Comments on: Amish Girl Buggy Shooting ‘Freak Accident’

By: michelle

michelle — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:35:44 +0000

It is very unfortunate what happened to this girl. Let us all remember we are in no position to judge anyone or anything. Amish live very differently than us “fancy” people. They typically do not involve law enforcement so I was suprised to see authorities were notified. Those of us who handle weapons regularily know what to do and what not to do, I’m sure the shooter will beat himself up over this the rest of his life. This world is crazy…

By: Perf Marine Ky

Perf Marine Ky — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:35:00 +0000

I never post but, today I will ! Any Muzzel loader can be unloaded without firing ! They make a device to pull bullets from the barrel & othe s the breech plug can be removed & bullet pushed from rear !
NO REASON TO FIRE INTO AIR PERIOD ! This person had NO knowledge for proper use of a firearm .

By: john weaver

john weaver — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:32:11 +0000

The girl who was killed was dau of my wifes cousin. Although we live out of state we attended the funeral yesterday. The family would not appreciate hearing some of the comments about the boy who accidentaly shot her. It was an accident, and yes it was not wise to shoot into the air, he will regret that the rest of his life. The Amish people choose to forgive and they would appreciate such comments here also Thanks

By: Bugly

Bugly — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:37:52 +0000

Being familiar with blackpowder guns and statistics, I simply cannot believe that a round of any significant caliber can be fired from a mile and a half away and accidentally hit a target 8 inches in diameter with enough force to kill it. Combine the odds of 1) someone stupidly discharging the weapon into the air, 2) a light enough caliber round with enough velocity to travel the 1.5 miles, 3) hitting a (presumably) moving target approximately 8 inches in diameter but in a small enough radius to inflict mortal damage. Not impossible… but, about as close as you can get.

By: wsh

wsh — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:26:55 +0000

This was a black powder rifle… It is different from more modern guns. Some need to be fired (not into the air) to empty the chamber so it may be cleaned after season is over.

He should have fired it into a safe target where he knew it would travel. The only thing he did wrong was fire it into the air. Never fire a gun into the air.

My heart goes out to the family who lost their daughter

By: oonogil7

oonogil7 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:50:19 +0000

I take several to the range at a time and thus have to clean several at a time (thank God for boresnake)
Step one: Make sure every gun is unloaded.
Step two: Make sure each gun is unloaded.
Step three: Check each gun before disassembly.

Rule one: All guns are loaded until proven otherwise.
Rule two: Never point a gun loaded or unloaded at anything you don’t intend to shoot. That includes into wide open spaces or up in the air where you don’t know where the bullet will go.

More people are injured and killed playing football than in shooting sports. It is not however a sport without risks. Since those risks may involve others, greater caution must be taken and greater responsibility must be accepted.
Having been involved in relatively dangerous professions and activities all of my life I have survived with no serious injuries with the following:
Learn the rules and follow the rules. Every time and always.
Learn the procedures and follow the procedures. Every time and always.
Anything less can lead to disaster for someone.

Rule three: You are responsible for every bullet that comes out of your barrel.

By: Mt

Mt — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:46:55 +0000

I know both families and this was an accident if it truly was the bullet from his gun,it was an accident and he had no intentions of shooting anything or anyone.people who do bad crap should go to prison.this world if full of bad people who do bad things and they barely get anything and the minute one person does something unintentional you wanna send them to prison.yes it was tragic,yes he shouldn’t have shot in the air,yes yes yes but it makes me angry how everybody wants to sue everybody and all that crap when accidents happen.I know of plenty of people who intentionally helped kill somebody ,hurt somebody and all they get is a few years and they are back on the streets!

By: tex a. montana

tex a. montana — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 04:29:06 +0000

Cleaning a firearm does not include shooting in the air. Anyone trying make any connection between these two activities is a moron. The fool who committed this atrocity must be charged with manslaughter. Nothing less! The connection between the perp and the sheriff, also, requires an investigation.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:44:20 +0000

I shoot almost every day and clean weapons all the time. There is no excuse. Any negligent discharge of a firearm involving a death is a negligent homicide. There is no excuse for an accidental discharge.

By: Willow

Willow — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:22:56 +0000

The man should have checked to make sure his gun was unloaded before cleaning it. Very dumb of him, IMHO.