General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGun shop owner fatally shot worker in prank gone wrong
MONCKS CORNER The owner of a gun store in Berkeley County was arrested nearly a month after telling authorities he accidentally shot and killed his employee, mistaking his handgun for a BB gun. Jon Whitley, 59, surrendered to Berkeley County deputies in the early hours of Nov. 29 on a charge of involuntary manslaughter, sheriffs Capt. Michael Crumley told The Post and Courier.
His arrest comes four weeks after Stefan Mrgan, 36, died inside Coastal Firearms. Authorities arrived at the shop shortly before 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and found Mrgan, a former member of the Army Special Forces and father of three, dead in the stores lobby with a gunshot wound to his lower face, according to an incident report.
Whitley informed them he had brought a replica Glock BB gun into the store and placed it among other real firearms with the intent of pranking Mrgan, according to a copy of an arrest warrant affidavit.
Whitley, a firearms expert, mistakenly picked up a real, loaded weapon instead of the replica, pointed it at the victim and fired it, fatally shooting Mrgan, according to the affidavit.
The document stated Whitleys actions were unintentional, but also described them as reckless and a departure from common firearm safety practices.
https://www.postandcourier.com/news/gun-shop-owner-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-accused-of-shooting-employee/article_c1cd1600-50c1-11ec-9349-83f243c2b37f.html
flying rabbit
(4,636 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Just stupid as hell
AndyS
(14,559 posts)They are all well trained.
They are all law abiding.
They are all safety conscious.
They are all responsible.
UNTIL THEY ARE NOT, THEN SOMEBODY DIES.
Crunchy Frog
(26,613 posts)Interesting how they seem to be systematically removing the language of personal responsibility from descriptions of gun homicides.
brush
(53,827 posts)Certainly not an experience firearms expert. Sounds suspicious. A gun shop is no place for pranks with guns.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)Airsoft shoots plastic pellets at velocities too low to penetrate skin. Still unprofessional and stupid, but probably wasnt an intentional homicide.
I agree with you!
Sneederbunk
(14,298 posts)A dumbass gun show owner.
bottomofthehill
(8,343 posts)Something does not add up.
NowISeetheLight
(3,943 posts)You have to be kidding. You don't "prank" with a gun, real or not. Police have shot people who have BB guns thinking they're real. This guy is an idiot and deserves to be in prison.
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Berkeley County deputies spent the 27 days since Mrgans death investigating the shooting, obtaining video footage from Whitleys store, sheriffs Capt. Michael Crumley said.
Demovictory9
(32,468 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,786 posts)sanatanadharma
(3,719 posts)Why should we have any fear of people with guns? They are law abiding, wise, knowledgeable (never confusing magazines with clips), and have the constitution on their side.
All we have is heart humanity, logic, and 'right'.
Sadly, guns trump heart, humanity, logic, and right.
Ka-Dinh Oy
(11,686 posts)It is alright if a rabid gun supporter kills another rabid gun supporter. It's just an understandable accident.
Sancho
(9,070 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Sorry
LiberatedUSA
(1,666 posts)he is one negligent MFer.
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)when he picks it up...joking of course. hmmmm.
or
Didn't know the difference because their was some kind of argument/altercation and he shot while angry....hmmm.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)They shoot plastic pellets, with either spring, CO2, or electric powered air pistons at velocities below that which can penetrate human skin. Its a popular game in my area.
Many do not have the orange tip to clearly identify them as toys.
LisaL
(44,974 posts)One would think he should have known which gun was real and which gun was bbb.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)Im not surprised by this.
sarisataka
(18,748 posts)Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)This is purely anecdotal, but among my fellow gun owners who I know personally,
the ones with the biggest collections are not the sharpest of my friends. I have a feeling
it's like that across the nation.
It's like a cult. A sick, twisted cult.
ExciteBike66
(2,372 posts)are the exact people I DON'T want armed...
uponit7771
(90,356 posts)LisaL
(44,974 posts)He picked up the gun, pointed it at the victim and fired it.
What kind of prank is that?