"Woman Hurt in Bizarre Gun Accident

"DUMFRIES, Va. - A shotgun went off [no, it did not!] as a man was practicing loading it [with no regard for Rule 3] inside his home in Dumfries. The buck shot traveled through his house and into his neighbor's home [no shit! it tends to do that], injuring the woman. She is expected to live [thank God]."

The article, if correct, states that this is the THIRD time the man has discharged a firearm negligently. If those are indeed the facts-- it's hard to know for sure because the article is not well written-- then I'm sorry but some sort of action is warranted. (I'll be happy to dial it back in case the facts are otherwise.) For that guy, a retired Marine who should know better, "safety" is a little switch somewhere near the trigger and not a constant mindset.

This should be a good object lesson for all of us not to fall into the same negligent habits. Safety, safety, safety.

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(DaveO on Mar 12, 2010 7:19 AM) LtCol P - I disagree in only one aspect: safety isn't just a mechanism near the trigger, but IMO an all-enveloping mindset/philosophy/way-of-the-gun toward the weapon.

(Bill on Mar 12, 2010 8:32 AM) My criminal law professor was fond of saying, "Guns can go off at the most inopportune of times." At some point, and if this is the dumbass's third time we may be at that point, society should step in and tell him that he's too goddamn dumb to be trusted with a gun, and give him a stick if he has to hold something.

(PSYOP Cop on Mar 12, 2010 8:43 AM) "practicing loading and unloading"?? I'm sorry, but I don't "practice" loading and unloading. I either load or unload. "wounded himself during the first Gulf War"?? WTF does this mean? Did he shoot himself in the foot so he wouldn't have to cross the LOD? Something smells here. My first thought is mental instability. If that's the case, he has no business being near a firearm... retired Marine or not.

(Federale on Mar 12, 2010 9:23 AM) So did the buckshot penetrate the wall of his house, then two walls of her house then strike her on the deck? That is hard to believe. I think it just exited his house and struck her on the deck. Some other pellets must have also struck the side of her house.

(LtCol P on Mar 12, 2010 10:08 AM) Federale: I had the same questions; hard to tell from the sucky reporting. jpp

(Walt on Mar 13, 2010 5:08 AM) You're right, that is pretty lousy writing. I wonder if the latest discharge might have been a result of a weapon malfunction. My dad had a Browning 12 gauge 3 inch magnum semi-automatic that scared the daylights out of us once. We were next to the truck loading up for a dove hunt when his shotgun discharged three times, emptying itself, into the ground on the action closing. Rest assured, the shotgun stayed in the truck while he went along with me to spot. The gunsmith told us later that it's not all that uncommon a problem. So maybe the guy or the shotgun needs to go in the shop? At least some good comes out of it, now I've got a subject for another "Son of a Gun" post on my blog.

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(warez on Mar 11, 2010 9:06 AM) Thanks.....

To the cast and crew of “The Hurt Locker,” Congratulations and thank you for bringing this powerful message to the American public about an heroic EOD team working in Baghdad. This film provides a microcosm of what it is like to be fighting a 21st Century war in the Middle East. Imagine The Hurt Locker on an epic scale.

Continued reading Fallujah -- the real Hurt Locker...

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(USMC Steve on Mar 8, 2010 7:18 AM) It did at least try to portray the characters without the usual hollywood "our soldiers are soooo evil and so is Boooosh" meme, but there was a lot of utter horseshit in it too. The story of the EOD troops is more than exciting enough to stick with the truth rather than some of the nonsense in that film. I think the hollywood types are hardwired that they have to screw with history or their heads will explode.

(mindy1 on Mar 8, 2010 5:59 PM) i liked the Hurt Locker, because of the reasons mentioned above-it made our soldiers look like decent people. As a non-military person, I can't comment on realism, but I appreciated the effort

(Andre C. Stough on Mar 8, 2010 7:18 PM) Fallujah should make the military history texts as a brilliant series of strategies. First, to concentrate a dispersed enemy in a hostile city where they can be conventionally engaged. The "roach motel" theory. Second, setting up a huge KZ in the railroad station and industrial park, away from civilian concentrations. Enthusiastic enemy charged into this unimportant area in hopes of quickly fighting the US, with virtually no chance for success. Third, the use of a "shift offense", 24/7, maximizing enemy fatigue by always facing them with "fresh" troops. Fourth, that Fallujah will long be known for the "Laughing, drug-crazed Marines". Marines actually did laugh at the incompetence of their enemy, making basic errors, repeatedly, which exposed them to effective fire. This perplexed the enemy, which assumed that the Marines had been given drugs to make them behave that way. They tried to use this as propaganda. It didn't work.

(malaath2008 on Mar 9, 2010 1:07 PM) I WANT ASKED ANY WHATS THAT CRIME OF FALLUJAH CITY THE SONS OF CITY ARE HAVE DEFENCE FOR THEM BIRTH CITY IF THE CASE DIFF I MEAN OUR IRAQI ARMY DO THAT IN ANY CITY OR STATEOF ANY LAND IS NOT THE SONS OF THAT CITY OR STATE DEFENCE OF THERE HOME ???? I JUST ASKED IN THE END OF THE FALLUJAH BATTLE THE 3000 PERSONS DAI FROM FALLUJAH CITY MOST OF THEM WOMEN AND CHILDS THE FIGHTER MEN ARE LITTLE DAI COZ THE LEFT CITY IN THE END WAR MY NEBERHOO ARE DAI FROM THEM FAMILY 31 PERSONS AND 2 CHILDS INJERED IN FIRST DAY OF FALLUJAH BATTLE THEY OMBED BY AIRPLANES THE DAI COZ HELL FIRE MISSILES DO THAT

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(DaveO on Mar 8, 2010 12:53 PM) She sounds like a lightweight compared to some Redleg GOs. Were this site Las Vegas, betting she gets a great shore billet and plush job in the civilian world.

(LtCol P on Mar 8, 2010 3:40 PM) Good post by Pat lang, esp the final line about her just missing that midnight swim. (It has been known to happen!) I'll tell you another thing, I was glad to read in the WaPo article that the Navy found the "drag race" was essentially no big deal. Exclusive of this hag's command tenure, I was GLAD to see two ship captains taking some risk and pushing their vessels. Today's Navy is too risk averse. We need more risk takers at the helm, literally, although we'd prefer the non-maniacal level-headed types.

(Bill on Mar 9, 2010 5:34 AM) I see that THE ACADEMY alumni association still protects those who are incompetent and unfit for command. Per militarycorruption.com, she's getting a billet at the Pentagon. Could it have anything to do with her big sister being an Admiral or is it the PC culture where if anyone other than a white male is critized, it must be evidence of not being a "team player and supporting equal rights? Kinda makes you want to say "WTF?"

(bnjmn on Mar 12, 2010 10:30 PM) Could it have anything to do with her big sister being an Admiral or is it the PC culture where if anyone other than a white male is critized, it must be evidence of not being a "team player and supporting equal rights?porno izle sikis pono izle amtor sikisenler

"Polls closed across Iraq on Sunday as the war-weary population awaits results from the national election that will decide the future of the country's still-fragile democracy.

"The election tested the mettle of the country's shaky security as insurgents killed 31 people across Iraq, unleashing a barrage of mortars intent on disrupting the historic day.

"About 19 million Iraqis were eligible to vote on a government that will oversee the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The election is critical in determining whether Iraq can overcome the jagged sectarian divisions that have defined it since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003."

Imperfect and marred by violence in places; however, that country (so far) refuses to quit. The Iraqis might march/lurch/step/stagger, but it's always forward. They are building that rarest of commodities in the Mideast-- a tradition of open elections that happen on time.

Imagine that.

Good for them. We wish them nothing but the best, because a functional stable prosperous Iraq with enduring representative government is good for the Iraqis, good for the Mideast, good for us and good for the world.

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(mindy1 on Mar 7, 2010 5:47 PM) I wish them well, and I hope they succeed

(Skippy-san on Mar 7, 2010 9:17 PM) Just because they have an election, does not mean that it will be the best outcome for the United States. Remember that when a voting Iran becomes an Iranian client state. How's that working out. Democrat or authoritarian-Arabs will always screw things up. The only benefit of the election is that it should help put a hole in the idea that we have to leave any troops in that Godforsaken country one day past 2011. THAT will be a great day for America. American interests-not Iraqi ones should be what matters to us.

(Robert Beruce on Mar 8, 2010 7:12 AM) Another step further provided legitimacy holds. Although US forces are withdrawing, a cirtical step in transition is the continuing mentoring of the governmental system so that Iraq is self sufficient. Teaching them to do it "their way", not ours of course, I see a promising future for the country. I wish them well!

OK, once you look at the stats, it ain't a bad showing. I was pleased to have done my little part. :-)

Good work, fellow Americans! Keep it up.

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(Juan on Mar 6, 2010 7:26 PM) I had to buy another safe this year because I ran out of room this year. :)

Gun fans cheer Starbucks' policy

"Even in some "open carry" states, businesses are allowed to ban guns in their stores. And some have, creating political confrontations with gun owners. But Starbucks, the largest chain targeted, has refused to take the bait, saying in a statement this month that it follows state and local laws and has its own safety measures in its stores."

I think that is a just and wise policy. Good for them for keeping a level head about it. Stand by for the pinheads from the Brady Bunch, et al., to start shrieking. In the meantime, go grab a coffee, and tell them you appreciate the policy.

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(mindy1 on Mar 3, 2010 5:17 AM) well good for them

(AnotherOpinion on Mar 3, 2010 6:23 PM) VA has open carry? So where in my car counts as open? Long guns too? In short, where can I find the laws and an explanation of them?

(porno on Mar 4, 2010 6:58 AM) work with such things as cutting politicians already have such weapons are allowed, and I can not give it meaning something is not good weapons ... we all need to stand against armaments and say I am against weapons against you must be in

(JustAl on Mar 5, 2010 9:08 AM) The above posts by KatyHorn32, runescape.gold, and porno are the most coherent I've ever read from the anti-gun socialists. . . and that pretty much sums up thee anti-gun socialists.

(AnotherOpinion on Mar 5, 2010 2:13 PM) The above posts by KatyHorn32, runescape.gold, and porno are SPAM! Over the last month or so OP-FOR has had many SPAM posts that link to products for sale. What OP-FOR intends to do to clean up this polution and stop it from continuing to happen, I'd like to know.

(Skippy-san on Mar 9, 2010 6:27 PM) I have to shake my head when folks celebrate the right to wear a gun into a Starbucks. For the life of me-the idea that this is something to celebrate just totally escapes me. That I live in a country where individuals fell compelled to carry a gun around, just because they can, is totally beyond me. The Second Amendment was never intended for this type of thing. I realize that it has to stay-and the soverign state of Virginia has the right to pass open carry laws, but its a sad commentary on the state of the country nonetheless. One of the things that disturbs the S.O. immensely is the American attitude towards guns. Being Japanese she is used to a much safer public environment and it disgusts her how much gun crime she has to see on the news every day. Yes, I own one gun. Have not used it in over 20 years. Probably won't ever use it again. I qualified on all the weapons I was required in the military-but I sure as hell would not carry one around just for the hell of it.

(JustAl on Mar 11, 2010 8:14 AM) Sorry your SO never sees how many crimes are prevented by guns in the American media. Sorry the exercise of individual liberty is totally beyond you. Thanks for your service. If you live in TX I might make an offer for that gun you want to sell. Regards,

"Marjah, Afghanistan (Mar. 1) - Afghanistan's Second Vice President, Karim Khalili, and Helmand Governor, Mohammed Ghulab Mangal, today visited Marjah in Central Helmand to meet with local residents and Afghan security forces. This is the most senior visit of Afghan Government and NATO-ISAF officials since joint Afghan and international security forces commenced clearing the area of insurgents several weeks ago.

"This visit enabled the Vice President to engage with hundreds of local residents who gathered at the District Centre and to hear their views, hopes and concerns for the future..."

That's all good news, but some tough row-hoeing lieth ahead. NOT that it can't be done, simply that there is much hard work to do. The most interesting passage is this:

"... Many welcomed the improved security to the area and the recent deployment of the Afghan National Civil Order Police [now the Gendarmerie, I think] , but also expressed concerns over the previous behaviour and standard of the Afghan National Uniformed Police who will eventually be deployed to the District. In addition, residents were anxious to hear the details of how and when more concrete support from the Government would arrive to rebuild the community given the insurgents who previously controlled the area failed to do so. ..."

That contains the essential issue here-- Marjah will be won by the side that is seen to have done and be doing things FOR the people, rather than TO the people. Keep your fingers crossed that the government can be goaded, persuaded, convinced, chided, rebuked, or if need be forced or compelled to be on the right end of that contest. I'm actually betting that it can.

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(Tom on Mar 2, 2010 7:28 PM) I am not against public bribery, ie support, advertised, to the government or to that city affected. I am proud of the Americans and allies that are making this possible.

""Why does the country need an independent Air Force?" the senior civilian assistant to General Norton A. Schwartz the service's chief of staff, had written. For the first time in the 62-year history of the Air Force, the answer isn't entirely clear."

Continued reading Drone's and the USAF...

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(Ripr on Feb 28, 2010 10:06 AM) Fold-up those silk scarves. Legend faces the inexorable march of technology and time.

(PSYOP Cop on Feb 28, 2010 12:20 PM) The USAF needs to utilize enlisted and/or warrant officer techs to fly these things. To have an officer sitting at a remote control panel is a waste of money. Yes, the units can be commanded by officers. But the vast majority of these guys need to come from enlisted ranks. And don't try the "it takes an educated officer to..." line either. If enlisted men can be trusted with nuclear reactors at sea, they can be trusted with a drone.

(Grumpy on Feb 28, 2010 3:56 PM) To: PSYOP Cop I came from the Air Force, your first paragraph will never fly! Sir, you're trying to use common sense. Sir, I was one of those dumb enlisted, we never knew there was such a thing as an "educated officer". Sir, about this "educated officer", could you tell me is their head stuck in or out?

(PSYOP Cop on Feb 28, 2010 4:04 PM) Well Grumpy, I sympathize with most of what you say, but there are a FEW good officers out there... I know it may never fly... but here's to wishing common sense might prevail for once in the Defense Department.

(Curt on Mar 1, 2010 11:43 AM) In the AF, the primary purpose of an officer is not to fly. Flying is, instead, the primary mechanism by which an officer gains rank. The purpose of an officer in the AF is to gain rank. Why aren't enlisted members allowed to fly? Because if they did, how would the officers gain rank?

(DaveO on Mar 1, 2010 1:57 PM) We're continuing to support two enormous mistakes. The Pilot-as-Officer is commissioned but lacks the leadership skills that define what it is to be an officer in the USA. They wear the rank, but they're just over-paid fratboys. A First Lieutenant in the Army has more leadership skills and experience than an Air Force pilot Lieutenant Colonel preparing for his or her first leadership position as Squadron XO. There may be an enormous pool of pilots (those behind controls whether in a building or in the cockpit) who won't get rated as such because they lack the college degree.

(craig.fournier on Mar 1, 2010 4:05 PM) There are two major issues at hand. Starting first with the Air Force, not only are they inserting a wedge between the culture of "pilot" versus "non-pilot", but they had the foresight to redesign the wings that the newly minted academy grads slated for UAV duty, sans flying, pin on. What better way to brand the "scarlet letter" on those individuals unlucky enough to draw "virtual" stick time. But more to the point, I wish to discuss the materiel issue. The CENTCOM Commander, as have all Combatant Commands, has been demanding access to "just in time" ISR. That means, more Predators, more Reapers and just plain, more. The problem is that the program office at Warner Robins just cannot keep up with the demands. And funds are shrinking beyond the FY11 budget. Congress itself has been intervening to bolster new "requirements" and critical needs of Soldiers in the field. The problem however, is neither funds nor production capacity. It is trained operators. As a former Army procurement officer for a similar program (Raven and Shadow) the program office ties production to trained crews and for government assurance purposes will only release the hardware once the gaining Unit is manned, trained and ready. This poses a problem for the Air Force. While the other services train and man up Predator crews with enlisted Soldiers, the Air Force insists on rated pilots. Yes, I am aware of their "pilot" (how ironic) study program to attempt to man the crew with enlisted Airmen. However the turnover rate in training is still the same effect: too long. Conversely, the second issue has to do with the other services. The Army, for instance cannot keep trained crews. "Curt" correctly states that it is in the Solder's/Airman's best interest to get promoted. In the Army that can be as short as 4 years to E-5. By the time an Army crew is manned, trained and prepared to accept new hardware, the crew has a window of only about 1 year out of that E-5 before he is promoted beyond the rank of his para/lin in the organization. So on the one hand, the AF is slow to issue and field a critical ISR asset, on the other the Army cannot keep crews, the funding is drying up and the need (and the bandwith required) is ever growing. "PSYCop" brings up a good point. Warrants are always an option. However, apart from Army pilots, the Services find that option distasteful. I posed a similar solution to another low density, highly trained MOS (job) while in assignment to the Pentagon during a "force design update". Well, the result was that I silenced the room for a full 15 seconds, before the argument was completely dismissed by the ranking SES. I guess it made too much sense. No degree required beyond what the military provides, accountability, stability and guaranteed long service. (There are still CW5 rated pilots from the Vietnam War in the Army!) God I love the military! Craig Fournier MAJ, AD CGSC Disclaimer: so the men-in-suits-with-badges don't come knocking, these opinions are wholly my own and not the Army's!

(mustang on Mar 1, 2010 10:05 PM) There was also a time when it was said that there will be no more need for a gun on a fighter aircraft.LOL Look how that concept changed. Drones are a fad. Yes, they have their place, just as a Tank has it's place or even a Ballistic Missile Submarine. The manned fighter/bomber will be a round a long time.

(PSYOP Cop on Mar 2, 2010 5:23 AM) Mustang, I disagree... and not because of what I feel, but because of what I've heard combat aviators say. I know the "gun issue" you refer too, and on that point you're right. But, the drone vs. manned aircraft issue is a different argument. Here, we're not talking about a weapon system, per se, but a platform for delivering weapon systems. Drones beat out manned aircraft hands-down... their weight is dramatically reduced due to the lack of pilot survival systems (not just the ejection seat, but the O2 production, climate control, etc). This increases range and payload. In the fighter arena, maneuverability has been limited by the human pilot and what he can physiologically tolerate... not anymore. These drones can (and will) do circles around the best pilots in the finest aircraft. Aside from that, they're cheap... not just in terms of financial cost, but in terms of human cost. Send in a squadron of drones and lose half of them to take out a target... not that big a deal. Easy to replace. There's also a diplomatic angle... while a manned F-15 dropping a JDAM over Pakistani airspace is an act of war, it is a little more palatible to all involved when it's simply an unmanned drone. Yes, the result is the same, but it spares everyone the diplomatic "ants in the pants" that a manned aircraft might cause. This isn't like the "guns on a plane" argument... this is more like the "horse cavalry vs. tank" argument. Guess which one manned aircraft are. Minded, this won't happen next year... but mark my words, this is the beginning of the end of manned military aviation.

(mustang on Mar 2, 2010 9:28 PM) psyop cop, Drones only work in a sterile airspace,ie no enemy aircraft to attack them. So far we have been in conflicts where we own the sky. And yes you are right about the costs and diplomatic issues. And the fact that we have a aversion to taking casualties. A manned aircraft has the advantage over a drone in the respect that a man can make snap decisions there on the spot and there is no way his mind can be jammed or disabled with interference, yet anyway. And a manned bomber has the advantage of the crew making some in-flight repairs.

(PSYOP Cop on Mar 3, 2010 10:22 AM) Mustang, the days of drones needing a sterile airspace will come to an end the day the first drone fighter is produced (and that day is coming). Yes, a man can make snap decisions. I'll give you that argument... but I don't think it's one that the powers-that-be at USAF will buy into. About jamming... another issue, yes. However, we have traditionally dominated the EW space and I have no doubt that will continue to be the case (even more so since with drones it's that much more critical).

(Curtis on Mar 6, 2010 2:13 AM) I believe that fighters and single seaters will go to drones very quickly, but I do not see the death of manned aviation. UAVs have one major weakness. reliability. Once something breaks, not having a guy sitting directly in the cockpit to troubleshoot and compensate on sight becomes a major liability. So I see a manned future for tankers, bombers, and cargo planes well into the future. A F-UAV falling out of the sky might lawn-dart into a single house. A KC-UAV going down could take out half a town. Finally, those planes stick around forever. KC-135 has lasted for fifty years, the KC-X might last almost as long, if there is a large unmanned tanker, it won't debut until sometime near the end of the century.

"MARJAH, Afghanistan — Marines and Afghan troops cleared the last major pocket of resistance in the former Taliban-ruled town of Marjah on Saturday -- part of an offensive that is the run-up to a larger showdown this year in the most strategic part of Afghanistan's dangerous south.

"Although Marines say their work in Marjah isn't done, Afghans are bracing for a bigger, more comprehensive assault in neighboring Kandahar province, the birthplace of the Taliban where officials are talking to aid organizations about how to handle up to 10,000 people who could be displaced by fighting."

Again, we say that the win in Marjah is not the elimination of Taliban fuckos (as fine a thing as that is) but the political, economic and social gains that can be made after it. And now that they're signalling another operation to the east in Kandahar, we can see how one battle shapes the next. I stand by my prediction that if these large-scale ops are followed by assertion of effective policing and governance, this time next year we'll be talking about a much changed Afghanistan.

Stay tuned.

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Anyway, here's another very useful article, on the deceptively simple act of tossing a pack on your back and setting off. There's some very good advice in there, and best of all is this-- try it out and work it out, before you have to throw it on and get out.

Also, recently we highlighted another Survival Blog note about Silver Bear ammo being non-corrosive, and therefore a good source for the millions of Mosins out there. I believe that its brother Brown Bear is also non-corrosive, and is even cheaper. Good news all around. (Can someone say yea or nay on this??)

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(Scooter on Feb 27, 2010 3:10 PM) Mutiple sites show all the Bear ammo is NC. SIlver = Zinc plated GOld = Brass plated Brown - laq coated steel All are steel cased, Berdan prime = not reloadable.

(LtCol P on Feb 27, 2010 3:29 PM) Scooter: MO-TI-VATING. Thanks. jpp

(AnotherOpinion on Feb 27, 2010 9:45 PM) I've "heard" that laquer coated can gum things up when things get hot. The only cure being a through cleaning followed by not using the offending ammo. I for one don't want unreliability in the next shot.

(Scooter on Feb 28, 2010 1:21 PM) "I've "heard" that laquer coated can gum things up when things get hot" If true, there would be a LOT more dead commies/hadjis - yes? Used by the ComBlock for years (almost foever) - if the problem was a bad as many make it out to be, they would have changed how the ammo is made. Me - never had a problem. Maybe folks with a problem have 'tight' chambers..... Anyway, less expensive means lots more in my storage bins. Got your Zombie plan ready?????

(bullnav on Mar 4, 2010 10:10 AM) Homespun Al casting...interesting. I would be careful about what Al you were using. Coke cans are the most common source you would use, but that is not great from a strength standpoint. Not to mention, while Al is a lightweight material, it does not have great fatigue properties and is not ductile. It does have good compressive strength properties, and with proper wall thicknesses can be used instead of steel or iron (witness die/sand cast Al engine blocks and heads).