Jury orders owner of gun used in murder to pay up (Brother shoots brother; father liable)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch ^ | 8-21-02 | Tim Rowden

[FairWitness]

A Jefferson County jury has ordered a gun owner to pay $400,000 for failing to safely store a handgun that was later used to murder his son.

The jury verdict last month against William "Billy" Handley is the first of its kind in a Missouri civil case, according to the Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

[FairWitness]

What a sad story. Apparently the father has already payed the widow (his daughter in law), so I'm assuming that means no appeal. Too bad since the precedent set needs more than a county jury to decide.

[newgeezer]

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[monday]

This was a pity verdict. It was really the widow vs. the fathers homeowners insurance company. There is no out of pocket money for the father, and I am sure that he wanted to help his dead sons widow in any event.

Different circumstances would probably have led to a different verdict, however it probably will make homeowners insurance go up in Missouri. This is a point that jurys never consider.

[FairWitness]

Your analysis makes a lot of sense.

[robertpaulsen]

"There is no out of pocket money for the father.."

That's why this case makes for bad law. If the father had no insurance, do you think the daughter-in-law would have sued? And since it's not his money, it is unlikely he will appeal.

I'm really getting fed up with people looking for the 'deep pockets' to sue, irrespective of their involvement. The father broke no laws and kept the gun out of sight. I cannot see how he is liable.

[o_zarkman44]

the kid was on drugs. how about suing the dealer who sold him the drugs?

Hitting insurance companys for damages will cause gun owners to be required to carry insurance at high cost or get rid of firearms to avoid cancellation. this is another front for the anti gunners to exploit.

[monday]

"The father broke no laws and kept the gun out of sight. I cannot see how he is liable."

True, I was just trying to explain how it happened I am not condoning it.

[robertpaulsen]

Sorry if I appeared to be directing this at you. I agree with everything you said in your post.