Wisconsin man leaves loaded gun at Door County fun park

[SecularMotion]

A 76-year-old Oconomowoc, Wis., man -- whose wife left a loaded handgun in a Brookfield church restroom earlier this year -- left his own weapon in the restroom of a Door County fun park earlier this month, according to sheriff's department reports.

The loaded Ruger .380-caliber was found in a holster on the floor of the men's room at the Egg Harbor Fun Park on Aug. 9. A patron of the park, which features miniature golf, go-karts, arcade games and many other attractions for families, turned it in to the park's owner. The owner held it for a few hours assuming the owner would come back looking for the gun, but when no one did, he called the sheriff's office.

Investigators days later traced the gun to Gerald Hitchler, who has a second home in Egg Harbor. Records showed he had purchased the weapon in 2012 from a Gander Mountain store.

No one was hurt.

http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_26420834/man-leaves-loaded-gun-at-fun-park

[samsingh]

1. responsible gun owners (sic)

[IronGate]

3. Where do you come up with the nonsense that he's a responsible gun owner? nt.

[samsingh]

11. isn't that the basic argument about having no gun control?

trust those with guns, don't violate their imaginary - gun maker inspired - rights?

[IronGate]

12. No, it isn't.

And I would like you to link to anyone here who has said that.

[friendly_iconoclast]

18. "And I would like you to link to anyone here who has said that."

You'll be waiting until the heat death of the universe.

As you have undoubtedly noticed, a certain faction of DU posters like to
accuse others of saying certain things without any evidence whatsoever...

[blueridge3210]

23. Business as usual (nt)

[friendly_iconoclast]

25. They need to be asked where a list of "NRA talking points" can be found

These "talking points" are like Bigfoot- many claim to have seen them, but no
one can give hard evidence of where they are...

[Duckhunter935]

28. I have asked many times

never get an answer or link to the points other than snarky replies that have no links to said points.

[Politicalboi]

2. He should lose EVERY gun he has

And spend a year in jail. Fuck these gun nuts. Needs to take his paranoia with him, but forgets about it in a bathroom.

When a Waukesha Freeman reporter contacted Hitchler on Monday, he characterized the incident as "funny, accidental" and "not a big deal."

Too bad I can't say what I really want. I wouldn't find it a big deal if this asshole were to be found dead. I would find it funny.

[sarisataka]

4. Ah that good old respect for life

All lives are valuable

Too bad I can't say what I really want. I wouldn't find it a big deal if this asshole were to be found dead. I would find it funny.

well except for some lives...

FTW I think he should loose his rights to gun ownership. At 76, I don't really see what the point to jailing him would be.

[ileus]

6. The old gun owners deserve to die rant....

never gets old...kinda like the wanker comments they always come up with.

[Politicalboi]

10. Not deserve to die

But we anti gun people deserve to be safe and not have to worry about people with guns. Why should we have to trust gun owners to be safe? And if more guns are going to be around, let's make insurance a MUST. Carry your weapon in public, pay through the nose to do so.

[Starboard Tack]

15. But they're not guns. Don't you understand.

They're only guns when used for hunting or at the range, when engaging in "family fun".
The rest of the time they are completely harmless PSD's. No more dangerous than a pack of condoms. Don't believe me see post #5.

[friendly_iconoclast]

20. Post #5 worked as intended. I hope you extracted the hook without difficulty

For those unfamiliar, our ileus is an ethical angler and does not use barbed hooks...

[Eleanors38]

27. Drive I-35 in Austin, you trust by the thousands.

[samsingh]

13. yup - i wonder what gun lovers think should be done with these

insipid unaccountable couple and their guns?

[sarisataka]

19. I do not know

why reckless endangerment could not be charged. Leaving a loaded gun unattended in a public area seems to fit the definition

The offense is intended to prohibit and therefore deter reckless or wanton conduct that wrongfully creates a substantial risk of death or serious injury to others.

At the risk of treading into talking point area- enforce the law. Such an act is not a joke and should be treated as seriously negligent.

[Duckhunter935]

24. You are right

You can not say enforce the existing laws as we all know they are on the mythical "NRA Talking Points" list that no one has yet been able to post even after many requests.

[samsingh]

38. if laws are not enforced then the nra should have no problem if more were passed

since they too will go unenforced.

[samsingh]

37. if the law allows tough measures to be taken - they should be - i'm not sure why they are not

[Eleanors38]

26. How sweetly liberal. Sanctity of life, and all. nt

[ileus]

5. Another reason everyone should OWB carry.

Safety first, leave your PSD in the shitter never.

[Duckhunter935]

7. yep

IWB carry can be a pain but everybody freaks out with the safer OWB carry option.

[Starboard Tack]

16. Great advice. Especially if you have a seriously blocked intestinal condition

Intestinal blockage can be caused by injury or trauma, lack of activity, or abnormal chemical reactions in the intestines. It may also be a side effect of certain pain medications, such as morphine and oxycodone.

Maybe that's why he forgot his PSD. Too much morphine or oxycodone. Made him forget it was actually a gun he was carrying.
http://www.healthline.com/health/ileus

[ileus]

21. You're the first person who ever caught on.

Or at least acknowledged it.

[Politicalboi]

8. Sorry to those I offended

I just couldn't believe this asshole thought it to be funny that he left his gun where any kid could have picked it up. How does one take that lightly. I didn't wish him dead, I just wouldn't have any sympathy if he had keeled over during his interview.

[samsingh]

14. i wouldn't wish him dead

But if its a choice between him and an innocent person or more likely people, the thinking becomes very clear.

[sarisataka]

22. Accepted

An admirable of you to say so.

I agree it is no laughing matter to leave a gun laying around. IMO we have laws that could be used against such negligence but if we need a specific law that says don't leave your gun on the back of the crapper, or anywhere else in public, I'm 100% behind that.

[Eleanors38]

30. So noted. Thank you. nt

[petronius]

9. Not a particularly confidence-inspiring reaction by the fun park owner, either

Holding onto lost property until the owner returns is great for things like umbrellas and coffee mugs, for example - but I'd hope for a more proactive response when it's a firearm in a play area...

[Starboard Tack]

17. Yep! Pretty sad when a gun gets seen as the equivalent to an umbrella.

Maybe mainstream America is becoming immune to the point where finding a gun in a public restroom is no more odd than finding a cigarette lighter or a cellphone.

[riversedge]

29. first the wife does it-now him. this family

needs an extended gun safety course before they are allowed the permits again.

[GP6971]

31. So, he "lost" his

weapon on Saturday the 9th and when contacted on Monday (let's assume the 11th) he said he was surprised and remembers going there. You mean to tell me he didn't realize it was missing all that time. Responsible gun owner my ass!!

BTW......what do the following acronyms stand for......PSD,IWB,OWB?

[Duckhunter935]

33. answer

IWB=Inside Waistband holster

OWB=Outside Waistband holster


PSB=Personal Safety Device. I would never call it that myself.

You are right, he was not a responsible gun owner.

[GP6971]

34. Many Thanks !!!!! n/t

[Duckhunter935]

35. No problem

my pleasure to help.

[Historic NY]

32. Lets hope they don't give them back.

[GP6971]

36. Fat chance

although I hope not.....both losing their weapons indicates that something is very wrong. When I carried in the military, it was a pain in the ass. Couldn't wait to turn the weapon back into the arms room. So carrying an uncomfortable weapon is easily missed? And they didn't realize it until they were confronted with it?????? I say bullshit. Their concealed carry permits should be evaluated if not revoked