New Dad Killed By Stray Bullet While Celebrating Baby's Homecoming

Charles Edward Shislerr

Huffington Post

A new father was shot and killed Tuesday night by what officials believewas an accidental shooting by a neighbor.

Steven Justin Ayers, 33, and his wife, Jessica Ayers, were celebrating the homecoming of their 3-day-old baby with family members in their home in Panama City, Florida, The News Herald reports. Around 6 p.m., a bullet hit Ayers in the back of the head. He died on the spot.

Deputies believe the bullet came from a handgun fired by 62-year-old Charles Edward Shislerr whose home is directly behind Ayers', according to the Jackson County Floridian.

Shisler allegedly told deputies that he fired the gun accidentally while trying to pick it up by the trigger.

“The damn gun doesn’t usually shoot," he said, according to an arrest report obtained by The News-Herald. “You have to squeeze the hell out of the trigger to shoot it.”

He was charged with manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to WMBB. His felon status stems from a 2006 conviction for carrying a concealed firearm.

A fascinating case, which prompts several questions.  One, what happened to his face? Two, who picks a gun up by the trigger?  How can you even do that? And three, was carrying a concealed weapon without a license a felony?

Of course, the other question which applies to all the cases in which a prohibited person misbehaves with a gun is, where did he get it?  Who was the last lawful owner of that particular gun and how did he lose possession of it?

Lawful Florida Gun Owner Shoots and Kills his Friend Unintentionally - No Charges - Lengthy Investigation Continues

Kyle Guessford, the shooter

Austin Brunson, the dead friend


Local news reports

Manatee County, Florida -- A roommate was showing off his new pistol and accidentally shot, and killed, his roommate.

Kyle Guessford and Austin Brunson were at their home on 50th Avenue in Bradenton with two other people who were visiting.  Kyle was in his room checking out several accessories he had just purchased for his pistol and came out his new firearm in his hand.

As he entered the living room he switched the weapon mounted flashlight on and the firearm discharged hitting Austin in the head. 

Austin was pronounced dead when the EMS arrived.

There was no fighting or arguing prior to the incident which appears to be accidental. The investigation continues.

Florida Bill to Allow People to Carry Weapons During Emergencies Appears Dead

Naples news reports

After more than an hour of discussion Thursday, it appeared legislation creating an exemption to state concealed weapons laws during a mandatory evacuation might be dead this legislative session.

The Senate bill (SB 296) allows for those without a permit to carry a concealed weapon when the governor calls for a mandatory state of emergency like a hurricane. An amendment that passed 23-15 limited the exemption to 24 hours after the evacuation is declared.

That didn’t sit well with the bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, so he “temporarily postponed” his bill. With just one day left in this year’s legislative session, it means the bill likely won’t pass.

State Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, the amendment’s author, said the underlying bill didn’t give clear enough parameters to when the exemption ended.

“Where I have a little difficulty is the lack of specificity in what your language means,” he said of the amendment, which was written by the Florida Sheriff’s Association.

Brandes said he opposed the amendment because he didn’t want people to get in trouble during the “25th hour.”

Florida Lawful Gun Owners Charged with Negligence

Holly and Jeremy Hardy

Local news reports

Jeremy Hardy, 32, and Hollie Hardy, 35, were arrested Wednesday and both charged with culpable negligence, according to South Daytona police reports.

The couple were attending the Sprint Unlimited race Feb. 15 at the Daytona International Speedway while their 13-year-old son and his friend, also 13, were home baby-sitting the shooter’s 3-year-old brother at the family’s Lemon Road residence, according to the reports.

Police said the Hardy parents left four loaded firearms in the home where they were accessible to the children.

The friend asked the Hardy’s teen son what he would do if someone tried to steal his parent’s car, which is when the Hardy’s son grabbed a .22-caliber rifle from a mounted gun rack and began waving it around, according to the reports.

The friend asked if the gun was real and that’s when the Hardy’s son cocked the forend back and accidentally struck his friend’s elbow with a round, according to the reports. The friend was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando for surgery.

Florida Dropped Gun Injury Leads to Common Sense Safety Suggestions

The Sun Sentinel

A Hollywood man who was cleaning his .38 caliber handgun accidentally shot himself in his buttocks, police in that city said Monday.

“An adult male in his 20s was cleaning his firearm when it fell to the floor and discharged, [the bullet] hitting him in the buttocks,” Hollywood Police Lt. Derik Alexander said Monday.

“He is not going to be charged with anything,” Alexander said. “He was in his home. There was no foul play or suspicious incident.”

Alexander said there are basic rules one can follow to avoid being wounded by one's own weapon.

"Generally speaking, all firearms should be handled with care," said Alexander, who emailed the following tips: 

• The firearm should be UNLOADED prior to cleaning.
• The magazine should be ejected.
• If firearm is a revolver, the “wheel” of the gun should be empty, with all cartridges expelled.
• A semi-automatic firearm should have the barrel cleared by manually pulling the slide back. 
• The firearm should then be disassembled and cleaned with the proper materials.

Florida Man Killed in an Accidental Shooting - Shooter Arrested

Austin Jones the shooter

Fox News reports

A 20-year-old Longwood man has passed away from injuries suffered as a result of a possible accidental shooting, authorities say.

Seminole County deputies responded to Dunwoody Commons condominiums over the weekend in reference to a call reporting a shooting.  Once on scene, they found Christopher Negron with a gunshot wound to his head.

Austin Jones, 19, of Sanford, was arrested in connection to the shooting and charged with manslaughter. 

According to witnesses, Jones was showing a handgun to two friends. They indicated that Jones believed the gun was unloaded when he cocked it and pulled the trigger, causing the gun to fire a single bullet that struck Negron just above the eye.

Jones is currently being held at the John E. Polk correction facility on a no bond status.

Now, what was so hard about that?  Were his civil rights violated by such a swift arrest? Why was there no need for a lengthy investigation?

Fascinating Second Amendment Discussion at the Florida House Judiciary Committee

I can't wait to hear the gun-rights fanatics who comment here explain away the fact that the Sheriff's association opposes permit-less concealed carry during emergencies while, according to them, cops generally agree with them on gun rights issues. Let me guess, cops are different than sheriffs, right?

The other interesting thing is that one of the speakers said 20% of Floridians have concealed carry permits.  Wow. I suppose that means that the next public mass shooting we have there in which no one intervenes will be because not a single one of them happened to bring their gun that day.

Florida Woman Fired for Carrying a Gun at Work In Violation of Company Policy

Ivette Ros

Market Watch

Ivette Ros carries her 9-millimeter handgun almost everywhere, saying it makes her feel safe. Then she brought it to her job at Wells Fargo, where she worked as a branch manager, and it got her fired.

So Ros is suing the bank, saying it violated her constitutional rights and other protections afforded under Florida law. The bank, which bans employees from carrying guns on company premises, replied in a court filing that only the government, not a private employer, can be sued over alleged constitutional violations. The case in Florida is unfolding as part of a bigger debate on how far the rights of gun owners extend into the workplace.

Wells Fargo & Co. bans employees from bringing guns into work except in very limited cases, such as when employees are granted permission by a chief security officer at the bank. Says the bank: “Possessing firearms and weapons on company premises or at company-sponsored events is dangerous to team members and is strictly prohibited.”

Things started to unravel around July. Wells Fargo’s corporate security received a complaint that Ros was bringing a gun to work. So corporate security came to her branch and asked her if she had a gun in her car and if she’d ever brought it inside the building. She said yes. The following week, she was fired.

Florida 2-Year-old Dead - Lengthy and Thorough Investigation Continues - Charges Very Unlikely

Local news

The self-inflicted shooting death of a Pensacola toddler is still being investigated, Escambia County officials said. 

A 2-year-old boy reportedly shot himself in the head at a duplex in the 1500 block of South Fairfield Drive the morning of March 1. 

The death is being investigated as an “accidental shooting,” Escambia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Deputy Delarian Wiggins said the day of the incident. 

Sena Maddison, Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said on Friday that the shooting is still being investigated, and that she did not have a timeframe for its completion. 

A representative of the State Attorney’s Office said they cannot comment on whether any charges will be filed in the shooting until the investigation is complete.

Dom Raso - Guns in Businesses

As usual with the gun-rights fanatics, the truth takes second place to the exaggerated rhetoric. Dom says there have been 2.5 million concealed carry permits issued in Florida. Then he says they're all potential customers for YOUR STORE.  In what he must think is a slick way, he's gone from all the permits ever issued, including I suppose renewals as well as those that have expired, making it sound like there are truly that many out there.  Well, this site says there are less than half that, at least when you count active permits.
I'm sure his other stat about how few have committed crimes is equally false.

Another interesting thing in this video is his insistence that all these concealed carry permit holders are continually on the lookout for lawbreakers. I've been told quite the opposite, but let's run with it. Dom Raso himself claims to be "trained, prepared, and always on the lookout for those preparing to do harm to others in this country." Does he think of himself as some kind of super-hero who's continually scouring the entire country for wrongdoers?

And the clincher, "Why would you want to keep guys like me out of your store or business?"

Well, one reason might be because guys like him are dangerous.  People who see themselves as judge, jury and executioner would not be welcome in any business of mine. And let's face it, even if Mr. Raso is as trained and prepared as he claims, but your average Florida permit holder is not. Many of those guys are inadequately trained and prepared, and sure to be a liability in any emergency.

Lawful Florida Gun Owner Finally Charged with Daughter's Death

Thomas Chambers


Local news reports with video

The father of a 3 year-old Lake Worth girl that shot and killed herself is now criminally charged with her death.

The tragic story unfolded last month when investigators say Thomas Chambers’ three year-old daughter, Zuri, accidentally fatally shot herself in the head with his gun inside their Lake Worth home.

Deputies arrested Chambers this past weekend and charged him with aggravated manslaughter of a child. 

No one answered the door at his home and a woman had no comment at his place of employment.

Court documents obtained Monday show the father told investigators that he left the loaded Kel-Tec 9 mm on the table while getting dressed for work so he would not forget it.

The father told investigators that his daughter shot herself while he got dressed for work in another room. The affidavit also revealed deputies found another loaded pistol adjacent to a play pen and a unloaded shotgun in a closet.

The information is redacted on the affidavit but mentions at least two incidents inside of the home with someone playing with a gun. 

A judge released chambers on his own recognizance.

Bumbling Florida Gun Owner Shoots Himself and a 12-Year-old - Special Treatment Follows

Local news reports

Orlando police say two people were injured in an accidental shooting, including a 12-year-old girl.

Police say a man was at a home handling a firearm when it accidentally went off and shot the man in the thigh.

Police say a 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in a car traveling on the same street was also shot in the arm.

Both victims were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police are still investigating.

Florida Lawful Gun Owner Shoots Himself Accidentally After Attending Gun Safety Class

Raw Story

Police in Boynton Beach, Florida responded on Friday to a call from a man who claimed he had accidentally shot himself. According to the Palm Beach Post, officers found the man in the bed of his pickup truck nursing a gunshot wound to the leg.

The injured man explained that he was headed home from a gun safety class and had stopped on the side of the road to inspect his Glock pistol. He told officers that he had removed the ammunition clip, but failed to remove the bullet in the weapon’s chamber. As he was manipulating the slide, the weapon discharged.

Police provided emergency first aid treatment at the scene, then transported the victim to a local hospital.

Florida 3-Year-old Dead - Charges Possible

Local news reports

Authorities said a 3-year-old Lake Worth girl died Thursday after what appears to be an accidental shooting.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's officials said Zuri Chambers was shot with an unsecured weapon. She and her father were the only two people in the house. Zuri was flown to Delray Medical Center, where she died Thursday night.

A sheriff's spokeswoman said charges are possible because Florida law requires that weapons in homes be kept securely.

Florida Couple Arrested for Accidental Shooting Way Back in December

Local news reports

Two people involved in an apparently accidental shooting at a Boca Raton apartment have been arrested.

Boca Raton police investigators determined that Erin Steele, 20, and Joshua Henry, 23, were responsible for the shooting of Justin Holt on Dec. 1 at Gables of Town Place Apartments, 21445 Town Lakes Drive. 

At the time of the shooting, Holt’s family said they believed it was an accident and harbored no bad feelings for Steele. On Friday, after learning she and Henry had been charged, Holt’s grandfather called the news a surprise and said the family had no comment.

“We’re just going to let things happen as they happen,” Michael DiFiore said.

Police say Henry brought a firearm to a friend's apartment and showed it off. He unloaded it and allowed everyone to "dry fire" the handgun. Afterward, he reloaded the handgun and placed it on a counter.

Later, Steele picked up the gun and pointed it at Holt, her boyfriend, and pulled the trigger. Holt was shot in the chest. He was taken to Delray Medical Center where he later died.

Everyone present gave the same version of events, Boca Raton police reported. Steele had a high level of THC in her system, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana

Steele and Henry, both of Pompano Beach, were arrested Thursday afternoon in Broward County, where they both live. They are held in Broward County Jail on a charge of manslaughter by culpable negligence, awaiting transfer to Palm Beach County.

Florida Teen Dead - Accidental Shooting with an AR-15

Local news reports

Von Wright, Jr.

 COCOA, Florida -- Just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Brevard County Sheriff's deputies responded to 3648 Tomlin Drive in Cocoa, Florida for a call that a person had been shot at the residence. 

Upon arrival, deputies found 18-year-old Reginald Von Wright, Jr. of Cocoa unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest.  Wright was airlifted to Holmes Regional Hospital in Melbourne, Florida where he succumbed to his injury. 

Investigators believe that Wright was accidentally shot by 25-year-old Steven Donte Speed who lives at the address where the shooting took place.  According to evidence uncovered so far in the investigation, Speed was making repairs to an AR-15 rifle while seated in the living room of the residence.  As he was working on the firearm, the victim entered the residence and sat on the couch across from Speed.  As Speed continued handling the weapon, it discharged once, with the bullet striking the victim in the chest.  Speed immediately called out to other persons in the residence to call 911. Sheriff's spokesperson Major Tod Googyear stated in a release that Speed provided this information during interviews conducted by agents from the Homicide Unit of the Sheriff’s Office.

Speed

The investigation into the incident is ongoing with a detailed examination being conducted at the residence by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit.  An autopsy is scheduled to take place this morning at the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s office. 

Once completed, the results of the investigation will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office in order to determine if any charges are applicable in this case. 

Eastern Florida State College Changes Gun Policy Following Shooting in Parking Lot

Local news with video

Eastern Florida State College has changed its policy to allow guns that are secured in cars following a shooting in the parking lot last week.

The school did not previously allow guns in cars, despite an appeals court ruling in December that recognized the students' right to have them.

Landrick Hamilton, 24, said he shot another man in self-defense as he was being attacked Thursday.

Amado Contreras, 25, was hospitalized in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The new policy allowing guns has not been written yet, but it will apply only to cars in the parking lot, with the gun secure and out of sight.

Several students told WESH 2 News they support the policy change.

"I saw the guy getting beat down. The gun practically saved his life," said student Rio Gonzalez.

Florida Man Accidently Shoots Self After Firearms Safety Class

Local news reports

A South Florida man accidentally shot himself in the leg while on his way back from a firearms safety class, police said.

The accidental shooting occurred about 9:45 a.m. Friday near Congress Avenue and Neptune Drive in Boynton Beach.

Police said officers found Eric Morkert sitting in the bed of his pickup truck with a gunshot wound to his right leg.

Morkert told police he'd just left a firearms safety class and had pulled over to inspect his new Glock 17. Morkert said he removed the magazine and was manipulating the slide when the gun discharged.

Paramedics arrived and took Morkert to Delray Community Hospital for treatment. He was expected to be OK.

Police took possession of the gun.

Michael Dunn Pleads Not Guilty

Michael Dunn, the 45-year-old man who shot and killed 17-year-old Jordan Davis in a Florida parking lot, has pleaded not guilty and is using the state's Stand Your Ground defense.

Fox News

Was it murder or self-defense?

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in Florida in the trial of 47-year-old Michael Dunn, a software developer charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in the November 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Jordan Davis outside a Jacksonville convenience store.

Authorities say an argument over loud music led to the shooting. Davis was parked in a vehicle with three friends outside the store. Dunn and his fiancé had just left a wedding reception and were heading back home when they stopped at the store and pulled up next to the sport utility vehicle that Davis was sitting in.

An argument began after Dunn told them to turn the music down, police said. One of Davis' friends turned the music down, but Davis then told him to turn it back up.

According to authorities, Dunn became enraged and he and Davis began arguing. One person walking out of the convenience store said he heard Dunn say, "You are not going to talk to me like that."

Dunn, who had a concealed weapons permit, pulled a 9 mm handgun from the glove compartment, according to an affidavit, and fired multiple shots into the SUV, striking Davis in the back and groin.

Dunn later told police he felt threatened. His attorney has said Dunn saw a gun and shot in self-defense, perhaps laying the ground work for a case under Florida's "stand your ground" law.

Too good

Come on, you know you want the US to be a Third World shitehole deep in your heart?  Otherwise, why the fuck are you working so hard to make it into one?

Yeah, you don't want the US to be like all those other developed nations when you can be like a Third World Shitehole.