Posted on 01/14/2009 1:35:33 PM PST by skyman
The public toilet at Centerville's Carl's Jr. restaurant never knew what hit it. But police say it was a .40-caliber slug fired from a patron's handgun, which went off as he was hitching up his pants.
Centerville police confiscated the 26-year-old Salt Lake City man's firearm, for which he has a concealed weapons permit, after the incident Tuesday.
Police Lt. Paul Child said the bullet shattered the toilet and sent sharp shards into the man's arm. The minor injuries were treated at the scene.
The toilet? A total loss.
Police said the man told them his pistol fell out of the holster and fired into the toilet as he was pulling up his pants.
"The gun fell out of the holster, striking the tile
floor," Child said. "When the gun hit the floor, it went off. ... The man was hit by some of the porcelain in the arm, causing some small lacerations."
No one else was injured in the accident, but a woman in an adjacent restroom reported chest pain after being frightened by the shot. She did not go to a hospital.
Police said the accident would have been prevented if the man had used a more secure holster.
"A good-quality firearm also should not fire if it is dropped," Child said.
No charges are being filed against the man, but Centerville police did take his firearm "for safe-keeping" while they review the incident.
"He was a little shook up, so we just wanted to take it right then and allow him time to gather himself before releasing it to him," Child said.
Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Cameron Roden said police commonly pull weapons permits after crimes of violence, felonies or convictions of weapons violations. But he said agencies also sometimes confiscate weapons for a short time as part of their investigation.
I think exactly the same way. I have read of people with similar things happening, but luckily, their guns did not go off.
They probably neglected to mention that it may roll while falling.
I have a 1954 vitage SW 38 special liteweight that I carry with 6 loads. Can someone comment on this carry revolver re: Drop without fire?
I ocassionally carry a Ruger Old Army with a 45 LC conversion cylinder. It has a has a rest slot between rounds for the hammer - thats the way I carry it - loaded with 6 rounds.
The thing is I do carry mine with a round in the chamber. It’s a double action. I am so very careful with it. I carry it in my front jeans pocket it’s that small. I’ve tried to shake it out but it stays put (did that with no rounds in the chamber). I still can’t figure out how Palaxico (sp?) managed to shoot himself.
Kahr P40, according to local sources.
Oh how I miss my former T series BHP from the 60s. Still remember the serial number and that is unusual for me. Got to get back to TheHighRoad and TheFiringLine for my learning and sharing.
It probably started to fall so he grabbed at it and got a finger or thumb in the trigger. When you’re grabbing something falling, you instinctively grip as hard as you can.
Some say that a Ruger is best used as a hammer, for much the same reasons. :D
I love mine... but a nearly identical gun in .45 with no sacrifice in stock magazine capacity? Sold - which is why I have the XD45s now.
If you’re talking about Palexico (sp) then where was it and how did he manage to drop it? I guess it’ll come out in trial.
No, I’m talking about this article here and assumed you were doing the same.
You have room in a front pants pocket for a pistol?
Cargo pants, perhaps?
OH, OK ... I read the article but was expanding on what some others mentioned that being people carrying guns that fell out of their pants such as Palxico ... I can see how this guy’s gun fell out pulling up his pants due to the weight of the gun slipping out ....
Ever see a Beretta Tomcat? I admit it’s a tight fit but better than wearing a holster ...
Ever had anybody ask what that is?
*ducks*
TomCats aren’t bad... but if I’m going that small, I’m just going to go with the classic Baby Browning .25 “get off me gun”. Just tradition. :D
One shot, one kill. Good job, soldier!
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