The Guns & Ammo Network

Stupidity Goes Digital: Gun Negligence and the Internet

by Robert W. Hunnicutt • June 7, 2012 • 26 comments

blue-light-060712I would guess everyone reading SGN has at one time or another done something stupid with a gun. If you were lucky, you got away with it and learned a valuable lesson. The stupidity level goes up exponentially when multiple teenaged boys are involved, but in past years, parents only had to worry about interactions with the local boneheads.

Now, thanks to the Internet, a bad influence can come from anywhere.

A case in point happened in Philadephia, where an 18-year-old was apparently having a heated exchange with someone on Skype or a similar video service. Apparently responding to some challenge to his manhood, he grabbed what he thought was an unloaded pistol, pointed it at his head and pulled the trigger. Predictably, the gun was loaded and the results were exactly what you’d expect.

There are many morals one can draw relative to proper gun storage and handling, the content of rap videos, etc. But it mainly points out there is almost nothing dumber than a teenage boy, and I say that having been one. About all the rest of us can do understand that and secure guns and ammunition accordingly.

In Culture & Politics • Tagged , , ,
  • Heretic

    And this years Darwin Award goes to………….

  • Vico Confino

    Glock, Inc. v Maxsell Corporation
    Maxsell Corporation has been selling replica blank firing guns for over 20 years. Along comes Gaston Glock and his cadre of attorney and sues Maxsell in Federal Court because they feel one of the guns looks like a Glock 17. Maxsell tries to settle by placing NOT A GLOCK metal plate on the barrel of the gun. Glock attorneys say that's not good enough. Maxsell tries to settle by discontinuing the replica in question. Glock lawyers say "not acceptable". You have violated the trade dress law and we want damages. Glock attorney tells Maxsell owner, "I don't like you and I will destroy you". Go maxarmory.com and scroll down to PUBLIC NOTICE FOR more……………………

    • Gary

      I`ve always though Glock was over rated but now I have I have a legitamate reason for not buying a Glock. I hope Maxsell wins any court case that Glock try against them…

    • Dale

      I don't carry a Glock,this kind of LAWYER nonsense is insurance I will never carry Glock.Glock needs to fire a few pinheads and realize that if lawyers had their way Glock would just make dishpans.

    • R.Peace

      why would anyone buy a replica gun in the first case? Guns are for shooting, not to play with and look at…

      • Cowgal

        To the pleasure of my audience, I perform mounted shooting expo's…R. Peace…Ya reckon I should be using a real gun when organizations such as the Boy Scouts come to my shows…NO I can do everything I need to entertain with my 9mm black powder replica and never worry about harming any person, myself or my horses…And there are plenty of other reasons for replica's. Did you come out of the duck blind long enough to watch any of the Olympics? I hunt too!… But YES I purchase replica's from Maxsell and they are perfect for my shows…Oh and don't watch any movies or westerns, R. Peace, because those are replica's too…Finish your coffee hon and wake-up…

    • Sandy

      Glock attorneys want blood and lots of legal fees.
      Just filed second lawsuit against Maxsell owner personally.
      All offers to settle have been rejected by Glock lawyers
      Attorneys fees at this date $28,000
      Definitely looks like curtains for maxsell.com

  • Bob

    There is always someone in every organization whose mouth is far larger than his or her brain. With all of the screw-ups Glock has had over the years one would think they would be happy to have a look alike out there for potential customers to consider when they want a real gun.

  • IndyMo

    Exactly my thoughts Bob. I was wondering; "just where the hell is the marketing manager in all this?" Do you suppose Glock even HAS a marketing manager, or maybe they give those duties to that nasty-sounding attorney??

    • Cowgal

      Bob and Indy, IP Forensics sued Glock in 2010 for the same thing Patent Infringment…Glock sued ISSC also in 2010 for Patent Infringement…Glock is now professional litigators making more money in court than selling guns…So it wouldn't surprise me if they fired their marketing manager…just saying…sure not buying a Glock…

  • Old Bob

    I really believe that in every grade school in the United States there should be an Eddie Eagle program. And after that on a regular basis firearm safety classes should be mandatory. 50 to 75% of these accidental deaths due to sheer stupidity or neglect would be stopped.

    There should be no difference between classes teaching gun safety and their proper use the classes in home economics or shop classes. Marksmanship classes in competition rifle, pistol, shotgun competition should be as widely spread as basketball, baseball, football. Not only would we have a stronger militia but a safer society. Within the firearms have always done is to overall make a population more civil and polite.

    I've taken to the extreme and knowing that it's ridiculous is that I would like to see the old dueling codes brought back at least that way it would be less innocent bystanders injured. An antisocial idiots would soon be weeded out and eliminated. I guess it is only a pipe dream, with no basis in reality other than it would work.

    • http://twitter.com/whoisjohngalt58 @whoisjohngalt58

      Problem with that Bob is the libs running the schools would come unglued to think the NRA could provide a decent public safety curriculum. I know a lot of educators, and unfortunately a lot of them think that the only solution is to remove the guns from society.

  • Jeepers Creepers

    I agree with old Bob that gun safety should be taught in schools starting the 6th grade level or sooner.
    If the parents are not going to teach gun safety at an early age. Then it should be up to the schools for public safety. There could be less gun crime by gangs if they properly knew how to use a gun in the first place.
    The DOJ of California owns 90% of the stock in Glock. check out the approved guns. You can own any gun you want in California. Just has to be a Glock, any Glock.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000499163169 Dale Gibson

    Old Bob, you are more right than most of us care to admit. Im with you brother.

  • 2WarAbnVet

    I learned long ago that guns are ALWAYS loaded – especially those that aren't.

    • Olin Patterson

      2WarAbnVet,

      You are absolutely right, my father taught me at a very young and tender age that all firearms including BB guns should be considered to be loaded and should be treated and respected as such, no exceptions, all firearms, every single one.

  • Rusty

    There is no cure for stupidy. You can't protect everyone from themselves. What did this guy think would happen if he put a drill to his head with a drill bit in it and pull the trigger? At least he thined out the herd.

  • Olin Patterson

    I have been considering discussing the institution of age appropriate gun safety courses with the local school board. This program would include instruction in all of the following: firearm safety- proper handling, care, operation and storage of firearms. In addition, my proposal would include a marksmanship program and hunting safety courses. If parental consent is an issue and in all probability it would be, only children who have their parent's consent (permission) would be allowed to participate.

    The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right, necessary and vital to the preservation of a free state (country). From this, it follows that firearm safety and marksmanship should rightfully be a part of our children's education.

    Firearm education programs could be conducted by properly trained and certified law enforcement, military and civilian instructors.

  • https://www.facebook.com/zoomdawg Brian Izumi

    Has anyone considered the fact that maybe the teenager wanted to off himself? Stupidity aside, perhaps this was a premeditated suicide attempt, and the Skyping was his way of making his death more poignant. I think everyone at one time or another has thought about how they plan to exit this world, but don't have the presence of forethought to realize they wouldn't be around to see how others would react to it.

  • ht duck

    Bob, Olin
    I agree with you all the way we do need a program in our school's to teach firearms safety.
    But if God, and The Ten Commandments, got kicked out i fear we don't stand a chance……

    • DissenterUSA

      ht,

      Don't give up, that's what Obama and the anti-gun rights fanatics are hoping for. Did you know that there are more than 100 Million honest, hard working, tax paying, law abiding gun owners in America today. That's a lot of votes and firepower and as long as Americans stick to their guns dictators don't stand a chance here. That's what we should be teaching our children too. We are in the right and that scares the big intrusive government types.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rich.kerr.754 Rich Kerr

    "Back in the day" when I was in high school we had ARMY ROTC, and every student in ROTC was assigned an M14. Not a demilled one but a live one, except the select fire switch was removed, but other wise it was a functioning semi-automatic rifle. All that was needed was a magazine and ammunition. We had an in school armory where they were stored along with the rifle team .22cal match grade target rifles. EVERYONE learned marksmanship and safe and proper gun handling in that class, not just the rifle team members (of which i was a member).
    It's too bad this is no longer the case, in those days we brought guns to school with school permission and a note from our parents so we could sight them in for hunting season (.22's only). Back then the only weapon people were afraid of was a knife, and there were no "school shooting incidents". Now ROTC students have "Toy Rifles" and while they still have a rifle team they use Airguns. Fortunately they still teach gun safety!
    Today guns in school would give some people heart attacks just thinking about it! How things have changed since more "stringent" gun control laws have been enacted, now a school shooting is not only possible in any school it's all too common (or criminal shootings of any kind for that matter). You can't legislate common sense or morality, but the liberal left seems to think they can do so. Teaching our children to respect guns and their safe handling, and how to properly use them is the best way to practice "Good Gun Control".

    Teach your children well!

  • rexc

    In 1974 in the high school parking lot you could see the rifles and shotguns in the back truck window gun racks, also had a wildlife class, and yea we shot guns for a grade,Life was truly great back then and look what we've deteriated to,,, SAD SAD

  • John

    This was an 18 year old adult; there is a reason they never teach you not to point a gun at your head and pull the trigger. I think that this young man was suffering from a number of mental illnesses.

    • White Slave

      John… and everyone, the point her is his bravado got the better of him. Stupid young adult is going to do dumb stuff.
      I feel bad (only a little) for the parents not teaching the man any better, however, I feel better knowing that a moron with a gun exists no more. I certainly would not want this guy next to me defending a posiiton.

  • John

    I draw the line about doing dumb things as an young adult (BTW I’m 22) when you try to prove your “bravado” when you put a functional handgun to your head and pull the trigger.