HyannisNews.com - Local News from Hyannis Cape Cod, MA

Marie - good points - bottom line: 1st rule in responsible handgun ownership: if you pick up a gun, assume it's loaded until you can prove it is not. I agree this fella is very lucky he did not hit an artery and die. I also feel he is lucky nobody else died either. I personally wish him the best, dispite his almost fatal lapse in common (and when it comes to guns, regulated) sense... You make an interesting point in that his injury may equate as "time served" - - personally, I don't believe the police are interested in making a huge case over this. Hey look at Dick Cheney's stupid move!
(Posted by Robert J. Bastille, 13 February, 2008 22:49:48)

I don't think he should be charged with anything, especially discharging a firearm within 500 ft of a dwelling. IT WAS A FREAKIN' ACCIDENT, for crying out loud. Perhaps someone had left the firearm to him and he hadn't touhed it for YEARS! Perhaps he had just fished it out of where ever it was, didn't think it would likely be loaded at all after such a long time, and decided to clean it. Why does it sound fishy? It sounds like an accident exacerbated by total stupidity to me! I think he has been punished enough for his stupidity. If that bullet had hit his femoral artery, he would have bled out in a matter of seconds!
(Posted by marie lancey, 13 February, 2008 22:33:51)

Any responsible gun owner will tell you that you have to assume all guns are loaded before handling.The next step is to confirm that it is not.Period.This does sound fish y and at the very least irresponsible. Full Message
(Posted by concerned, 13 February, 2008 19:30:29)

Thanks for the input Jay. I am trying not to be too hard on him. If I were to talk with Mr. Crocker right now, I'd tell him how happy I am that he is still sucking air, to walk another day on this side of the turf. If I were to see Mr. Crocker, I'd tell him how happy I am that a child was not killed. If I were to see Mr. Crocker, I'd say "I bet you're not going to do that again." If I were to see Mr. Crocker, I'd say "it's a good thing this didn't happen in Hyannis because you'd likely be in jail right now. You see Jay, without breaking out the law books I know that his Colt was a "revolver" and that's a handgun in my book (especially if someone points it at me…). Again I ask, what in the world was this gun owner doing cleaning a loaded black-powder weapon? Was he being a responsible gun owner? What if some neighborhood kid found this loaded weapon (since we're being hypothetical) and pointed it at his little brother's head and pulled the trigger, or dropped it on the ground, or tripped with it? would it had fired and possibly killed someone? I've fired black powder weapons before and they often make bigger holes. Very powerful, sometimes not as accurate. I also find them less stable than modern firearms, all the more reason to be an ambassador for responsible ownership. Thanks for the comment Jay. I’ll try to find out more about exactly what type of Colt…
(Posted by Robert J. Bastille, Hyannis News Editor, 13 February, 2008 00:39:50)

Don't be too hard on him. First of all - a musket is not considered a handgun in MA, it is a "Primative Arm". He may have wanted to shoot it that morning and figured he'd clean it prior to going to the range - a good practice to follow. I do agree that something's amiss here though....A loaded musket won't fire unless it receives a spark, or charge. Most of these old guns use a percussion cap, which is plainly visible on the exterior of the weapon. When one is cleaning the bore on such a weapon, the cleaning rod is inserted into the barrel and worked toward the breach. If the rod doesn't go in all of the way - you know it is loaded. I am not passing judgement - may have been put away by someone else who had loaded it and not fired off the round (that's the only way to unload it).
(Posted by Jay, 13 February, 2008 00:10:40)

Loaded Antique Revolver Responsible for AM Shooting?

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