Shooting accident kills man at Houston gun range

Houston Chronicle ^ | Dec. 20, 2007, 1:38AM | ROBERT CROWE

[cbkaty]

Shooting accident kills man at Houston gun range

A man was fatally shot during an accident at a west Houston gun range, police said.

The 45- to 50-year-old man died after he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest at American Shooting Centers in the 16500 block of Westheimer Parkway, Houston police said.

The incident happened about 6:40 p.m. Authorities say they believe the injuries were caused by a rifle.

No other details were immediately available Wednesday night.

[cbkaty]

6:40 in the evening in late Dec doesn’t sound right. The sunsets at 5:26 in Houston tonight

They are open till 7 PM.

[Blood of Tyrants]

On a side note: when did gun shot wounds get classified as “injuries”?

Call me silly, but I would think that ALL gunshot wounds would be classified as an injury. Or knife wounds or skinned knees or broken bones or a cut on the head.

[Blood of Tyrants]

An M1 Garand will eat through any 30.06 ammo you can fit in the En-bloc clip.

Having owned 15 M1's and currently owning 8, I can tell you that your statement is a good way to destroy and M1. There are MANY .30-06 cartridges that are loaded with bullets heavier than 180 grains and powders far too slow for an M1 Garand. As M1 Garands were designed for a specific powder speed and bullet weight, bullets heavier than 180 grains or slow burning powders made for bolt guns will at the very least bend your op rod and possibly break the heel off your receiver.

That said there is a way to safely shoot any commercial cartridge with any bullet weight and powder speed that is made. Simply buy and install an adjustable gas cylinder screw nut that will allow you to bleed off excess pressure and operate the rifle safely. The M1 Garand has a VERY strong bolt and receiver. I have even seen custom Garands in .338 Magnum.

[PeteB570]

I was talking about the 150-170 gr bullets and did mention that the heavier loads could damage the weapon - the operating rod.

I shoot mostly surplus ammo and most of that is in the 150 range although some is up to the 170 range. I don’t do 180.

So far no problems.

[Squantos]

6:40 PM.........that range used at night ?

Dark here at 6:40 PM, official sunset at 5:38 PM.....almost an hour later.......pretty dim around that hour after sunset wasn’t it ?

I am just glad YOU are OK !

Saw that title and thought oh crap !........:o)

Stay safe Eeeeek !

[Squantos]

Yep ........thought I was gonna have to go help the Mom fold her confederate flag......:o)

[Squantos]

Had same question (#45) before I read down the thread........thanks for the info !

Stay safe and 6 lanes down the firing line from Eaker !.......:o)

[eastforker]

Authorities say they believe the injuries were caused by a rifle.
Sounds like it may not have been self inflicted, more like another poster stated some idiot clearing his weapon after the cease fire.

[mylife]

6:13 in Dallas right now and it is black outside.

[mylife]

Look at the purty muzzle blast.

Prayers for all involved.

[Squantos]

Yeah that was key when I saw time yet it was related that range is lit at night......keep me on yer pings if ya hear more and I will do same .

Thanks .......!!

Stay safe !

[Eaker]

It is a very nice and well-lighted range.

I just don’t care much for the people, but typically they are very safety conscience.

Such a sad and avoidable incident.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Since I got ya’ both here.... Merry Christmas! Eak... pass it on to the Mom too.

[Eaker]

Same to ya ole buddy!

[Squantos]

And back at ya Slim & Eaker.........:o)

Boss let us escape today and spend entire afternoon at Hooters getting really drunk !

Back in the salt mine at 0300L !

Then off for a week !

Whoo Hoo !

Merry Christmas Ya’ll !

[avacado]

Holy smokes! I am not too far from that gun range.

[Eaker]

Looks to me like the guy was in a hurry stowing his rifle and made a couple of mistakes.

If this is the case then a few extra seconds would have made all the difference in the world.

[eastforker]

I remember one time about 45 years ago, I was ten years old, it was below zero. I woke up to the sound of dogs barking and chickens cackling. I started down the stairs when I heard a loud pop, a very loud pop. I heard mom call out”Dad, are you OK” silence, again, another call, “did you get him” silence, I was afraid to go down the rest of the stairs, but I did. Then dad answered, “ Well, at least I missed my big toe”! After chambering a round into the shotgun he instinctively pulled the trigger to make sure it was on safe. We had a one inch hole in the kitchen floor we talked about for years. Simple mistakes at home or on the job, when tired or weary, can happen to anyone. Stay safe, have a merry Christmas and a happy New year.

[mylife]

Simple mistakes at home or on the job, when tired or weary, can happen to anyone.

That cant be said enough.

Merry Christmas

[TheMom]

This is the only comment I could find about what happened -

A Pct. 5 Constable spokesman said an unidentified man was shot once in the chest as he was either loading or unloading a rifle from his car.