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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMan accidentally shoots himself, wife during gun discussion at church
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/first-united-methodist-church-couple-accidentally-shot-tellico-plains/TELLICO PLAINS, Tenn. -- Police in Tennessee say a man accidentally shot himself and his wife while showing off his gun in church.
Tellico Plains Police Chief Russ Parks told The Knoxville News Sentinel that members of the First United Methodist Church were talking about guns in churches.
Parks said the man pulled out .380-caliber Ruger handgun, removed the magazine, cleared the chamber, and showed the gun. He put the magazine back in and returned the gun to its holster.
When someone asked if they could see the gun, he pulled it out saying the gun was not loaded and pulled the trigger.
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mikeysnot
(4,758 posts)in some peoples imagination....
MyOwnPeace
(16,951 posts)although the "prayers" part should have already been covered!
Kaleva
(36,395 posts)The poor woman found out the hard way that statistically, for women, a male acquaintance with a gun poses the biggest threat to her safety. The woman would have been safer had her husband never bought the gun.
MattP
(3,304 posts)maxsolomon
(33,449 posts)Even if he'd killed his wife, probably.
saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)What can be done to stop this insanity?
Sancho
(9,071 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
jpak
(41,760 posts)saidsimplesimon
(7,888 posts)regardless of your brand, continues to do more harm than good. Are you listening Pope Francis or BeBe?
BHDem53
(1,061 posts)onethatcares
(16,206 posts)and did a ..
ManiacJoe
(10,136 posts)you scare a bunch of people.
Violate two or more of the rules and someone is probably going to get shot.
Family members may need to have the hard talk about taking away Grampa's guns.