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Post by CoffeeShooter on Nov 29, 2011 11:19:24 GMT -5
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Post by Sgt K USMC on Dec 2, 2011 1:29:08 GMT -5
Fire him? No.
Reacquaint him with the rules and regulations regarding the responsible use and storage of firearms… yes.
Here in Texas we have a law that, in a nut shell, states that if you own a firearm you are responsible for it 24/7. This means that if a kid enters your home, finds your weapon, and then starts 'playing with it' that you the firearm owner are held responsible for any damage, death or destruction caused.
In this case, there was no damage done, no shots fired, nobody got hurt. It is his responsibility to ensure that his weapon is properly stored and his children properly educated, he failed in that responsibility and this case would demand, in my opinion, an immediate reacquaintance with the not on the laws of proper firearm storage and handling, but also a hefty fine for failure to do so.
It could have been a lot worse… thankfully it wasn't, odds are this will never happen again because of it.
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Post by emanon on Dec 2, 2011 16:36:59 GMT -5
Did you read the story, Sarge? It was not his kid, nor his own home. He was in the restroom at the firehall, and left his loaded weapon. One thing, really, how the hell do you "forget" your gun when you take it off to take a poop (I am assuming). He left it on the counter in the restroom. The 4 year old was there visiting and went into the restroom and was reaching for it when his father grabbed it off the counter.
I don't think he should be fired, but only 3 days is not enough. He does have to undergo remedial firearms training. My point is, he is an arson investigator, and really, he forgets he has a gun when he uses a semi-public bathroom?
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Post by Fredo on Dec 2, 2011 17:51:35 GMT -5
Not to be captain obvious here, but why the hell does a fireman carry a sidearm to begin with? Does it squirt water?
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Post by emanon on Dec 2, 2011 19:16:13 GMT -5
Not to be captain obvious here, but why the hell does a fireman carry a sidearm to begin with? Does it squirt water? okay, that was funny He is an arson investigator, they usually carry. Sometimes, they are police officers, then they go through the fire academy. They do investigations and have arrest powers, as an officer would.
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Post by Sgt K USMC on Dec 2, 2011 21:50:53 GMT -5
Did you read the story, Sarge? It was not his kid, nor his own home. He was in the restroom at the firehall, and left his loaded weapon. One thing, really, how the hell do you "forget" your gun when you take it off to take a poop (I am assuming). He left it on the counter in the restroom. The 4 year old was there visiting and went into the restroom and was reaching for it when his father grabbed it off the counter. I don't think he should be fired, but only 3 days is not enough. He does have to undergo remedial firearms training. My point is, he is an arson investigator, and really, he forgets he has a gun when he uses a semi-public bathroom? My apologies… I read it and assumed it was his personal restroom at his home. This indeed changes the scope of his failure at proper firearm control and accountability… That being the case… Disarmament would appear to be the correct course of action. He should also be forced to pay a fine and undergo proper firearm handling and safety procedures before even being considered eligible to carry one again… (thank you for pointing that one out to me, I skimmed over the bit about this being at his work place as opposed to his home, and that changes everything)And I can answer the question about how he likely forgot the weapon. This is of course theory, but it is based on something they actually cover in the concealed carry course. Going to the bathroom posses an interesting problem for guys when we have to hit the head. The weapon is most likely attached to our belt. In some cases (mine since I keep it inside the waistband at the small of my back) I have to remove the weapon completely and either hold it in my lap or place it on the TP dispenser. In some cases weapons have also been known to break free from a holster and lay on the ground where they slipped out. In any event… the firearm owner is responsible for the weapon the moment he steps out the door and must know where it is at all times. Failure to do so is a failure to comply with the CCL holders training and trust given them in order to be a CCL holder. Loss of license, forced remedial instruction, maybe 6 months to a year before he can apply again…
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Post by emanon on Dec 2, 2011 23:28:53 GMT -5
Think about female police officers! and I was not trying to be a jerk, just pointing out that it seemed you thought it was his house and his child. I think that would be a total different set of circumstances.
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Post by Sgt K USMC on Dec 3, 2011 16:33:46 GMT -5
No offense implied or taken at all… The fault was mine in not properly reading the article in question before posting. I made an error, you pointed it out, I apologized for the error and corrected my opinion based on the information I had been in error of… Simple as that… Women have it a little easier in this case actually. Most CCL holders of the female persuasion tend to keep their weapon in the purse. (Most, not all of course) As for cops… kinda a different deal when you are wearing your weapon in the open on a dedicated utility belt… While it is not unheard of to misplace a gun belt… it has been known to happen.
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Post by emanon on Dec 3, 2011 19:07:03 GMT -5
I don't carry a purse. I don't "get" them.
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Post by Sgt K USMC on Dec 3, 2011 19:14:16 GMT -5
Do you carry concealed?
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Post by emanon on Dec 4, 2011 9:13:52 GMT -5
No, used to, though.
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Post by CoffeeShooter on Dec 4, 2011 11:28:17 GMT -5
I still say fire the guy. Had one of his subordinates been so foolish they'd have been fired. His weapon, his potentially fatal mistake.
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