VA Beach officer accidentally shoots another in training

[OakRidgeStars]

Ever wonder why every set of firearm cleaning instructions goes through the seemingly obvious steps to clear the weapon? Nobody needs that, right?

Wrong.

http://hamptonroads.com/2015/11/virgini ... r-training

D'oh!

[FiremanBob]

Another brain-dead "journalist" with a lefty agenda. Guns do not "go off".

[thekinetic]

Nope unlike the movies you can actually chuck a gun against the wall and so long as the trigger is not pulled it will not fire, there is a job at manufacturers that actually test this again and again to make sure each model is safe. So yeah until a firearm is in the hands of a human being it's just a hunk of metal.

[Swampman]

Cleaning his weapon? I think not. If it still had a round in the chamber, he hadn't gotten around to field stripping, never mind cleaning.

[SHMIV]

I note that alot of these negligent discharges seem to happen during "cleaning". Why is that?

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[MarcSpaz]

Because it sounds better then "I was just screwing around and I negligently pulled the trigger".

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[Snakester]

I see it all the time. People drop the mag. and think the pistol is empty. I always keep a close eye on new shooters or shooters that seem to know it all but really don't.

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[SHMIV]

When I got on my first truck, with my trainer, as soon as he pulled out on the road, he said to me, "When I started truckin' with my uncle, he told me that as soon as you know everything there is to know about truckin', it's time to hang up the keys for good, 'cuz you're dangerous. I reckon he was right."

I imagine that the spirit behind that comment applies to more than just trucks; it could apply to heavy equipment, chainsaws, or just about any dangerous activity, including handling firearms.

Know it alls feel superior, and lose respect for the things that they handle. When you lose respect for your gun, a negligent discharge is bound to occur eventually.

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[wittmeba]

When a gun is sitting on a table for cleaning it may not be in the best position to be picked up. The officer may have attempted to pick up the gun to clear and inadvertently pulling the trigger. There are many possibilities of how it happened -- none very excusable.

[jdonovan]

If it still had a round in the chamber, he hadn't gotten around to field stripping, never mind cleaning.

To remove the slide on many semi-autos you have to pull the trigger first.

[MarcSpaz]

Glock hand.

[grumpyMSG]

Nope unlike the movies you can actually chuck a gun against the wall and so long as the trigger is not pulled it will not fire, there is a job at manufacturers that actually test this again and again to make sure each model is safe. So yeah until a firearm is in the hands of a human being it's just a hunk of metal.

There are a pile of older firearms out there without a firing pin block. All the various 1911s, with the exception of the series 80 Colts and M1991A1s, are probably the biggest group. It is possible to drop a 1911 and have it go off. I am sure it is not the only pistol like that.

I note that alot of these negligent discharges seem to happen during "cleaning". Why is that?

At this point in time, Glocks are probably the most popular new purchase pistols out there, combine that with inexperience and inadequate training and since so many striker fired pistols require you to pull the trigger before you can remove the slide. The recipe is there for accidental discharges.

There are a large number of folks who don't handle firearms on regular basis and some law enforcement and military folks whose first experience with firearms were at "the schoolhouse". To give an example, about 15 years ago there was wedding here in VA. After the reception ended, a lot of folks adjourned to nearby farm to continue socializing. A good few of the guests were from the Long Island part of New York and at least one was a police officer. When my brother in law, a Roanoke Police Officer, and a few other folks opened up the trunks of the car or hatches on the SUVs, a few shotguns came out to kill a few clay pigeons, some .22s for the kids to shoot some aluminum cans and some pistols for other folks to try out Some folks had never shot anything before and were somewhat apprehensive. With my family, if you have never handled a firearm, you a going to get one on one attention and instruction before you are given enough room to harm yourself or someone else. The NY COP that was there, never imagined there were so many firearms in the family. Before then, the only weapons he shot were his service Glock and 870 shotgun, both during the academy and the pistol for qualifications twice a year after that. the pistol never even went home,it was locked up at the station.

[WRW]

Yes, but this was at an advanced training facility and a Captain shot a Lieutenant, not newbies to their trade.

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[Monkey]

Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. ALWAYS.

At least to the point where you've rendered the gun incapable of firing due to breakdown of components.

[grumpyMSG]

Yes, but this was at an advanced training facility and a Captain shot a Lieutenant, not newbies to their trade.

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Just because they have attained rank does not mean they have the desire to be more proficient with firearms. They may only fire them once or twice a year when qualification time rolls around.

[WRW]

So, you're saying that Virginia Beach uses Academi/Xi/Blackwater for qualification training? If so, they are not getting their value for a dollar.

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[grumpyMSG]

So, you're saying that Virginia Beach uses Academi/Xi/Blackwater for qualification training? If so, they are not getting their value for a dollar.

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I do not know where they do their training/qualifications. The article states, a number of eastern VA and NC departments use the facility.

The point I am trying to get across is that many LEOs only handle firearms when required to for work. There are plenty of Soldiers, Airmen and Marines that are in the same boat. I am surprised that there aren't more accidents at crime scenes by folks attempting to clear firearms they are not familiar with.

[FiremanBob]

There is nothing about Glocks that makes them inherently more dangerous, and certainly no "recipe" for negligent discharges. One NEVER puts one's finger inside the trigger guard until the mag is dropped, the slide has been locked open and the chamber checked for clear.

It is that simple.

[Viper21]

https://youtu.be/zw-jTCNZSmY

Still the funniest negligent discharge I've ever seen. "I am the only one professional enough to handle this gun...." BOOM....LMAO What an idiot

[OakRidgeStars]

That one will always be a classic.