(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
We saw a poor example of athletes and guns recently, with Plaxico Burress negligently shooting himself, and then having New York City add insult--and a two year sentence--to injury. Now Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla gives the image of atheletes and guns another shot in the...uh...leg.
Depending on which news source you consult, he was in Nicaragua when he shot himself at a firing range. No, he shot himself while hunting. No, it was his instructor who shot him.
Oh, and guess what?
He handed the pistol to a shooting instructor, a former police captain, who didn't realize there was a bullet in the chamber and shot himself in his hand, Padilla's legal adviser, Roberto Calderon, told the Associated Press. The bullet grazed the pitcher's leg.
I'd make an "Only Ones" observation here, but I don't want the Bradys to accuse me of denigrating law enforcement...
Enter Reid Cherner, sports observer for USA Today, and apparently quite the deep thinker:
Here is an idea. Why don't athletes promise themselves that they will stay away from guns and hunting until their careers are over.
This is not a Second Amendment issue. This is "I'm making millions of dollars and don't want to do anything stupid" issue.
I might add bungee jumping, sky diving and motorcycle riding.
Hey, you might also add driving a car. Or flying to and from away games.
Here's an idea, Reid--why don't you (and other anti-gun "sportswriters" who focus on living vicariously through the achievements of others with your bread and circuses commentary) knock off the disparaging hysteria over guns and safety?
If the object is to reduce injuries, here is another idea. First, let's take a look at the number of children injured each year playing sports. Why don't people promise themselves they will stay away from athletics? For the children...?
Do you really want to play that game, Reid? Life has risks. Free people understand that and make informed decisions.
There are risks associated with not having guns, too, you know. Sometimes terrible ones.
It is a Second Amendment issue, inasmuch as any responsible adult who takes his freedom seriously also understands the right to keep and bear arms is a key component of maintaining liberty. I know you consider that "stupid," Reid, and you're focused on "millions" instead.
That materialistic priority reflects more on your shallowness than anything else. You had an opportunity to use this episode--and the privilege of your national platform at USA Today--to encourage athletes and your readers to get firearms safety training from competent instructors. Instead, you chose to advocate ignorance and avoidance as the "solution". You chose to be a typical "Authorized Journalist," that is, just another uninformed media disarmament shill.
Comments
I wonder if Mr. Cherner believes that the late Sean Taylor (Washington Redskins safety at the time of his death) was better off for having made a promise to himself to "stay away from guns," thus leaving him in the lethal position of facing armed home invaders with only a machete with which to defend himself and his family.
I had actually hoped that Burris would fight the NY gun law on constitutional grounds...
The fault fot the accident lies with the police captain. Anytime you are handed a weapon you are supposed to clear it yourself. Taking someones word that a gun is unloaded is what gets people killed.
I stopped reading socialist rags and watching socialist spew from the TV screen,years ago, and the avoidance has helped immeasurably. In the meantime, I upped my use and training with guns and equipment of a militia nature, and voila'! I improved both my outlook and my skills. Avoiding what is crap, and embracing what is good, is exhilirating. Knowing the difference is priceless.
@Kurt; you know your comment got me thinking about 'which is worse'...in the court of public opinion and the court of law.
1. Squeezing off a few rounds out of fear for your life, using a muscle twitch of your index finger, OR
2. Brutally machete hacking someone to death with gross muscle movements, until they are dismembered, disemboweled, and mutilated beyond posing a viable & continued threat.
See anticipated AP article...
NBA Star Hacking Death Harkens Nightmare of Rwanda, - AP
Houston Rockets fans awoke Sunday morning to the news that their beloved Center was involved in a house break-in that turned bloody. Claiming self-defense, XYZ PDQ claims three burglars broke into his mansion on the West Side. Police are not commenting at this time because the crime scene is spread out over 5,000 sqft. There were no survivors of the burglars and local police are trying to 'piece together'...
XYZ, who's immigration status precludes him from owning a gun, claims to have defended himself with a machete, purchased at a local Army Navy Surplus, that he kept under his bed.
Neighbors are condemning the brutal crime and hope that local law enforcement does something to keep sharp objects out of the hands of unlicensed knife owners.
The machete, made in China for $0.25, is a common import in the US and around the world where it gained fame in Rwanda in the early 1990s. These weapons of mass destruction...
More children die each year playing Little League baseball than are injured and/or killed by guns. Wonder how much bigger this already large gap would be if we added Little League injuries to Little League deaths. Ban baseball, do it for the children.
[quote]
Taking someones word that a gun is unloaded is what gets people killed.[/quote]
Robert, it goes like this: The person who wishes to hand you a gun clears it and SHOWS you it is clear. You accept it carefully, keeping it pointed in a safe direction and your FINGER OFF the trigger.
If all three of the "Cooper" rules are followed, each and every time, there is almost no chance for a negligent discharge.
Oh, did I mention the fact that there is no such thing as an "accidental" discharge?
Certified Firearms Instructor
straightarrow says: More children die each year playing Little League baseball than are injured and/or killed by guns.
More children are killed every year BY THEIR MOTHERS TOO!
I'm not quite in agreement that there is no such thing as an "accidental discharge", although I would say they are rare. Several years ago I was out shooting my muzzleloader. I had fired a few shots and was preparing to fire yet again. After capping the rifle I pulled the hammer back from half-cock to full-cock and as soon as I released it, it fell, firing the rifle. Fortunately I had it aimed safely downrange. Startled, I pulled the hammer back again. It caught in half-cock just fine, but as soon as I pulled it back to full-cock the hammer fell again. I took the lock off the side of the rifle and discovered that something (humidity, maybe) had caused a bit of wood to move and press on the sear. I have heard stories from other people about similar events with modern guns, but as I only have first-hand knowledge of this one I won't cite any others.
MamaLiberty, You are right of course. I over simplified. I shouldn't have done that. No one should ever acccept a weapon that hasn't been cleared. Guns aren't foolproof and there are a lot of fools out there.
Was Padilla wounded or killed?
I ask because I saw a story on the Internet where a baseball player was accidentally shot and killed in Latin America. Perhaps it was someone else?
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