Posted on 12/21/2015 6:49:08 AM PST by upbeat5
DES MOINES, Iowa – A fairly well-known anti-gun sheriff seems to have shot himself in the hand on Wednesday night while cleaning his firearm.
Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone negligently discharged a round into his left hand, and was subsequently transported to the hospitals emergency room. His injury has been described by medical personnel as non-life threatening, but a hand surgeon was called in to assist.
According to the Iowa Firearms Coalition, Johnstone has advocated for more and more gun-free zones. But perhaps Johnstone is most well-known for his statement from 5 years ago.
When Iowa’s concealed carry law went from “may issue†to “shall issue,†Johnstone campaigned diligently against the change. He predicted ‘Wild West shootouts,’ and called it “A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.â€
Well, here we are five years later, and Johnstone’s ‘Wild West shootouts’ never happened. However, there may be some truth to the lawman’s statement. If all gun owners were irresponsible enough to negligently shoot themselves, it might have been “A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.†Fortunately, that doesn’t happen because most gun owners are trained and responsible.
I’d like to recommend the sheriff take one of those gun safety classes that Iowa concealed carriers have to take. He might learn something. In the meantime, I’m leaving a few pointers below for the Sheriff to read during his recovery.
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
I remember telling my oldest son. The minute you unload a gun, it always reloads itself. Treat it as if it is always loaded! "You'd be surprised how many people are killed by unloaded guns".
Yep.
Don’t you have to pull the trigger to take down a Glock?
RULE III only applies when target shooting.
I was always taught a second half to that rule: "Be sure of your target and what's behind it"
Exactly! It can’t be done.
I watched another management LEO on a tv news piece talking about the "dangers" of Glock handguns. His story was so implausible that he made himself look like a fool.
The one thing I don't like about the Glock is the lack of a hammer, and only for the reholstering evolution. It is nice to have a hammer to rest your thumb on when pushing the gun into the holster. If something is interfering with the trigger, you can feel the hammer move and know you have problems. Cleaning a Glock is not an issue, except for the careless.
It's the solstice, the day light starts to win over darkness.
I’d pay up for a video. It wouldn’t even have to be as “instructive” as Tex Grebner’s.
I believe it was George Nonte who many years ago opined that most police are not firearms enthusiasts. To them, a sidearm is just a tool of the trade, like a pen. They don’t shoot recreationally, and as a consequence, don’t gain the familiarity with their guns weekly shooters do. Of course, this also suggests that most of them can’t shoot worth a hoot in hell, either...
Burlington is just across the river from me. This guy does not have a stellar reputation. Wrecked his squad a few months ago.
Nope, it wasn’t dry - and it got a LOT wetter (and redder).
“...anti-gun sheriff seems to have shot himself ...”
Gee, Sheriff... Karma really is a bitch, ain’t it...
Aim high, I always say.
:^)
Nip it! Nip it! Nip it in the bud Andy!
” His injury has been described by medical personnel as non-life threatening”
It would have been life threatening if he had shot himself in the ass.
See post #35.
My hunch as well...
Or some other iteration of the excessively unnecessary gun handling, unloading/loading, clearances etc. prescribed by hoplophobic chiefs of police and city attorneys for the sake of “safety”...
The service pistol our good buddy “Barney” carries should be placed in holster and there remain until he removes his uniform at the end of the day, and go into safe storage or whatever mode of overnight his department directs...
NDs are the result of unsafe gun handling, and too many NDs of unnecessary gun handling...If someone you don’t know offers to “show” you their gun, run away...
LOL
Had to be put up in a tent with a bunch of 1st Cav
chopper pilots at a firebase once.
This Capt kept playing with his 45 and sure enough
it went off and put a round about 2 feet from my cot.
I always wondered how that guy made Officer.
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