Posted on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 5:30 p.m.
Man accidentally shoots himself in the leg in Ypsilanti Township
By Amalie Nash
An Ypsilanti Township man inadvertently shot himself in the leg this afternoon as he was unholstering his gun to put it on the counter, authorities said.
The accident occurred at about 4 p.m. after the man returned to his home on Dexter Street in Ypsilanti Township, said Derrick Jackson, director of community engagement for the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department.
Jackson said the resident has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. As he was taking his gun from its holster, it discharged.
The man called 911 and was taken to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Jackson said.
Jackson said it's not clear yet what caused the gun to discharge, but police determined the incident was an accident.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Sat, Apr 24, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
"A handgun is a tool with only one purpose--killing. Target shooting is just practice." Holy cow, Brady campaign "truth" verbatim. Yes guns are designed to send projectiles with accuracy and consistency. What the USER chooses for ammunition and what he targets determines the purpose. The USER provides intent, the gun cannot. As for tools in general Google "nail gun accident" and see what you get. As for distance, hmmm cars (not drivers certainly) seem to be doing an admirable job of killing people all over America. Why people point them at other people cities away in murder attempts all the time (a lady astro-nut comes to mind), not to mention the drunks out there...must be the cars, right?
MikeyP
Sat, Apr 24, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.
The main problems Glocks had was related to a lack of chamber support that could potentially lead to a "dynamic malfunction." Basically what that means is that a bulge could develop near the base of the casing of the round that is partially unsupported when the round is chambered. If one were to reload their brass over time this bulge could lead to a rupture, and the force of the round being fired could potentially cause the gun to explode in your hand. This is one of the main reasons Glock specifically states to ONLY fire new, factory ammunition from their guns, and to NEVER fire reloaded rounds. They have taken other steps to remedy this situation (and others). That's not to say that nobody should ever own or fire a Glock, but you should ALWAYS follow the manufacturers' instructions and heed their safety warnings. Besides, there is a reason for the gap that leaves the round slightly unsupported... less chance of the weapon jamming (there's a bigger "mouth" for the round to go into to be chambered, which speeds up the process and reduces the odds of the round missing the chamber.)
tdw
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
@A2Dave perhaps you should goggle " target pistol "
A2Dave
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 11:41 a.m.
Wayne: neither hammers nor cell phones will kill you from 75 ft. away, unless dropped from overhead that distance. It is the lethal force handguns can produce from a significant distance--whether intentionally or unintentionally, intelligently or stupidly, with malice aforethought or total mindless innocence, that makes them different from other "tools". A handgun is a tool with only one purpose--killing. Target shooting is just practice.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 11:35 a.m.
If you get in an one vehicle accident in a car would your licensed be similarly reviewed and revoked?
ypsiresident
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Because of this, should the man's CCW license be reviewed and possibly revoked?
Wayne Smith
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 9:47 a.m.
Greetings All. Glocks are no more inherently dangerous than hammers or cell phones, tools when used properly provide service. There is an incredible amount of disinformation those willing are ready to glom onto irrespective of facts. Places like the Brady Bunch and such dispense this tripe freely and even the NRA has their own agenda. Rare that "just the facts" are evenly presented and/or portrayed. There are firearm designs aplenty utilizing the same mechanisms as Glocks and and as with all, proper handling is paramount, period. I've carried a Glock for years with never a problem. Common sense does have a tad to do with that. As to a potential bout of personal paranoia, I'll use a Boy Scout Phrase: Be Prepared and add my own: Better to have a tool at hand and never have need then the converse. On the topic of those with a CPL (Carry Pistol License- NOT a CCW- that is a legal charge) as a group they are the best mannered of Michigan's populace with the vast majority having not even so much as a speeding ticket. Those jabbering on a cell phone while driving, now I am exceedingly paranoid about that group. Base opinion on facts, not emotions and blood pressure levels shall be much better to the benefit of all.
jjc155
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 7:13 a.m.
Yep Glocks typically ship from the factory with a 3.5 pound trigger pull. Most PD's set theirs up with heavier triggers, which range from 5-12 pounds of pull. But all of this is a moot point anyways. If you follow the advice that my dad taught me when I was very young to "keep your booger hook off the bang switch unless you are shooting" then you will have no problems. dad had a way with words eh? Again I have not seen any documents cases where a glock "got caught" on something and it went off, although this could be a typical excuse of a person with a hole in their leg to displace blame.
Wolverine3660
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 6:43 a.m.
jjc- I dont know if it i s a myth, but on various pistol forums, the prevailing view seems to be that Glocks, due to their design, are more prone to accidental discharges. On the other hand, lots of people carry Glocks as Concealed Carry weapons, or as LEOs as their duty weapon, so it might not be all that bad either.
RWS
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 6:42 a.m.
@hepcat: Take the training and find out........ On the Glock trigger, the trigger safety must be fully depressed before the firearm can be discharged. Glock Armours manual has a function test procedure to check proper operation. Standrd Glock trigger is 5lb pull, not exactly light, with a 3.5lb optional with parts change. Probably snagged on the holster retention strap, shirt tail, or his finger was on the trigger.
jjc155
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.
@anonymous I have never hear of a person shooting themselves in the leg with a glock while holstering it EVER attributed to anything other than the person having their finger inside the trigger gaurd while putting the gun in the holster. The holster pushes against the finger, which in turn pushes again the trigger. I might add that this is also a common cause of accidential discharge with every other handgun manufacture out there that does not have an "active" safety. That said I have carried a glock every day for the past 15 years (as have many others that I personally know) and have never seen this happen in person. This "shooting" happened for one reason and one reason only and it had nothing to do with the make of the gun.
iceman
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 10:36 p.m.
As Peewee Herman would say, I ment to do that!
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
If it's true that the gun involved was a Glock, these guns have a history of this kind of thing happening and I don't really know why anyone in their right mind uses them. I don't understand why they're still on the market, honestly. The problem is so common that there's even a term, "glock leg", for shooting yourself in the leg with one of these. The problem is that the gun has no manual safety and a very very light trigger pull. There's some sort of so called "safety" on the trigger but it's really little more than an extra failsafe to keep the firing pin blocked so the gun doesn't go off when dropped, etc. Anyway, typically it's not a finger but the trigger getting caught on something or the other when holstering the weapon or something. Even people who keep their finger off the trigger and otherwise follow safe gun handing practices seem to have problems with this particular gun. (I had a link to a video of a cop accidentally shooting himself in the leg with one of these but for some reason the moderators deleted the comment.)
hepcat
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
You don't have to be smart to get a CCW, just paranoid.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 6:48 p.m.
Thats gonna leave a mark!
BenWoodruff
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.
I though Plaxico Burress was doing time already? When did he move to Ypsi?
trs80
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 6 p.m.
Keep your finger off the trigger.
Donttasemebro
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 6 p.m.
"Jackson said it's not clear yet what caused the gun to discharge". His finger pulled the trigger, that's what caused the gun to discharge!
John Hritz
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 5:58 p.m.
What ever mechanism is choosing the related articles for this story should be reviewed. Not sure what a nightclub shooting has to do with putting a round into your thigh.
tdw
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 5:21 p.m.
@Anonymous You are absolulity correct.This happened in my back yard
voiceofreason
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
Doh!