beginning to sympathize with him.
There's also the problem of taking a gun into a bar. In Texas that's a big no-no, and while there are valid arguments on each side of that issue, it's probably better to force potential gunfights out into the parking lot.
Posted by: Geo | December 04, 2008 at 05:18 PM