How to deal with an AD?

[StephenT]

Today, after returning from the gun show, I accidently shot off a round from my new Olympic Arms Ar-15. I was watching TV and not paying proper attention when inserting that loaded magazine. I live in an apartment complex in Houston and the 5.56 round made a clean hole through my ceiling at a 60 degree angle. I was immediately worried about my upstairs neighbor (who isn't home), but it looks like the round didn't make it to his place. The round went through some wood and insulation in the ceiling, but was stopped by a layer of cement.

Some of you have had these AD happen to you in a city setting. In my case, no one called the police. My question is: what now? Pretend nothing happened? Tell me about your similarly humbling experiences.

 

[B36]

Patch the ceiling, and keep the empty case on your desk as a reminder.

 

[Ryder]

Many years ago my uncle shot a hole into Grandpa's living room ceiling one night with a pellet rifle. He plastered that up in a hurry and Gramps died ignorant as far as I know.

I have a hole in a picture frame/wall/built in bookcase that will remain as an ugly reminder to me for a long time to come... But then I own the place.

If I was living in an rented apartment I'd plaster it up and play don't ask , don't tell. Worked out alright for my uncle.

 

[StephenT]

I've already patched up the ceiling to conceal the crime.

 

[Jubei]

You should swear off firearms forever...and forward the offending AR-15 to me for proper disposal.

As long as nobody was hurt or there was no property damage (except for the ceiling), then no harm, no foul.

Jubei

 

[Chupacabra]

Today, after returning from the gun show, I accidently shot off a round from my new Olympic Arms Ar-15. I was watching TV and not paying proper attention when inserting that loaded magazine. I live in an apartment complex in Houston and the 5.56 round made a clean hole through my ceiling at a 60 degree angle. I was immediately worried about my upstairs neighbor (who isn't home), but it looks like the round didn't make it to his place. The round went through some wood and insulation in the ceiling, but was stopped by a layer of cement.

Some of you have had these AD happen to you in a city setting. In my case, no one called the police. My question is: what now? Pretend nothing happened? Tell me about your similarly humbling experiences.

Ugh! That's my worst nightmare.

I have neighbors living below me and on three sides. The building is old and the walls only have plaster and whatever else they used back in the olden days. A bullet in any direction (except the exterior wall, which is brick) is going to go through all of it easily.

If I did have a ND, I'd call the police and the manager and knock on my neighbor's door to make sure no one was hit.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Your one lucky fellah. Lucky no one was home and it didnt go thru the roof.

Why were you loading an AR-15 with live rounds in the living room when you had no need for a fully loaded rifle?

 

[E36M3]

Not to rub salt in the wound, but (just speaking for myself) I would immediately sell all of my firearms and not look back. I'd be done for life.

 

[Atticus]

How to deal with it?

1) Fix damage (as you did)
2) Keep it to yourself and close friends
3) Thank a higher power that no one was hurt
4) Do some serious reflecting on how and why this happened
5) Do some serious reflecing on what could have happened
6) Never allow those same conditions to be repeated

I no longer dry fire with ammo or mags within reach (ammo in another room is even better). When I'm done -I'M DONE- the gun gets put away.

 

[StephenT]

I was planning to keep the AR-15 as a HD weapon, but I think I may revert to a 12 gauge shotgun because of the penetration issue. Good thing my neighbors are away today!

 

[JohnKSa]

Make sure no one was hurt.
Survey the damage.
Repair, or make reparations for, the damage.
Run the air/heat fan for a few hours straight and then change the filter.
Wipe down surfaces to remove residue.
Vacuum area.
See about taking steroids to lessen permanent hearing damage.
Think about it EVERY time you pick up a gun.

I see no reason to tell anyone whom you can verify is not affected.

 

[Zach S]

My question is: what now?

Repairs we're made, no one got hurt, so be thankful for that now, and be more careful from now on.

It happens to a lot of us. Once.

 

[fjolnirsson]

My ND experience, and steps I followed:

1)Check underwear to see if soiled.
2)unload and disassemble firearm.
3)check outside for screaming or injured neighbors.
4)check exterior of dwelling for penetration.
5)find and remove round from plaster interior wall.
6)put away gun.
7)shot of rum to stop the shaking.
8)Reflect on possible consequences of ND.
9)Reflect on possible consequences of ND.
10)Don't touch gun for 1 week
11)reevaluate 4 rules of safety.
12)Become religious about 4 rules.

 

[Rimmer]

I keep ammo and firearms in separate rooms, locked. The only exception is my CCW and when that gets cleaned I do it with no one home. Remove Mag and rack slide in "ammo" room, double check for clear then proceed to cleaning room. Once cleaned I pick-up Mag and top off then it's off to the back porch to load.
The CCW is the only firearm that is ever loaded on my property and that is the only procedure that I allow myself to follow.

PS If my routine is interrupted for any reason, telephone, knock at the door, etc. I start from the beginning after I'm alone again. The reason for all this is an Uncle accidently shot himself years ago and Dad set down rules, which I have lived by ever since.

 

[wasrjoe]

Don't do it again.

I do all my dryfire practice by removing ammo, all ammo, from the magazine in the firearm. I make sure the chamber is cleared a couple of times. Then, I remove the firing pin.

I'll be damned if I'll have a ND.

 

[ExMachina]

I was planning to keep the AR-15 as a HD weapon, but I think I may revert to a 12 gauge shotgun because of the penetration issue. Good thing my neighbors are away today!

Penetration wise, your better off w/ the 5.56 over most service handgun calibers. If you use buckshot i nthe 12ga, than you're better off w/ the 5.56 too!

 

[pezo]

revert to a 12 gauge shotgun

not to make light of this story but could you imagine the drywall repair after an AD with a 12 gauge.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

not to make light of this story but could you imagine the drywall repair after an AD with a 12 gauge.

it didn't happen to me but....

not only does it require drywall repair, but also siding, stud replacement, sheathing, and insulation as well...

 

[Chuck Jennings]

The urban version of SSS: Shoot, Spackle, Shut up.

 

[reagansquad]

I cannot have an ND ever. Not only is it the usual dangers, but I fear that my woman would leave me over it. Plus I live in an apartment...

I'd say my worst ND fear is having my shirt catch the trigger on my glock whilst reholstering. I go slow and make sure it goes in there right.

 

[Powderman]

I was planning to keep the AR-15 as a HD weapon, but I think I may revert to a 12 gauge shotgun because of the penetration issue. Good thing my neighbors are away today!

Your 5.56 is a definite keeper for HD. Just load it with 40 grain softpoints, and you're good to go.

A 12 Ga. will cut through walls without a problem; and that's with a shot shell. Don't even think about slugs.

Also, consider having your hearing checked. The boom of a .223 going off indoors is no joke.

 

[SkunkApe]

As usual, I am concerned about what I perceive as a somehwat cavalier attitude towards negligent discharges.

When the antis say things like "it might just go of", we belittle them, but when a guy fires a rifle inside his apartment building, we say things like "shoot, spackle, and shut up".

I'm pretty close to E36M3 on this one:

Not to rub salt in the wound, but (just speaking for myself) I would immediately sell all of my firearms and not look back. I'd be done for life.

I know it's popular for people who've had a negligent discharge to gain some solace by sharing their crime with fellow gun-safety sinners on this board, but I see it as a load of feel-good Kumbaya crap. For me, barring actual combat or mechanical failure, there is simply no excuse for firing a gun when you don't intend to. If you were my neighbor and fired a rifle round into my floor, and I found out about it, there'd be hell to pay.

StephenT, If I were you I'd take a long, hard look at my reasons for firearm ownership and whether or not the benefit outweighs the risk.

 

[HankL]

Stephen, You did not have and AD you had a NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE or ND. If I were you I would get rid of all firearms, motor vehicles and power tools until such time you can give these items the required attention.

I agree with SkunkApe about the perception of less than serious attitudes about a very serious problem. :banghead:

 

[Bwana John]

I have a young friend that will not "dry fire" any guns. The only times he puls the trigger is to discharge a cartridge. I dont think he will have many ND's. I on the other hand do dry fire all the time. After spending the last 3 years in school with him, I not only think, but I know he is smarter than me.

 

[Powderman]

Folks, don't crucify the guy. I'm sure that he is doing that enough to himself.

Who here can say that they have NEVER had either an ND or have come VERY close to having one?

To the original poster:

Take a good long look at what happened, as I'm sure you have done. Now, realize that those four safety rules that everyone talks about are the Gospel of firearms. Read them again, and remember them well:

1. ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED. PERIOD.

Always treat each and every firearm like it can load itself if given the chance. Even if you just put it together.

2. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT.

If you don't touch the trigger the gun can't shoot. Period.

3. NEVER POINT YOUR MUZZLE AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO KILL OR DESTROY.

This is perhaps the rule that saved your life here. The gun was pointed away from you, at least. And thank God the construction stopped the bullet.

4. BE SURE OF YOUR BACKSTOP AND WHAT IS BEYOND.

Where is the bullet going to go after it goes through what you're aiming at?

A very wise shooter once said, "There are two kinds of shooters. Those who have had an ND, and those who are going to have one."

So, let's not crucify this guy, and let's not judge him. Remember, but for the grace of God, there go I--or you.