The dumb lobby: Five injured at US gun shows as protest day backfires
21 Jan 2013 00:00
America's gun lobby shot itself in the foot as the Gun Appreciation Day events was marred by misfiring weapons
Deadly: Pro-gun activist in Salt Lake City
AP
America's gun lobby shot itself in the foot when five people were wounded at firearms shows.
The Gun Appreciation Day events were led by campaigners who want to stop new arms controls in the wake of the Sandy Hook school massacre.
But as their supporters paraded round with weapons and placards at the weekend, the rallies misfired.
Three people were injured in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show when a 12-gauge shotgun went off as its owner unzipped its case for a police officer at the security entrance.
Shotgun pellets hit two bystanders and they were taken to hospital.
A retired deputy sheriff also suffered a slight hand injury.
Fired up: A woman displays her rifle to fellow demonstrators
Getty
The gun’s owner, Gary Wilson, 36, had taken the weapon along to find a buyer.
In Indianapolis, a 54-year-old man was injured when he accidentally shot himself while leaving a gun show.
Emory Cozee was loading his .45 calibre semi-automatic as he made his way home. Loaded personal weapons were not allowed in the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife Show.
In Ohio, a gun dealer in Medina was checking a semi-automatic handgun he had just bought when he accidentally pulled the trigger, injuring his friend.
The gun’s magazine had been removed from the firearm, but there was a round left in the chamber.
The bullet ricocheted off the floor and struck the friend in the arm and leg.
Earlier organisers of Gun Appreciation Day had urged Americans to: “Go to your local gun store, gun range or gun show with your Constitution, American flags and your ‘Hands off my Guns’ sign to send a loud and clear message.”
President Barack Obama has called for action in the wake of last month’s shooting at Newtown, Connecticut, which left 27 people dead, 20 of them children age seven or younger.
Gun shows in the US reported brisk business over the weekend.
Placard: Protestor in Phoenix, Arizona
Reuters
Crowds queued to get into the West gun show in Phoenix with customers panic buying weapons and ammunition before new rules are brought in.
One shopper, Matthew Spinzl, 25, said: “If the ban goes in, this is the last chance to buy the gun I want to buy.”
He wanted an AR-15 rifle, the type of gun used in the mass killing.
People had to check in weapons with security at the show but there were three-hour long queues in an area of the showground where ammunition was sold at wholesale prices.
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