Posted on 04/11/2006 11:20:39 AM PDT by Screamname
DEA Agent Who Shot Self In Foot Sues U.S.
Seeks damages for distribution of humiliating gun accident video
APRIL 11--A Drug Enforcement Administration agent who stars in a popular online video that shows him shooting himself in the foot during a weapons demonstration for Florida children is suing over the tape's release, claiming that his career has been crippled and he's become a laughingstock due to the embarrassing clip's distribution. Lee Paige, 45, blames the video's release on DEA officials in an April 7 federal lawsuit filed against the U.S. government. A copy of the pro se complaint by Paige, a DEA agent since 1990, can be found below. According to the lawsuit, Paige was making a "drug education presentation" in April 2004 to a Florida youth group when his firearm (a Glock .40) accidentally discharged. The shooting occurred moments after Paige told the children that he was the only person in the room professional enough to carry the weapon. The accident was filmed by an audience member, and the tape, Paige claims, was turned over to the DEA. The drug agency subsequently "improperly, illegally, willfully and/or intentionally" allowed the tape to be disseminated. As a result, Paige--pictured above in a still from the video--has been the "target of jokes, derision, ridicule, and disparaging comments" directed at him in restaurants, grocery stores, and airports. Paige, who writes that he was "once regarded as one of the best undercover agents, if not the best, in the DEA," points to the clip's recent airing on popular television shows and via the Internet as the reason he can no longer work undercover. He also notes that he is no longer "permitted or able to give educational motivational speeches and presentations." (5 pages)
I love it when they produce the rifle and he yells "It's empty" and no one beleives him, looked like people were looking for shelter at that point. hilarious.
From memory:
1.) Always treat any gun as if it were loaded.
2.) Never place your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
3.) Never let the muzzle cross anything that you don't want to shoot.
4.) Be sure of your target and what is beyond your target.
(Jeff Cooper)
There may be another one, but I can't remember.
I had a brother-in-law violate three of these rules for better living, and we haven't shot together since.
I first saw this video maybe 18 months ago. I always thought he purposely shot himself in the foot. Now he's suing. Hmmmmmmm....
Not too familiar with the DEA, huh?
How 'bout, "Star Wars Kid - Reloaded".
Yeah, there is something more to this... It`s just the timing of it, "I am the only one professional enough..." then he shoots himself. Plus what was he doing with a clip in the gun? Why did he feel the need to pull the trigger?
The NRA has a strict policy of no live ammunition in the classroom (in gun safety classes). This guy and his partner are both guilty of violating that policy, with predictable results. I realize they aren't NRA trainers, and this wasn't an NRA course being taught, but the wisdom behind that policy should still apply here.
I think his partner checked the gun before handing it to him just prior to the discharge, so they are both idiots, IMHO.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an NRA Training Counselor.
Guess not!
Maybe that's where he came up with the idea?
A copy of the pro se complaint by Paige, a DEA agent since 1990, can be found below.
Not only is he a professional gunslinger, he's also his own lawyer...
Bump for later bookmark.
Bump for more "derision, ridicule, and disparaging comments."
From memory:
1.) Always treat any gun as if it were loaded.
2.) Never place your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
3.) Never let the muzzle cross anything that you don't want to shoot.
4.) Be sure of your target and what is beyond your target.
(Jeff Cooper)
There may be another one, but I can't remember.
I had a brother-in-law violate three of these rules for better living, and we haven't shot together since.
22 posted on 04/11/2006 12:30:47 PM MDT by tumblindice
Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.The gun handling rules as taught by the NRA are as follows:
Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
Of course, all the anti-gun folks probably think the gun loaded and fired itself.
Well, it was an effective demonstration of gun safety, you have to admit. Now if we could just get the guy to give a little talk on Russian roulette...
claiming that his career has been crippled
Affirmative action end result BUMP.
No, stupid, your career has been crippled by the fact you now have only nine toes, and, demonstrably, no brains.
Any 'undercover' agent that stands up in a class of kids and a video camera and IDs himself has blown his cover. Was he under the impression that no one would see the tape if the show-and-tell had gone as he intended?
Any officer treating a loaded weapon as he did, in the presence of kids, is guilty of criminal recklessness, should be charged with endangerment and criminal negligence, and cashiered.
And when they throw the case out, the horse's ass should have to pay all the court costs as well.
The truly disturbing thing is that his statement is most likely true!
I took the NRA firearms safety course when I was 13 and recommend it to anyone with kids.
Interesting factoid: 'Curly' Howard was wounded by a shotgun in the foot in a hunting accident.
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