Gunshot

Well, I've never spent my evening cleaning up after a gunshot -- until today.  My nephew ended up shooting himself in the leg, so while he was going into surgery, my wife and sister and I cleaned up the blood at his house.

Good Lord, this is so surreal!

I am not a fan of guns.  I was trained when I was younger in gun safety and how to shoot rifles, shotguns, and handguns.  I don't like it.  We don't own guns.  In my nephew's case, he and his family are what one would have considered careful gun owners.  The guns were kept in a safe.  But only one gun had a trigger lock on it.  It turns out that the other gun - the one without the lock - had a bullet in it.  The guns needed to be moved, as some painting was going to be done in the house.  Well apparently, while moving the guns, the one went off.  My nephew was the only one home and fortunately had the focus to be able to call the police/ambulance, and to call his mom.

I never would have thought that I would spend an evening of my life cleaning up someone's blood after a gunshot wound!  We don't live in a "bad" part of town.  We're a "normal" family, regular jobs, etc.  This is why I do not like guns -- gun accidents happen too easily.

So this evening my nephew was very lucky.  He's undergoing surgery.  He'll need some lengthy rehabilitation, but should be OK overall.

Thank you God.

Comments

[Thomas Duff]

We shall now refer to you as "the cleaner"... :-)

[Jerry Carter]

Sounds like a static buildup discharge -- if the conditions are right, ammunition can accidentally go off via static shock, the kind you generate walking accross carpet in a dry room is sufficient. I guess your nephew will always check the chamber now and remember to always cary a gun like it's loaded - thank God he lives after learning that lesson.

I have a gun, and I keep it secure and never load it unless I'm going to shoot it at something I intend to kill (like a stray cat, coon, or possum) or maime (like a tin can). Guns just arn't handled real well by the majority of folks, no slight to your nephew intended, which is why there are gun laws and gun law proponents. They are dangerous things, this is certain. But (anyone see that 'but' coming?), they are a vital part of how we gained our freedom and as socialism becomes ever more popular in our political system, guns are the last line of defense we have against loosing that freedom. I personally believe citizens (not all, of course) should take it upon themselves to learn how to handle guns at the very least, if not own one. Aside from preserving freedom against the neo-socialist boogeymen, it's a proven fact that criminals prefer unarmed vicitums. Just a thought....

[Joe Litton]

Yeah, I go back and forth on this one. I have a lot of family and friends who own guns, and I was trained how to use them. I would never support a ban on gun ownership! Choice is important, and I choose not to own guns.

[Jerry Carter]

I posted a follow up on my site, Joe... too many bytes!

http://www.datatribesoftwerks.com/members/datatribe/DatatribeBlog.nsf/archive/20040106-129062?OpenDocument&count=-1

[jonvon]

glad your nephew is ok. really glad. man, that must have been nutty.

personally i wish that all guns everywhere would disappear. *poof*, and all weapons of any kind. esp really big weapons like missiles and bombs.

but then i'm very idealistic when it comes to stuff like that.

i think when push comes to shove i'm actually not a pacifist, even though i'd like to believe i am. if someone came into my home and threatened my wife or daughter i'd have no problem doing very bad things to them. with whatever i had at hand.

what really needs fixing is the human heart.