84 hours after the incident, we learned the identities of the participants in the shooting that occurred at the Tanner Gun Show in Denver this month. We now know that Joshua Hertzler of Thornton picked up a gun from the vendor's table and shot his friend, Grant Edmunds of Laramie in the chest. His friend will recover from the wound. We also know now that the prosecutors of Adams County will not press charges against Mr. Hertzler. Surely he has suffered from the guilt of shooting a good friend.
We are told that the investigation is not over yet by the sheriff's department. We still don't know how a loaded pistol could be on display on the vendor's table. Where was the required zip-tie immobilizing the action? How long was the gun laying there, waiting for a disaster? We still don't know what charges may be brought against the vendor, James Peterschmidt of Aurora.
Two lessons come out of this incident:
No matter how tight a net we try to draw around a "gun free zone", it will not be perfect. None of us should automatically assume we are safe in one. Always keep your head on swivel, and be aware of your surroundings. Don't let anyone, any time point a gun at you.
Remember the basic, basic rule of guns: Any gun you pick up, you must assume is loaded. Only after you personally drop the magazine and clear the action can you truly believe it is empty. Even with an empty gun, never point it where you wouldn't want a bullet to go. Finally, don't touch the trigger except on the firing line, aiming down range. Guns don't "go off", they fire when the trigger is pulled. I am certain Mr. Hertzler will remember this his entire life.
Comments
"I am certain Mr. Hertzler will remember this his entire life."
And Mr. Edmunds!
thefiringline(dot)com/Misc/safetyrules.html
When I'm in a gun shop (making a "wish list"), I'm almost bashful about showing my ignorance by asking to pick up & see ones which interest me.
I don't like not knowing how they work, how specifically to handle them, etc.
A buddy had a handgun, and I wanted to check it out, but even after making it safe, I couldn't figure out how to take it apart to look it over, so beyond holding it (not even in the use-position with the grip in hand, finger near the trigger opening) I put it down, since he didn't have the manual for it.
Even long before the Army got me, the first guns experiences I had, we learned about the action and how to do function and safety checks before even touching ammo.
I love the Tanner gun show, but this stuff needs to stop. They need to get their act together before the government steps in. This happened when my family and I attended about 3 months ago.
Tanner should make chamber plugs MANDATORY on all guns to safeguard against the nincompoops that keep handing over guns that are loaded and the morons that pull the trigger without question.
John, no need to feel embarrassed. With so many hundreds of different designs around, I doubt if even a smith knows every single one. I know I certainly don't. And your respect for the tool and desire to know what you're doing before handling it in a dangerous condition speaks well of you.
I would like to know what Mr. Hertzler does for a living.
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