Former Glasgow police officer Darrell Smith has sued Barren Outdoors after he shot his finger off in their store. He was handed a handgun that had been traded in to the shop. It was not checked properly and was loaded. The officer, who was in uniform at the time, is shown examining the weapon and even racks the slide before coving the muzzle with his hand and pulling the trigger. The weapon discharged and went through 2 of his fingers. Doctors were able to save one of the fingers although its range of motion is limited but Smith lost most of his left index finger. He says that he has been unable to return to work and is suing the business for medical bills and lost wages.

 

So many things went wrong here...

 

How is a loaded gun placed in a display case?

 

How does someone that handles firearms regularly like a police officer not check the weapon before pulling the trigger?

 

Police officer sues store after shooting off finger

In uniform, was he on the clock?

In uniform, was he on the clock?

 

This is all that I can find about it:

 

The BG Daily News reported that Smith agreed to retire from the police force following the incident, but didn't receive workers' compensation because the injury was not work-related. On Friday, Smith filed a lawsuit against the store to cover his medical expenses and lost earnings.

 

It doesn't specify whether or not he was on duty, just that it wasn't work related. Sounds like he was invited to quit over the incident.

What a maroon! I'm glad they forced him out.

Glad he got outta the law enforcement biz before he screwed up someone else . How dang dumb !

This falls at least 90% or more on the store!!!

 

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES AMMO GET INTO A GUN IN A STORE???

 

Why didn't clerk check the gun before handing it over.

In uniform, was he on the clock?

 

Could have been on lunch or break.

I was either directly or indirectly involved or responsible for firearms safety and procedures at a store for close to 30 years...No Way Does Ammo get allowed in a firearm.

 

We even went one step further and had locks on every gun to ensure that a customer couldn't use their own ammo to fire a gun in the store.

This falls at least 90% or more on the store!!!

 

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES AMMO GET INTO A GUN IN A STORE???

 

Why didn't clerk check the gun before handing it over.

 

 

It said it was a used gun that was traded in so there were probably bullets in the magazine when it was traded in. Even so, I would have to think it would be standard procedure to remove the magazine when handing it to a customer. It shows the officer rack the slide so he had to have placed the bullet into the chamber--otherwise an unused bullet would have been ejected, right?

 

If so that means that the bullet had been sitting in the magazine for who knows how long. If the gun had been shown more than once then every single time it was presented to a customer the clerk(s) did not remove the magazine.

It said it was a used gun that was traded in so there were probably bullets in the magazine when it was traded in. Even so, I would have to think it would be standard procedure to remove the magazine when handing it to a customer. It shows the officer rack the slide so he had to have placed the bullet into the chamber--otherwise an unused bullet would have been ejected, right?

 

If so that means that the bullet had been sitting in the magazine for who knows how long. If the gun had been shown more than once then every single time it was presented to a customer the clerk(s) did not remove the magazine.

 

Guy was dumb for having that poor of gun handling safety, but the store will pay this off pretty quickly IMO. Imagine if that had went off and hit someone else. Store is up the creek on this deal.

 

Miracle no one else was injured.

 

There is a crease in a metal display at Paul's Discount where a gun went off, hit a display and then went in either the wall or ceiling there. Luckily no one was hurt.

But, but, but as some would say, accidents happen. How dare they fire him over an accident.

 

Seriously, as the Erlanger officer, this guy is a irresponsible idiot! Or a moron as has been stated in this thread, same thing really, right?

 

You would figure an officer knows better than to pick up any firearm without checking to make sure it's not loaded. I don't care if it's my best friend, or a priest handing me a gun to look at it, I'll do what you should do and check it no matter what.

But, but, but as some would say, accidents happen. How dare they fire him over an accident.

 

Seriously, as the Erlanger officer, this guy is a irresponsible idiot! Or a moron as has been stated in this thread, same thing really, right?

 

You would figure an officer knows better than to pick up any firearm without checking to make sure it's not loaded. I don't care if it's my best friend, or a priest handing me a gun to look at it, I'll do what you should do and check it no matter what.

 

Agree

But, but, but as some would say, accidents happen. How dare they fire him over an accident.

 

Seriously, as the Erlanger officer, this guy is a irresponsible idiot! Or a moron as has been stated in this thread, same thing really, right?

 

You would figure an officer knows better than to pick up any firearm without checking to make sure it's not loaded. I don't care if it's my best friend, or a priest handing me a gun to look at it, I'll do what you should do and check it no matter what.

 

 

I understand the police department inviting him to retire. However, I'm with JD--this one has to be about 90% on the store. It just boggles my mind that the weapon had a bullet in the magazine. It should have been checked at least twice. Once when it was placed in the display case and once when it was presented to the officer. If it had been shown multiple times it should have been checked each time. Most gun shops that I have been to take the magazine out and lock the slide open before handing me the gun. The officer definitely should have checked it if the clerk didn't. However it could have been someone buying their first gun before taking a CCDW class that had no idea what they were doing. I also think the store will settle this one pretty quickly.