Target Shooters Fire at Oxygen Bottle, Injure Four

[Jeff F]

Four people are being treated for injuries after being hurt in an explosion during a target shooting incident in an area near Chimney Dr. in Sun Valley.

Washoe County Sheriff’s Officials say around noon Saturday, two women and two men were hit by metal shrapnel after an oxygen bottle was shot at, and exploded.

The four were reportedly not target shooting themselves, but watching others practice.

The 24-year-old woman was taken to Renown by Care Flight where she was treated for lacerations and possible broken bones in her legs. The two men were transported by REMSA for cuts and possible lower leg fractures. The other woman took herself to Renown after suffering minor cuts.

Police say the incident is still under investigation, but alcohol doesn’t appear to be a factor.

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/82516402.html

I can't believe they thought this was a good idea.
I can just see it in my mind, Hey everybody, watch this.

 

[hso]

And this is why we tell folks that responsible firearms use doesn't involve shooting at junk.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

i might have done that when i was 16. with a 30.06 from a quarter mile back or maybe further.
the title should read "morons" rather than target shooters. and i assume it was friends of theirs that were smart enough to stand that close to the o2 bottle? plenty of stupid to go around thankfully no one got killed

 

[Werewolf]

Lawsuit at the very least.

IMO the shooters belong in the joint for reckless endangerment.

 

[wishin]

They were also risking ricochets causing injury even if the oxygen bottles hadn't exploded. Those bottles are pretty heavy gauge steel and cylindical - a perfect glancing medium.

 

[W.E.G.]

similar with propane tank
idiots and lots of profanity
how would you like this to land in your a lap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFPedGsqtrs

 

[Officers'Wife]

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.

 

[<MoA]

Zing!

Here's a famous YouTube showing a smarty shooting a 50BMG at a steel plate...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLTvUNn3Suo


Ooops! THEN they make the right decision, after the fact.....

Darwin Awards anyone?

 

[wishin]

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.

Is that the same as, You Can't Fix Stupid?

 

[EP1990]

So nice to know that people have to almost die before anyone decides its time to call it quits.

 

[joeyl]

Who do you think they're going to sue first? The gun mfr, the ammo co. or the oxygen tank maker for making such dangerous things.

 

[Maj Dad]

They should switch to launching anvils. At least no shrapnel, although incoming can be an issue if you get off 90 degrees vertical elevation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lLeSJyxRYY

 

[Mike J]

I'm trying to remember (it's been a long time since welding class). It's something like 1100 psi pressure in those tanks. A company I have worked for at times had a truck driver badly injured once by a CO2 bottle blowing up while he was moving it.

 

[Sav .250]

"alcohol doesn`t appear to be a factor." But stupid does!!

 

[doubleh]

2200# is the maximum pressure allowed in oxygen cylinders. That is quite a bit when released instantly.

 

[Alex23]

The shooter(s) should be prosecuted for abject stupidity.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Sheriff's report says it was a small oxygen bottle. Most small, home bottles are made of aluminum and hold 2200 psi. Aluminum explains how a round could easily penetrate. Too bad the shooter escaped injury.

 

[wishin]

Who do you think they're going to sue first? The gun mfr, the ammo co. or the oxygen tank maker for making such dangerous things.

A hungry lawyer will sue all the above plus the landowner, the tank filler, the bullet maker, etc,, et al, as named defendants. That's after the shooter is found not quilty by reason of stupidity, of course.

 

[Webbj0219]

sounds like they were standing too close to it. I used to shoot at a 100 pounder that someone left out in the Nevada desert. It had already been shot-up and covered in black suit like it had been on fire at one time. I figured it was a good man-sized target. Id try to hit it from maybe 50-60 yards back with a pistol. I could tell when I hit it because it would ring.

 

[EddieNFL]

sounds like they were standing too close to it.

Yep. Their fault. The shooter should seek reimbursement for time lost, fuel traveling to and from the range, emotional distress and whatever else his lawyer can think of.

 

[danprkr]

title should read "morons" rather than target shooters

Amen brother.

 

[481]

This incident should serve as proof again that one should be smarter than the equipment one has chosen to operate.

 

[toivo]

I think they should sue the shooter's parents for having raised such a dumb b*****d.

 

[MachIVshooter]

And this is why we tell folks that responsible firearms use doesn't involve shooting at junk.

To hold to that too staunchly doesn't leave much room for having some fun.

But.......what they did was reckless.

We shoot at all kinds of old cars, appliances, etc. But we're doing it on a large piece of private land, we know the surroundings (nothingness), we know the risks, and we take appropriate precautions. Does that mean that we're never in any danger? Of course not. But all parties present know the risks and accept them, and we observe safe distances for people and property that we don't want damaged.

I see nothing wrong with using compressed gas bottles as targets-even flammable ones-as long as appropriate precautions are taken. If I were going to shoot at, say, a small propane bottle, I'd do it when the ground is covered in snow so there's no risk of fire, and I'd be at least 300 yards away. And there'd be nothing and no one else near enough to be in any danger.

 

[Erik M]

I was at the local unstaffed outdoor range when some hipsters showed up with 2 propane tanks, an AR15 borrowed from one of thier fathers, and a video camera. They were making a you tube video. I called it a day before the festivities started.