Sunday, August 26, 2012

Colorado Man Loses Fingers in Shotgun Shell Accident

via Steamboat Today from Outta the Cornfield

A 21-year-old Clark man suffered severe hand injuries Tuesday after the shotgun shell he was taking apart exploded, according to the Routt County Sheriff’s Office.

Keith West told deputies that he was working in his shed in the 56000 block of Lupine Drive off Seedhouse Road when the accident occurred. West reported he was using a Dremel power tool to take apart the shell, which he thought no longer was a live round. The tool hit the round’s primer, igniting the round.
One Fly expressed a nice sentiment, "Hope this guy heals fast and becomes much better for it."

This brings up one of the recurring themes around here.  Do people who have "accidents" learn from their mistakes and become even more careful afterwards.

I would imagine the answer is in some cases, yes, in some cases they learn for a while and then slip back into their improper behavior, whatever it was, and in some cases, no.

That's why I preach the one strike you're out rule.  When it comes to guns and ammo, we cannot take any chances.

What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.

7 comments:

  1. There's a good chance this young man could have been a city boy living in Clark north of da boat where population is sparse compared to some places.

    Many people in our society have little common sense not only this kid.

    You don't learn life's skills jumping into daddy's SUV to run down a couple blocks to a 7/11 or what have you to pick up a gallon of 2%.

    Having said that as they say I've seen a lot of city folk do very well in a outdoor environment.

    I agree if screw ups are made with guns punishment in various degrees would be in order. It's human nature to screw up and shit happens. There was a trained guy who accidentally shot himself right next to me years ago. I bet he learned. Was so glad it was not me.

    Some things get shot here just the way it is. Not often though. For quick access at times consider leaving this shot gun loaded in the house close at hand. Just can't do that. It's bad enough the shells are right next to it.

    I have opened a few shells before. Not like in the story and maybe I was lucky.

    Thanks for the link!


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  2. "That's why I preach the one strike you're out rule. When it comes to guns and ammo, we cannot take any chances."

    And that is what is sooo absurd. Why can we not afford to take any chances with guns and ammo but we can afford to continue to take chances with 4,000 lb cars that kill many more people each year?

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    1. To me it's not absurd at all.
      Guns are made to kill. Cars are made for transport, that's the difference.

      But, absurd or not, why can't you accept my choice to dedicate my blog to whatever the fuck I want to. What's your problem?

      Delete
    2. "What's your opinion? Please leave a comment."

      My opinion is that:

      -you really understand (or want to understand) what is a complex issue
      -you ignore facts that are not in line with your world view
      -you don't like this particular analogy because is its the situation into accurate perspective

      I understand that your blog is about guns. You have said that several times.

      I don't see why us using this analog to highlight your stilted thinking is so offensive to you ... except that you have no adequate response to it which seems to make you mad.

      Delete
  3. This wasn't, strictly speaking, a gun accident at all. The guy was taking apart a shell. According to the news article, the shell in question was a 10 gauge brass cartridge--in other words, for you gun control freaks who know nothing about guns, it could be over a hundred years old. It's not clear that the victim even owns a gun. He just found the antique and wanted to see what was inside it--the story doesn't give any details about the origin of the shell.

    So once more, your answer is to take away the gun rights from someone who may not even own a gun in the first place. It's surprising that you don't also want to take away his power tool rights, since it was his improper use of a Dremel tool that caused this, not a gun. My answer is that we need better education about firearms, both old and modern. This would impart skills, but it would also give the learners a sense of our history. But Mikeb, you're like John Kerry here--you're for education except when you're against it.

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  4. "the story doesn't give any details about the origin of the shell"

    But yet GC you label this shell an "antique" You manipulate the facts to suit your agenda. If there were not guns it's fair to say there would not be shells. In that sense it's also fair to say this was a gun related accident.

    Then you bring J. Kerry into this. And you believe you ooze credibility where you have just proved there is very little.

    There will be no other interaction with you unless it's to throw an insult back at you when you think there is a need to retaliate verbally with me for calling you out on your pure bull shit!

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    Replies
    1. One Fly, I don't know why you're getting pissy with me. You don't want to respond to what I say? That's your loss, not mine. I don't recall you interacting with me all that much, anyway. But do feel free to continue the pattern of control freaks everywhere. When their pet desires aren't stroked and fed, they curse, then take their toys and run home to mamma.

      As a parting shot, let's discuss the brass shell, though. Shotgun shells in the latter half of the 1800s were made of brass. A ten gauge was a common bore size in that period as well. Yes, this could have been a modern reproduction for someone in the Cowboy Action Shooting sport, but it's still an antique design.

      But you insist that there would be no shells if there were no guns. Uh huh, and the sky is blue when there are no clouds. Care to make any other obvious remarks? Perhaps you have some magic wand that will strip the world of all of its weapons? Don't bother using it. People will still kill each other.

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