Accident at Gun Show: 5 Injured at 3 Different Shows (VIDEO)
At least five people have been injured over the weekend after guns were accidentally fired at gun shows in three different states.
Three people were injured Saturday at a Raleigh, North Carolina gun show. A 36-year-old man from Wilmington was allegedly unfastening his 12-gauge shotgun from its case, when shots were fired causing a number of people to flee the Dixie Gun and Knife Show, according to CNN. Of the three people injured, one was a sheriff who was shot in the hand. Two other bystanders were also hit by shotgun pellets, according to the Assoicated Press.
The owner, Gary Lynn Wilson, had intended to sell the gun to a private buyer. It was not stated whether or not Wilson would face any charges. Thousands of people typically attend the event, according to the Post. Afterwards, police banned all people from selling guns to private buyers for the remainder of the two-day show, although officials acknowledged that the incident had only been an accident.
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"If we thought if it was a problem or a hazard, we wouldn't have this show," Joel Keith, chief of police of the North Carolina State Fair, told CNN about private gun sales at the show. "I'm sure there isn't anybody who hates this more than the guy who owned this weapon."
A second accident took place in Indianapolis, Indiana after a 54-year-old man accidentally shot himself at the Indy 1500 Gun and Knife show. Emory L. Cozee was loading his .45-caliber semi-automatic when the accident occurred.
In Ohio, a third incident occurred after a man was shot by his business partner. The man who was shot suffered injuries to his arm and thigh although they were non-life threatening.
People had been cautioned at the shows to not bring guns loaded with ammunition.
