Does Padilla shooting mean athletes should swear off guns?

November 5, 9:44 AMGun Rights ExaminerDavid Codrea

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  (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.