Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Texas Office Worker Accidentally Shoots Himself in Both Legs While Sitting at Desk

FORT WORTH, Texas — "A 47-year-old man was shot in both legs when he accidentally discharged a handgun while sitting in his cubicle at an insurance office, police said.

The man, who hasn't been publicly identified, had put his .45-caliber gun into his jacket pocket and then draped the jacket over the back of his chair, said Brett McGuire, Lake Worth police chief.

The gun discharged Tuesday morning as the man settled into his chair. He said the man must have done something to make the weapon fire."

(Jeepers, Chief, think so?)

"The bullet passed through both of the man's legs and a bookcase before lodging in the wall of a cubicle.

McGuire said there was no indication the man had brought the gun to target anyone.

"He wasn't having problems with his bosses or co-workers that we know of," McGuire said.

McGuire said his department has no record of the man being licensed to carry a concealed weapon. He said detectives would wait until the man, who was taken to a hospital, had recovered before deciding whether to pursue charges."

The discharge could not have happened as so described, for the pistol must have been in line with or close to the level of both legs. For that much penetration we're probably talking full metal jacket, and no, Chief, not HIS jacket, but the bullet's. FMJ means the man intended to use the gun for target practice, or he's a newbee without a clue, but since the reporting is so bloody awful it remains impossible to determine which. A 47 year-old insurance worker, without a carry permit, totes a sidearm into work then shoots himself.

Smart money says he just bought the thing in the parking lot.

Oh and one other thing. In most states you don't need a carry license to pack heat on private property. If the owner doesn't wish to press charges all they have the shooter on is how he brought the gun into the workplace. Then again Texas doesn't permit open carry so he's probably screwed, but not because he was carrying a concealed weapon while at his desk. Regardless, calling a good lawyer right about now would probably be a good idea.

Do YOU have one on retainer?

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