[Malum Prohibitum]

From Clayton Cramer:

Tragedy And A Lesson

One of the arguments that gun control advocates often use for why police officers aren't subject to the same restrictions on gun ownership as civilians is how much better trained police are. One of the big problems with this claim is that a lot of civilians actually have received comparable or better training, and there are police officers who must have been adequately trained, but sure don't show it. This article from the August 15, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle gives yet another sad example:

[quote:1kad3m28]The San Francisco rookie police officer who accidentally shot himself to death fired his weapon while displaying for a female friend how officers are taught to avoid having their guns used against them, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday.

The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. Saturday during a gathering of as many as 15 people at the San Mateo apartment of the 23-year-old officer, James Gustafson Jr.

According to those familiar with the incident, Gustafson was showing his Police Department-issued semiautomatic pistol after removing the clip that stores the rounds. He explained that there are ways an officer can disable a weapon in close proximity to keep it from being fired.

It apparently was part of a demonstration of the department's "weapons retention" procedures. However, there was still a bullet in the chamber.

Gustafson pointed the weapon at his neck and pulled the trigger, shooting himself, according to authorities.

San Francisco Police Department policy is never to point a gun at a target that an officer does not intend to shoot, authorities said.

If this guy had been on the force for 15 years, you might argue that he forgot his training. But Gustafson was pretty fresh out of the academy. You would think that he would know this. Even before I had any formal training with firearms, I knew that you have to check the chamber--removing the magazine isn't enough.[/quote:1kad3m28]
http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/200 ... 8052568292

 

[ptsmith24]

They say he "forgot his training"? More like basic gun safety rules...

 

[AeroShooter]

The rules of gun safety are simple and absolute. If you follow them, things like this will not happen.

 

[fallison]

I would guess he was counting on the magazine disconnect safeties that are all the rage today among LE organizations.

 

[lowside]

while displaying for a female friend

I think that is probably the most telling snippet from the article. Sounds like he was to busy showing off to remember some of his most fundamental training. I've certainly done my fair share of stupid things to impress girls, but nothing quite that bad.

It's a damn shame :shakehead:

 

[oxfat]

It depends on how long its been since his training. In the training world there is this thing called the Ebbinghaus curve, or the "cure of forgetfulness." After you have been trained on something, if you don't immediately reinforce it, the rate at which you forget is quite fast.

Training must be immediately reinforced with practice, and kept in place by procedure/habit. So if has not been long enough to become ingrained, but long enough to forget the details, I can see this happening.

At a quarter to 2 in the morning, and after a few beers . . . .

In a country with 300million people, its a wonder these things don't happen more often. It would be interesting to see the rates of LEO accidental shootings compared to those of gun enthusiasts. I'd expect that people such as GCO members would have a much better safety record.

 

[merlock]

Another fine example of professionalism.
:shakehead:

 

[wsweeks2]

Darwin award finalist.

 

[foshizzle]

Do you even need training to realize you don't point a gun at yourself and pull the trigger?

 

[Rammstein]

Do you even need training to realize you don't point a gun at yourself and pull the trigger?

Apparently so.

 

[budder]

Do you even need training to realize you don't point a gun at yourself and pull the trigger?

Apparently so.

So it's either training or professionalism :?

 

[Sharky]

"heres your sign"

 

[lowside]

"heres your sign"

:rotfl:

 

[Bodean]

I think that would be a good enough reason not to let LEO handle your gun while at a traffic stop. Lord only knows what their mind is on while handling it. Then they could say I used my weapon on an officer. :shock:

 

[tj2000]

From Clayton Cramer:

Tragedy And A Lesson

One of the arguments that gun control advocates often use for why police officers aren't subject to the same restrictions on gun ownership as civilians is how much better trained police are. One of the big problems with this claim is that a lot of civilians actually have received comparable or better training, and there are police officers who must have been adequately trained, but sure don't show it. This article from the August 15, 2007 San Francisco Chronicle gives yet another sad example:

[quote:6a92rtar]The San Francisco rookie police officer who accidentally shot himself to death fired his weapon while displaying for a female friend how officers are taught to avoid having their guns used against them, law enforcement authorities said Tuesday.

The incident happened at 1:40 a.m. Saturday during a gathering of as many as 15 people at the San Mateo apartment of the 23-year-old officer, James Gustafson Jr.

According to those familiar with the incident, Gustafson was showing his Police Department-issued semiautomatic pistol after removing the clip that stores the rounds. He explained that there are ways an officer can disable a weapon in close proximity to keep it from being fired.

It apparently was part of a demonstration of the department's "weapons retention" procedures. However, there was still a bullet in the chamber.

Gustafson pointed the weapon at his neck and pulled the trigger, shooting himself, according to authorities.

San Francisco Police Department policy is never to point a gun at a target that an officer does not intend to shoot, authorities said.

If this guy had been on the force for 15 years, you might argue that he forgot his training. But Gustafson was pretty fresh out of the academy. You would think that he would know this. Even before I had any formal training with firearms, I knew that you have to check the chamber--removing the magazine isn't enough.

http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/200 ... 8052568292[/quote:6a92rtar]

OUCH, another Darwin awards winner, Here's your sign RIP.
Something tells me he forgot a step in his training, Like THINKING.....

Gee I wonder if there was alcohol involved with the gathering, in Ga you only need two, you and BUD........
:cantsay:

 

[viper32cm]

I find it almost more distrubing that this bafoon was licensed to drive a car in the state of California or even worse was issued (or would have been issued) a large rear wheel drive sedan by the city of San Fransisco.

 

[Wiley]

At least he had the decency to off himself and not a new recruit as a "training officer" did to a female Cobb County police recruit during a "training exersize".

I think that badge-heavy-flat-foot is still an LEO and still training. uke:. I don't remember any charges were brought.