[Cactus Jack Arizona]

At Saturday's gun show in my area, there was the normal bustling around, the hall was alive with chatter, when suddenly a shot rang out. (I always wanted to use that tired old phrase). The hall went completely silent. People froze in the direction of the fired shot. Interestingly, the first thing I noticed was there was absolutely no panic amongst the crowd of men, women, and their children. Most people stayed where they were in order to let gun show security and local law enforcement get to the shooter without delay.

I've got to hand it to the gun show organizers, they announced the entire situation over the loud speakers once the facts had been learned. What happened was an exhibitor carried his CCW pistol into the hall. This is a contractual no-no that all the exhibitors sign. For some reason, this particular exhibitor felt it necessary to pull his personal firearm out to show a customer how to do something with it. This exhibitor assumed his CCW pistol was unloaded when he experienced the negligent discharge. :eek:

Fortunately, nobody was injured due to his stupidity. The exhibitor was visually shaken as a local Sheriff's deputy zip-tied the firearm slide open and put all his gun's ammo, including the spent casing into a zip-lock bag for evidence, and there were two hand written statements sitting on the table next to the firearm.

The party I was with left the gun show about 20 minutes later. However, I was completely amazed with how fast and professional the gun show security team and local LEO's handled the situation.

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

That's got a pucker-factor of 12.

Out of 10.

It's wonderful no one was injured.

KR

[joeq]

That just shows a pure lack of safety by both guys. No excuse for that kind of negligence.

[Double Naught Spy]

At Saturday's gun show in my area, there was the normal bustling around, the hall was alive with chatter, when suddenly a shot rang out. (I always wanted to use that tired old phrase). The hall went completely silent. People froze in the direction of the fired shot. Interestingly, the first thing I noticed was there was absolutely no panic amongst the crowd of men, women, and their children. Most people stayed where they were in order to let gun show security and local law enforcement get to the shooter without delay.

I have experienced almost the exact same thing at a gun show and am bothered by the reaction (or lack thereof) of the crowd.

As gun people, we like to think that we are situationally aware, will know how to respond quickly to threats, etc. We often comment on those not as personal security oriented as being ill prepared, failing to recognize threats, etc.

If a gun shot rings out at a gun show where nobody is supposed to have loaded guns, then you know something bad is occurring. Either you have a careless idiot who both broke the rules and mishandled a gun and hence is a safety danger to everyone, or you have somebody who intentionally discharged a gun and hence is a danger to everyone. Either way, the standard response by most people is to stand and gauk like frogs staring into the light of a frog gigger, regardless of how well trained they are.

From a personal security standpoint, standing still usually isn't the most prudent response by folks who can't return fire if necessary. The most prudent action would be to start moving cover, toward an exit, or otherwise making oneself a less viable potential target. Given that one shot isn't enough to motivate the vast majority of people into some sort of action in this sort of situation, I have to wonder just how many shots it would take to finally drive people to react.

[dacavasi]

Negligence is way too kind a description for this kind of blatantly irresponsible action...

[Oyeboten]

At a Gun Show one time, I was standing and admiring some old SAA Colts a seller had.

Guy walks up, picks up one of the old SAAs, then reaches over to the next Table, where the guy had all sorts of antique Cartridges, and, selects a few really old, live, .45 Colt rounds, and, he opens the Loading Gate, and is about to thumb one in, when I sort of put my hand over it and squeezed, making eye contact, where I said "Don't do that".


By then both Sellers were livid and coming around the Tables.


I have no idea what that guy would have done!!!


Maybe he wanted to see if it still worked???


Oye...

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Double, you have an incredibly valid point. I myself just sat on the bench, like the others, waiting for news. To tell you the truth, I was a bit stunned. I believe it was the first time I've ever heard a gunshot away from a gun range. The more I've thought about it, the more I wish I would have been a bit more proactive in securing my own safety as well as the safety of my brother and friend.

If this ever happens again, and I hope it never does, I will react a bit more logical and proactive about my own security.

Honestly, it could have very well been someone's last day on earth had the barrel of the firearm been pointed just a few centimeters in a different direction than what it was. Besides the other exhibitors, there were also 200-300 of the general public in that area.

By the way, it was reportedly a .45ACP.

[gun guy]

Most readers here can probably guage the "distance away" the shot was fired. In a crowd it may be hard to see the shooter but i would try to determine where it came from before i did anything. Not alot you can do if it's bang, and over, more than one shot and it's time to leave, you surely aren't considering, adding to the gunfight! If it were to be some kind of take over, multi person event, it could turn to a bloodbath in the next few seconds if everyone, or anyone rushed to help out. Let the police/security handle it. I usually wear my old cowboy rig, i might consider buying some 45 Colt, if it looked like a take over, then head out the door and find cover. As long as the rounds weren't getting too close, i been around gunfire before, no big deal.

[MovedWest]

Thank goodness no one was hurt!

This is firm confirmation of rules #1: All guns are always loaded
and #2: Don't point your firearm at ANYTHING you don't want to destroy.

-MW

[mace85]

And always carry a way to cut your guns zip ties if it all goes to hell ;-)

Of course that was sarcasm... But the more I think about it, not a totally bad idea.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[Nushif]

I have experienced almost the exact same thing at a gun show and am bothered by the reaction (or lack thereof) of the crowd.

I guess my question at this point would be what you would rather have as a response.

One would be that every single last one there runs and dives for cover, then "fights their way back to their car where they get their SKS" and come back just in case there is a bad guy?
On the other hand, everyone there could panic and well, panic. Run, scream and dive for cover, then wait around because nobody there wants to even remotely be around the guy with the ND in fear of losing their license.

I personally think the crowd as a whole made a very rational assessment. I think the crowd (in some sort of interlinked way) decided that the one shot, with no other violence of action, indicated an ND and well, went on their way after it was cleared.
Had there been something bad going on, it wouldn't have ended with one shot. There would have either been more shots, or shouting or *something.*
Let's face it, when a Platoon comes back from outside the wire and someone has an ND, they don't put the whole FOB on alert. Because when there are that many people handling that many guns ... and ND is likely, if not guaranteed. There simply is no reason to do anything other than further assess the situation until it either goes south or s a confirmed ND.

[scythefwd]

We had a person put a 7.62x54R round through the roof of one of our gun shows here. Heard there wasn't much reaction then either. I wouldn't react, and here is why.

I'll jump, just like I would to any loud noise. I'd recognize it as a shot milliseconds later.
1 shot - either its a ND, a suicide, the shooter has been physically restrained, or the shooters target has been eliminated.

2 or more shots - someone is going on a shooting spree and it's time to leave. My gun will be drawn while I leave. I won't be leaving by the main door if I can help it.

[killchain]

The gun shows I go to must be the only ones where they make you clear and ziptie your CCW pieces.

[Full Metal Jacket]

:eek:

[Old Guy]

The good part was, no one was hurt. Most likely a very good hollow point round, once it hit the concrete, a flat disk.

What thoughts on a full magazine in a pocket, your pistol zip locked?

Me? No, Why? because we follow rules that make sense, if the ND firearm owner had done so, no ND. I take my unloaded pistol into the gun show, all live rounds in the vehicle, good place to steal a pistol, a gun show.

[W.E.G.]

Do we get to know where this happened... or is it being deliberately kept a secret?

[Old Shooter]

I don't know about your shows, but the one In Roanoke, Virginia is always packed, shoulder to shoulder and the entire room just sort of shuffles arond from table to table, no room to pass or move over at all. If a shot rang out and people started running for the exits about all you could do is duck under a table while the rest of the crowd tramples each other to death. Perhaps while there you could cut the zip-ties on your carry piece and load up just in case it was an attack of some sort rather than an AD so the perp won't find you just sitting under there waiting to be shot.

Interesting subject to consider for next time I go, hadn't really thought about that possibility before.

[Hanzo581]

Wow, amazing no one was hurt, every gun show I have been to here has been packed, you couldn't spit without hitting ten people.

[Double Naught Spy]

Double, you have an incredibly valid point. I myself just sat on the bench, like the others, waiting for news. To tell you the truth, I was a bit stunned. I believe it was the first time I've ever heard a gunshot away from a gun range. The more I've thought about it, the more I wish I would have been a bit more proactive in securing my own safety as well as the safety of my brother and friend.

If this ever happens again, and I hope it never does, I will react a bit more logical and proactive about my own security.

I am in the same boat. About all I did was to hunker down and start looking for exits, not that I moved toward any. In fact, nobody seemed to move until the security folks came in from various doors several seconds after the shot. Then the voices of the crowd came back up to regular volume and people started moving anew. In our case, the ND was at the other end of the room. We got to see the vendor finish packing up his stuff and leaving with the cops. Neighboring vendors were quick to point out where he had shot the floor as there was a hole in the carpeting.

I wouldn't react, and here is why.

I'll jump, just like I would to any loud noise. I'd recognize it as a shot milliseconds later.
1 shot - either its a ND, a suicide, the shooter has been physically restrained, or the shooters target has been eliminated.

Of course it could be that the shooter is looking for other particular targets (which does happen with some workplace shootings) and so people start to think that the shooter is done when he isn't.

[oldfool]

I vote with those who say the crowd did admirably right
(reacting and responding are not synonyms)

about the worst case scenario in a crowded room with a ONE shot ND is "tactical-joe" going into his tactical hi-cap speed draw
and/or some wannabe idjit dropping yet another ND getting his safety off in a big hurry, or jamming a mag in

PS
so... if you whip it out... now.. where do you point it ???
(shoulder-to-shoulder people, wall-to-wall)

[scythefwd]

Double - the thought had crossed my mind, but I will put even money down that if the person looks like he's going to cause more trouble...there is a likely hood of a mob restraining him pretty quick. That or another shot will ring out, and possibly not by him. It's pretty stupid to go on a shooting spree where EVERYONE has access to guns and ammo.

[LibShooter]

The gun shows I go to must be the only ones where they make you clear and ziptie your CCW pieces.

I think in this case the offending CCW belonged to a vendor. They often come in early before the gun check station is set up. The vendors usually sign a contract stating none of the firearms at their tables will be loaded. And you would think you could count on guys who attend gun shows almost every weekend... for a living... to be responsible. :scrutiny:

Anyway, had I been there that day I would probably have assumed it was an "approved" blank firing and gone about my business. After I climbed down from the ceiling.

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't know why people are having a problem with the way the crowd reacted. The gun shows here are VERY crowded. If everyone panicked, someone would end up trampled. I guess it would depend on how close I was to the shot as to how I would react. Then again, I'm not exactly sure how I would, having not ever been in the situation.

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

Of course it could be that the shooter is looking for other particular targets (which does happen with some workplace shootings) and so people start to think that the shooter is done when he isn't.

I doubt that even the most determined spree shooter would choose a gun show as a target. The object of spree shooting is to kill lots of unarmed, defenseless folks in a short time. That's pretty hard to do when most everyone in the building could produce a functioning firearm in less than 1 minute. It sorta takes all the fun right out of it for the spree shooter.

It's pretty stupid to go on a shooting spree where EVERYONE has access to guns and ammo.

+1

I'd be puckered up tight enough to squeeze out a Tiffany's cuff link, but I don't believe I'd have panicked, dove for cover, or started trying to load one of my guns, unless there were more shots fired.

In short, I'd have gawked like every other "frog in the spotlight." The joy of that response is: 1. No one got trampled; 2. There were no wild "reaction" shots; and 3. Everything got back to normal pretty quickly.

KR

[oldfool]

the whole CCW or not CCW into a gun show, goes round and round and round
but it does beg the question re: the relative risk factor

gun show, hundreds of strangers in a big crowded space, with hundreds of guns, lots of ammo, but all guns unloaded, zip tied (at least all visible guns)
vs. public gun range, dozens of strangers, all for certain loading and shooting

doubt any here would be real averse to a range day
all things considered, public gun show far safer than your average public range
nobody ducks, runs, or goes for their CCW defense gun at the sound of a shot, not even a kaboom, at range
and not even a good RO can eagle eye everybody at once
it is a risk you willingly accept (other than directly observed stupidity by others present)

me, if I am alone at range, I am far more likely to keep my CCW on me, than if range is well populated with shooters... I usually will take it off, clear it, lay it on table

mebbe that's just an 'odds' thing, the predator only gets to pick out one in the herd, before the herd reacts and responds, I dunno, but I never have worried about myself unarmed inside a gun show space


PS
at most gun shows, no matter the posted "rules" and/or "request" signs
they do not have Homeland Security scanners at door, they cannot even arrest you if you CCW in anyway, just tell you to leave if discovered
and some very reputable and very responsible people on this forum, will CCW into a gun show in such circumstance
it is naive to suppose otherwise
I don't, some do, not saying they should choose as I do, just saying zip ties you see at shows doesn't mean everything is zipped tied, you know

[Sav .250]

Sounds like the Orlando Gun Show a month or so back. Same thing. I was there.

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

What thoughts on a full magazine in a pocket, your pistol zip locked?

At the shows in this neck of the woods, ALL guns are empty and zip-tied open. They also ban loose ammo and loaded magazines, but they don't search anyone's pockets.

The policy is, I believe, more of a CYA liability rule, and I have no problem with it as enforced. I'd guess at least half the guys at the show have a full magazine in a pocket, "just in case," and LOTS of the guys carry the micro wire cutters for popping off the zip ties to look at bores, check revolver timing, etc.

For what it's worth, I've been a regular show attendee for 20 odd years, and have only heard one ND at a Lexington show. That was 15 years ago or more.

KR

[SaxonPig]

Why were the cops taking property? If nobody was injured, I am missing where this is a police matter.

Maybe 30 years ago I was at a big gun show when someone cranked off a round from a high powered rifle. Same reaction as described by others. Nobody jumped or flinched, just froze. After about 3 seconds a voice called out; "Nobody is hurt!"

Then the crowd returned to normal activity. It was sort of surreal.

You have to be realistic. With that many guns being handled by that many people the odds will catch up with you from time to time.

[CZ223]

It is incredible the way people react, or in a lot of cases fail to react to the sound of gunfire. I would like to think that if I were in that situation that I would react appropriately and not over react. My definition of appropriately in this case is to get down low. With all of the other idiots standing there, there are plenty of easy targets left that you are probably safe. If a second shot goes off it is obviously time to do more.

On a somewhat related note, I was at home late one night when, what sounded like 3 shots came from outside. I was not the only one who heard the shots. I know this because my neighbors started gathering on the street. I went out as well, mostly to tell the ones I liked to take themselves, and there kids back inside. I was armed of course. We never did find out who fired the shots. Since we all heard a speeding car right before the shots, it is likely it was a couple of kids firing randomly from the car. Since I live in a pretty good neighborhood, I think a lot of my neighbors think that bad things can't happen on their street.

[oldfool]

Why were the cops taking property? If nobody was injured, I am missing where this is a police matter.

would have to ask them, I suppose, but such phrases as "reckless endangerment" and/or "discharge of firearm within city limits" might well apply
(it's a gun show, not a gun range)

in any case, I shed no tears for some idjit who drops an ND in any place like that
they will have to look elsewhere for their legal defense fund, not look to me
better arrested than punched in the head by some old fool (and far better for the old fool too)

[CZ223]

at the number of times this has occured. Several people on this thread have had this experience. That is a little bit scary. I have seen plenty of idiots at gunshgows and gunshops but never to this degree. Maybe I won't go to the gunshow at the end of the month.:rolleyes:
By the way, Old Fool is right, they should have taken his gun away.

[arcticap]

There was an ND at a busy local gunshop/commercial firing range when a lady returned her rented pistol to the rental desk in the gun store without telling the clerk that it was still loaded due to her inablility to clear it. He improperly attempted to clear it by aiming it at the ground and pulling the trigger when it went off, hitting the carpet. No one was injured and I didn't hear that he was ever arrested. But I do believe that he was fired and that the shop now checks each [rental] gun before it leaves the range.
So maybe it's the circumstances and place of the ND that leads to a judgement call of making an arrest. If an LEO is actually present or if there's a complaint, then there's the greatest likelihood of an arrest.

[ChuteTheMall]

I'm glad the crowd didn't panic and all dive for the same cover: Much of my time at crowded gun shows involves trying to keep some moron's slung rifle muzzle from hitting my teeth, while dodging backpacks and strollers.

Assuming the guy was being arrested and/or ejected, I'm glad the police were securing his valuable property on his behalf before leading him away.

Although I'd probably just freeze in place while evaluating the situation, I might be tempted to fix a bayonet onto a nearby rifle in case a riot breaks out. :rolleyes:;):p:scrutiny:

[3:00hold]

The crowd didn't stay put because each and every person logically deduced that the chance of the gunshot being accidental and singular was greater than the chance of injury if they were to leave in a hurry.

The crowd stayed put because when faced with evidence that something has gone horribly wrong, most people refuse to believe that they're in danger. Lost hikers do it all the time.

Luckily, in this case, they were right.

[Owen Sparks]

When a single shot is fired inside a very large room like this it is very hard to tell what direction it came from because of the echo.

[Sky]

Physiologically and psychologically speaking when a human is confronted by the unusual they usually freeze for a moment while they process the information. It's in the breed. Once they have been confronted by a situation (and lived through it) they then second guess what they could have done better and when confronted by a similar event they tend to react differently. Have seen and heard people talk about all kinds of stuff they would do in a given situation (macho) only to mess their pants when things hit the fan. Anyone can be cool for the first couple of mortar rounds but by the 20th even atheist are asking God to please make them quit!

In the military, in a real combat unit which kills and is killed, when replacements arrive they are "New Guys" (derogative name) . The new guys are to be seen but not heard. Eyes open watch and learn. If they survive the first couple of engagements/situations they learn and are more apt to respond in an appropriate manner as time goes by. The military and many law enforcement agencies train for all kind of situations but an ambush is an ambush and again a millisecond can mean the difference between taking one for god and country or as Patten once said something to the effect, " Your job is not to die for your country but to make the other guy die for his"! We are all New Guys in some ways/situations; that is why those who are prone to be in life and death situations on a regular basis (not talking about the paranoid individuals who perceives Zombies around every corner) are always training/second guessing and rear seat driving every event they read/experience or hear about. Just my opinion

[SlamFire1]

In my town, must have been 15years ago, a guy buys a S&W semi auto with ammunition and magazines. On leaving the entrance to the gun show, but still inside the Civic Auditorium, he inserts a loaded magazine and cuts the wire tie strap. Somehow this, and I was told the wire tie strap interfered with the trigger, created an accidental discharge and the guy shoots himself in the gut. It severs his spine so now he is in a wheel chair.

This was enough so the anti gunners in city hall banned Gun Shows at what is the biggest and best building for these activities in the city.

The more these things happen, the less gun shows there will be.

[Guns and more]

As crowded as gun shows are, I'm surprised someone wasn't hit.

[Captcurt]

We have a sign at the door: No CCW!

It is amazing how some people are so nonchalant when it comes to handling weapons. We had lawyer shoot a hole through the wall of the Sherrif's office when a Bail Bondsman let him handle his conceal gun. And this was after he was told that it was loaded.

Moral of the story?

Don't give a loaded firearm to ANYBODY!!!

[ny32182]

Every now and then we have a thread about how bad it is that CC isn't allowed at many gun shows and gun shops... well, this is why. Because some moron is going to pull out his loaded gun and introduce it into an environment where everyone assumes all the guns are unloaded. This is probably done 1000 times for each time an AD is the result, regardless of the rules.

I'm also curious about what kind of "reaction" some people expect from the crowd in this case. It is a room full of thousands of guns and hundreds or thousands of people. Lets think about the odds here; what is more likely in the case of a single shot heard in this environment?

1) AD... seems to happen so often that a good portion of gun owners are of the opinion that "there are two kinds of gun owners... those who have had an AD and those who will".

Or 2) You are witnessing the start of a mass shooting. The upper estimate of how likely that is to happen to any of us in any given year is somewhere aroud 3*10^-7.

Having everyone charge the exit would make the situation FAR worse than a single gunshot did.

[Shadow 7D]

Part of it is most people don't see the immediate cause, like gun guy points out, one bang can be anything, most likely a ND, bang, bangbangbanb, I'm ducking and out of there. So being still, can also be seen as preparing to act, really what do you expect, a stampede to the doors????

[Leanwolf]

2075 RAMI - " At Saturday's gun show in my area, ..."

Where is "your area??"

L.W.

[jonmerritt]

Wife and I were in town at the grocery store, while taking our bounty to the pickup, we heard 2 rounds from a shotgun (no mistake it was a shotgun). We both got real aware of our surroundings and watching people and vehicles, and keeping an eye looking in the direction of the shots. We loaded up and got the $#%% out of there! 2 blocks away in the other direction, cop cars went flying by, no lights or sirens, but in a big hurry. We didn't stop and look (perfect target), we started moving our butts out of there.

[Badlander]

Where was this gunshow?

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

The show happened in Springfield, Missouri. There was about an hour left in the day's show when it happened. I gather from what I've been reading that I more than likely did react in the best way possible for just a single shot ND.

I'm not sure just how one determines what is an accidental discharge and what is a negligent discharge. I would think that an Accidental Discharge is when you are at home and decide to clean your weapon without clearing it. Although I'm sure it was an accident from his point of view, I would think that in this case, with hundreds of people around, it would be classified as a Negligent Discharge.

I believe that the LEO's were right in the taking of property in this situation. Accident or not, they have to make a full report and that would include the firearm and any fired/unfired rounds still in the gun. I don't think it will be a situation where he will lose his weapon permanently, it's just a normal procedure that is required of LEO's. The vendor will probably get his pistol back in 3 days or so. However, I'm not sure if he'll lose his CCW permit or not. I'll have to keep up on the story when/if more comes out in the news from what we were already told at the gun show.

[thezoltar]

I think most experienced shooters would say an ACCIDENTAL discharge is a mechanical failure and a NEGLIGENT discharge is human caused.

[Justin Holder]

At least no one screamed "Run for your lives! He's got a gun!"

It sounds like everyone did the right thing by staying calm and allowing the LEOs to do what needed to be done.

[MinnMooney]

What is the crowd supposed to do? I hear shots all the time out here in the country, at the range and during hunting. I've grown accustomed to hearing shots sevral times a week. I don't flinch. I don't worry. I look in the direction of the shot to see if something is good, bad or ugly. Otherwise, little to no reaction............ just like the gunshow crowd.
Let's not over create a "much ado about nothing".

[SaxonPig]

Was the guy arrested? If so, why? Usually an arrest in this sort of situation is after review by the prosecutor to determine if a crime was committed or if it was simply an accident.

Even if he was arrested, why are cops bagging up guns other than the one involved in the AD? This sounds like forfeiture without due process to me. How would you like it if the cops decided to impound your car after a minor traffic accident? And not just the one you were driving, mind you, but they tow away all the cars parked at your house.

[orionengnr]

I'm not so sure that this is as common an occurance as some seem to believe.
In the last six years I have probably been to at least fifty gun shows (my wife would probably estimate the number to be at least double that, and she might be right).

At only one time have I heard a round discharged. It was about a year ago at Dallas Market Hall. I had just paid, gotten inside, and was looking around for my friend when I hear a shot from just outside. I would guess that someone was "clearing" his handgun before going inside.

I moved pretty quickly away from the entrance :)

Never heard any more details, but since there is generally a police presence, I would bet his day did not get much better from that point on.

[Oldfalguy]

Assumed- there ya go
While this was a way stupid thing to happen thank goodness no one was hurt-
Its a miracle with these type of idiots stealing oxygen. Why do these exhibitors think they need a damn ccw in the first place- Do they think if someone comes up to rob them at their table they are really going to hit the leather in that environment?
It seems the last 3 times there has been a shot fired at a gunshow its been an exhibitor feeling the stupid need to show someone HIS pistol- like he is really going to prove/show a customer something they can not show with a piece on the table.

As an aside, I am not sure this was in any way the customer fault-

"This exhibitor assumed his CCW pistol was unloaded when he experienced the negligent discharge."

Unless the reporter meant otherwise but felt the need to use the "he" pronoun and not use the few additional letters it would take to say the customer.

[LibShooter]

Was the guy arrested? If so, why?

Many gunshows take place in city or county owned convention centers. There may be an ordnance against carrying there.

[Oldfalguy]

thezoltar that is an excellent way to put it-
"I think most experienced shooters would say an ACCIDENTAL discharge is a mechanical failure and a NEGLIGENT discharge is human caused."

Any inconvenience this incident caused the exhibitor is tough titty- He shouldn't carry-

Several years ago I was at a show in Austin and a fella standing next to me asked a vendor about a shoulder rig for his 40 XD. He pulls it out of his fanny pack.
(why these are called fanny packs when worn under ones belly eludes me)
Anyway, he pulls it out racks the slide THEN pops the mag-
I am already moving............BANG hits the guy that was on the other side of me in the thigh and down he goes. The look on the shooters face was indeed priceless.
Of course I imagine mine was something too.

[DustyVermonter]

OldFalGuy, wait...you were actually standing next to a guy at a gun show and he was shot. Holy cow!!! Some people are really stupid, I'm definitely CCWing to the next show I attend, if someone shoots me in the damn thigh I'm puttin one in their thigh....and their damn foot!!!

[DustyVermonter]

I think if gun shows ever become a thing of the past due to these ignorant, flat footed, mind numbingly stupid morons that call themselves gun owners, we should all make a collective effort and go door to door, 2 guys for each visit, 1 guy to hold the 'ND' down, and the other to brand an 'XS' on his forehead. 'XS'=Xtra Stupid 'ND'= Negligent Dumbass

[oldfool]

rule #1 - cardio
rule #2 - always know your way out
rule #3 - stay out of NY
rule #4 - stay out of Vermont
rule #5 - ???????

(life is a learning process)

[rocky branch]

I've seen 4 NDs at gunshows over about 50 years.

No panics and thankfully no injuries.
The last two resulted in dealers being drug out and possibly banned.
Ass kicking would have been in order.

Most crackpot gunshow theory I ever heard was when I made fun of somebody packing behind his table.

Theory was a smaller show might get taken over by an armed gang and these guys apparantly would hold he line and defend everybody.

Thankfully in this case no ool panicked and created chaos.

[Oldfalguy]

Dusty-
It seemed to take forever for the guy to keel over-
Would have been plenty of time to plug the idiot in return
Forever being my perception of time- reality being more like 1.3- 2.2 seconds (hahaha)
Ever heard of a ND at a proper gun store? mmmmm why is that?

[Bovice]

At all the gun shows I've ever been to, you are asked at the entrance if you are carrying a gun or any ammunition.

On the tables, there are tons of guns... All empty and zip-tied. What good does this do in terms of response to a shooting spree? Generally speaking, there's a good distance between ammo tables and firearm tables. And even if you're carrying ammo, you still have to load up.

[Double Naught Spy]

Ever heard of a ND at a proper gun store? mmmmm why is that?

Simple. There are rarely hundreds of people packed into gunstores to report such incidents. They aren't apt to be reported unless somebody is injured.

However...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=467010&highlight=shop+negligent+discharge

http://www.13wmaz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=74801&catid=153

http://www.ultimateclearlake.com/2010/07/pinkie-severed-accidental-shooting-league-city-gun-shop

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/05/18/Woman-accidentally-shot-in-butt-at-store/UPI-12871274216684/

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/man-accidentally-shoots-himself-outside-jupiter-gun-store-221338.html (okay, this one is stretching it a bit, happening in the parking lot)

[jlasserton]

I have been to many gun shows and that has never happened. I always imagined one day it would. It is nice to hear how the staff and security was on top of the situation so fast. Thanks for sharing your story!

[Unistat]

From a local (Michigan) gun owner's forum. It happened on 08-07-2010. At first I thought that this incident was what this thread was referring to.

SHOT FIRED AT THE BIRCH RUN GUN SHOW

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
today about 4:45 one of the vendors pull out his glock to show someone and pull the trigger discharging a round that bounced off a couple walls and the ceiling no one was injured but a lot of people crapped their pants.

[CHEVELLE427]

was at a gun shop once and someone had brought in a lot of old C&R guns in for sell.

i was looking at a few and found a live round in one, shop owner liked of croaked when i told him what i had found.

[ozarkgunner]

I would have had the same reaction. I used to live in East LA. so random shots were not a surprise to me. The first time it happened when I moved my family back to LA, my wife was freaking out and wondering why I wasn't getting off the couch and checking it out or calling police. I told her a single shot was not something I really worried about. since there was no car speeding away, or any screaming, I saw no reason to panic.
If I was at a gun show and that happened it would be the same thing. no screams, no one hurt, no big deal. Other than the lack good judgement.

[Double Naught Spy]

Well, I have to admit that with all the talk on the forum about personal safety, security, heads on swivels, color codes, etc. that folks need more than one gunshot in a confined space before they are going to be bothered enough to take any action.

It just strikes me as odd that people are more concerned with seeing unsavory-looking people in their neighborhoods that haven't done anything wrong than they are when a shot rings out at a gun show.

Interesting mindsets.

[Buckeye]

I was in Bien Hoa Viet Nam in 66 shortly after most of the flight line was wiped out after an accidental bomb blast. After the blast groups of friendlies wound up firing at each other thinking the base was under fire. The same thing could have happened here. If some one had loaded up and was seen as a bad guy, who knows what kind of a war would have started. Sounds like it was a good time to let security handle it.

[Phydeaux642]

rule #5 - ???????

Rule #5 - Stay away from gun shows. I can buy jerky at the grocery store.

[Mark in California]

There was a gunshot at the Reno show on Saturday. I was told it was security checking to see ifthe weapon was loaded. At lest one guard thought all you needed to do was pull the trigger. No one was hurt.

[Old Guy]

Double N S

I am in the same boat. About all I did was to hunker down and start looking for exits, not that I moved toward any.

The hunker down bit is a natural reaction, taking you head lower.

I will now tell a wee story! Any Texans, cover your eyes!

A few years back, shooting an Annual Match (USPSA) standing next to an Ex Marine (no such thing as an ex Marine! OK) anyway this young Chap was about 6'4" and 200+ lbs. Built like a truck, he was employed as a Body Guard, I had no reason to doubt that fact.

One of the stages (dumb one) had you slide over a window ledge (prop, very solid, low enough, and wide) well to continue, big guy... really big! Read fat.. not nice? OK but true, managed to hook is big butt, and fell! Forty five in hand,
which muzzle swept the crowd!

I promptly stepped behind said big Texan! He turned on me "I saw that" he said,
quite peeved. I said how many Americans here? He said Hundreds, I said "As far as I know there is only one Scouse, me"

I walked by him a few times over the week, he always pointed his finger at me!

Last one, Honest! Saw a young guy, same Match, about 5'7" he had a ball cap on, it said. Proud to be from Texas I pointed at the hat, "Thought all guys from Texas are huge" He looked at me, and said, "I am a Texas midget!"

Broke me up! OK Texans, uncover your eyes.

[OffshorePerformance101]

Most of the unsafe behavior I've witnessed at gun shows revolves around the homies, wanna be thugs, and the kids in high school who are experts on military weapons because they play call of duty and watch future weapons. I can't believe one of the venders would be so careless, and quite frankly, stupid for letting such a thing happen. Our Sun Coast gun show here in Fort Myers is usually so packed it would be hard to not hit something. It really makes all of us look bad when stuff like this happens. I've been handling a wide array of firearms on a daily basis since I was 12 (21 now), and have never fired a shot I didn't intend to shoot.

I've always tried to get more people into shooting to promote our sport, and to free the misinformed from the "guns are bad" indoctrination built into alot of folks. Although I must say, they're some people who are inherently careless and have absolutely no place near a firearm.