Community Corner

Are Gun Shows Safe? Five Accidental Shootings at Gun Shows, Including in Medina

Saturday's accidental shooting at the Medina Gun Show was the first in 35 years.

On what was pitched as "Gun Appreciation Day," five people were shot and injured at three different gun shows across the country, including one in nearby Medina. 

The Huffington Post reported earlier this week that a handful of conservative groups declared Jan. 19 Gun Appreciation Day. It was also a day that many communities hosted gun shows where hunters, gun collectors and enthusiasts gather to buy and sell guns.

The Medina Gun Show has been an annual event since 1978, according to its website. Organizer Conrad & Dowell puts on gun shows at the Medina County Community Center throughout the year. 

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At Saturday's show, a vendor bought a handgun at the show and knew it was loaded, according to The Plain Dealer. The vendor aimed the gun away from people while trying to unload it and accidentally fired the gun at the concrete floor. The bullet ricocheted off the floor and hit the vendor's arm and leg, according to NewsNet5

Saturday's accidental shooting was the first in 35 years, according to the Plain Dealer.

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There are rules at the show to prevent accidents and the rules are prominently published on the show's website:  

"For everyone’s safety, no loaded firearms are allowed in the building. All firearms brought into the building are checked to confirm they are not loaded and then “tied”. All firearms on exhibitor’s tables are restrained in some way. Guns are restrained by being in a glass case, by rope or wire tied. All State and Federal firearms laws are vigorously enforced. You must be 18 years old to purchase a long gun and 21 years old to purchase a handgun."

But somehow somebody handled a loaded weapon and somebody got hurt. 

So the question is, have you ever been to a gun show? Do you think they are safe? Could they be safer?  How?


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