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tman065
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Post subject: Deputy wounded Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:16 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:19 am Posts: 810 Location: Northern MN
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This is from police one, but it looks as though the original source is The Chicago Sun Times
My greatest Glock fear, and why I try to be extra careful.
Ill. deputy accidentally shoots self
Quote: 03/02/2009
Ill. deputy accidentally shoots self Editor's note: Law Enforcement Firearms columnist Richard Fairburn says, "If you handle guns long enough, you will probably get a bang when you didn’t expect one. Good, stressful training can eliminate most of your officer’s negligent discharge problems, but not all of them." Read his article Causes and cures for the negligent discharge for more information on gun safety.
By Nicholas P. Alajakis Chicago Sun Times
WAUKEGAN, Ill. — A Lake County sheriff's deputy was airlifted to a hospital Friday morning after accidentally shooting herself at the County Building parking garage.
Karen Harris, a 22-year veteran of the sheriff's office, was recovering from surgery Friday afternoon at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. She is expected to make a full recovery, authorities said.
At 8 a.m. Friday, Harris was removing her service weapon from the trunk of her car on the third floor of the parking garage when the gun fired, sending a .40-caliber bullet through her right hand and into her abdomen.
Waukegan police determined the trigger was pulled by a hanger stuck in the trigger guard, said Waukegan police Cmdr. Wayne Walles.
"It's an accident. It could absolutely happen to anyone," Sheriff Mark Curran said. "We pray for her, and we feel terrible for her."
Harris, 46, of Gurnee, was taken first to Vista Medical Center East and later flown to Lutheran General. She was conscious and alert after surgery, police said.
The Waukegan Fire Department and other court security deputies responded to the scene almost immediately, said sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Thompson.
There is no protocol on where deputies keep their weapon, but some put them in their car trunk, Curran said.
Harris is the daughter of former Waukegan Ald. Frank Harris. Attempts to reach the family Friday were unsuccessful.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun Times
(bold added)
_________________ Proud, Service Oriented, Rural LEO, or "BADGED COWBOY" Certified MN Carry Permit Instructor
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joelr
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Post subject: Re: Deputy wounded Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:13 pm |
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The Man |
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Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:43 am Posts: 7970 Location: Minneapolis MN
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tman065 wrote: My greatest Glock fear, and why I try to be extra careful. That's not because you're smart -- although you are -- but because you're not stupid.
I really, really like the grip safety on the XD series, as it prevents -- to the extent that the proper use of a safety device can prevent, which is not quite 100% -- that sort of problem.
_________________ Just a guy.
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Smurf
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 12:29 pm |
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Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:13 pm Posts: 30 Location: Lino Lakes
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Seems to me that if the weapon had been properly cased/holstered while in the trunk of the car, the trigger would have been covered and this whole situation could have been avoided....
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J. R.
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:12 pm |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:17 pm Posts: 351 Location: west 'burbs
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Quote: through her right hand and into her abdomen
Umm, just a guess here, but, maybe not pickup your gun by the barrel?
_________________ For English, press 1
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a911scanner
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Post subject: Re: Deputy wounded Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:12 pm |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:59 am Posts: 300 Location: Near Hwy 101 & Cty Rd 5
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joelr wrote: tman065 wrote: My greatest Glock fear, and why I try to be extra careful. That's not because you're smart -- although you are -- but because you're not stupid. I really, really like the grip safety on the XD series, as it prevents -- to the extent that the proper use of a safety device can prevent, which is not quite 100% -- that sort of problem.
I agree with you Joel. That's why I currently own 2 of them.
MM
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DeanC
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:18 pm |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:54 am Posts: 5270 Location: Minneapolis
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The XD's grip safety probably would have helped in this case. So would have proper gun handling.
I have caught myself a couple times turning my XD into a Glock by engaging the grip safety by pushing on it while I holster the gun.
The #1 safety still looks like this:
_________________ I am defending myself... in favor of that!
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dmr-22
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Post subject: Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:00 pm |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 4:41 pm Posts: 116 Location: Columbia Heights
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I’m trying to imagine this and I cant seem to figure out if she did anything right. Can you imagin picking up a gun and not noticing there is a hanger attached… What? And arnt people supose to get into trouble for this crap? I don’t think anything happened to the cop at the gun show either.
_________________ I luv it wen a plan comes 2gether
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340PD
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Post subject: Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:05 am |
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Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 12:02 pm Posts: 188 Location: Saint Paul
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As stated, the first issue seems to be improper storage of a loaded gun with the trigger exposed. Major mistake. But my biggest concern is that the few times I've shot a glock I remember the trigger pull being pretty heavy. My questions are: How was she gripping the gun in the first place? How hard and how long did she have to pull on it before it fired that she DIDN'T notice a coat hanger attached to the gun? I suppose she probably just reached in the trunk and yanked the gun out. I'm still confused on how she shot her hand and her abdomen. As someone said, did she grab it barrel first? Inquiring minds want to know.
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cobb
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Post subject: Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:53 am |
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1911 tainted |
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Joined: Sun Aug 07, 2005 2:47 pm Posts: 3045
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J. R. wrote: Quote: through her right hand and into her abdomen Umm, just a guess here, but, maybe not pickup your gun by the barrel?
Yep, makes perfect sense to me.
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PocketProtector642
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Post subject: Re: Deputy wounded Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:03 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:36 am Posts: 702 Location: St. Paulish
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tman065 wrote: Quote: Law Enforcement Firearms columnist Richard Fairburn says, "If you handle guns long enough, you will probably get a bang when you didn’t expect one. Good, stressful training can eliminate most of your officer’s negligent discharge problems, but not all of them."
Quote: At 8 a.m. Friday, Harris was removing her service weapon from the trunk of her car on the third floor of the parking garage when the gun fired, sending a .40-caliber bullet through her right hand and into her abdomen.
Should read: when she accidently fired her gun using a coat hanger.
_________________ Proud owner of 2 wonderful SGH holsters. "If man will not work, he shall not eat" (2 Th 3:14) "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" -Jesus (Luke 22:36)
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Erik_Pakieser
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Post subject: Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:35 pm |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:16 am Posts: 364 Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Smurf wrote: Seems to me that if the weapon had been properly cased/holstered while in the trunk of the car, the trigger would have been covered and this whole situation could have been avoided....
Agreed. This could NOT "happen to anyone" who followed good storage and safety procedures.
NO mechanical device is a substitute for good safety procedures.
She has my sympathies for her injuries, but not her judgement.
I hope she recovers and learns from this.
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chuckw
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Post subject: Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:23 pm |
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Journeyman Member |
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Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:59 pm Posts: 84 Location: Minnetonka
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That's one of the reasons that I'm so fond of paddle holsters - I can transfer gun from hip to trunk and back without the trigger ever being exposed.
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DTDK
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Post subject: Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:38 am |
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Joined: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:35 pm Posts: 40 Location: SD and MN
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who on earth would leave a gun to rattle around loose in a trunk full of crap?
further more who on earth would do that with a loaded gun?
wow, really wow
and apperently the answers are her
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tullibee
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Post subject: Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:09 am |
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Senior Member |
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Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:49 pm Posts: 282 Location: Brooklyn Center
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I can't believe no one beat me to this:
BAN HANGERS! (and foolish judgement by people that should know better...)
looks like a combination of poor decisions at work on this one. muzzle control being the most blatant in my mind, followed closely by "what the heck were you thinking" to put the loaded gun in your trunk in such a way that a hanger could get into the trigger guard? Glocks are pretty darn simple - keep things OFF the trigger and it won't go BOOM!
That's not necessarily a bad thing either - if/when you NEED it to go boom, all you have to do is point it at the danger and put your booger-hook on the trigger and pull gently until it goes boom. It's a pretty simple concept if you engage safety #1 (brain).
_________________ what part of "shall not be infringed" is so hard to understand by so many people?
gun control means hitting where you aim!
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mrokern
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Post subject: Re: Deputy wounded Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:27 am |
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Longtime Regular |
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:40 pm Posts: 2264 Location: Eden Prairie
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joelr wrote: tman065 wrote: My greatest Glock fear, and why I try to be extra careful. That's not because you're smart -- although you are -- but because you're not stupid. I really, really like the grip safety on the XD series, as it prevents -- to the extent that the proper use of a safety device can prevent, which is not quite 100% -- that sort of problem.
A grip safety may stop stupid by sheer coincidence, but it can't prevent it.
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