This old man should have been better trained in firearms handling. I think the city should have to inspect and approve of the weapon you are carrying to insure it is safe and that you are a responsible handler.Like someone else said...maybe make it every 2 or 3 years. With all that stimulus money flowing Im sure cities could get a grant to fund another officer or two for this purpose or the city could charge a 20.00 a year carry fee or something.

But I also believe that citizens should be able to go about their business armed.

Our police and courts cant seem to do anything to stop criminals from acting. And our courts also routinely unleash violent criminals back onto our streets thru slap on the wrist sentances.

Ive been accosted many times at Whites, the car wash and even once at an intersection at 5 am by bums wanting money. One even tried to get violent with me.

How long will it be before we get one of these folks who is desperate enough to finally use violence to get drug or alcohol money.

When the city of Kingsport starts rounding up these god forsaken people and getting rid of them and our courts and judicial system starts to realize that violent people need to be removed from society permanently maybe then citizens will feel to venture out unarmed.

"... more people get killed everyday in a vehicle than by a bullet."

Ah, yes. That old canard is back again. My response to that is the usual one: vehicles are not created to kill. They are created for the purpose of getting from point A to point B in a short amount of time.

Guns? Now what is their raison d'être? Would that be "killing?" From a distance? Or up close? Yeah. That's what I thought!

Sacré bleu!!! Learn a thing - or maybe even two. How about???

American Vet: I call shenanigans.

There isn't a human being alive who could draw and fire a holstered weapon, on safety... in 1/100th of a second.

I'll give you 1/3 of a second, but nothing remotely near 1/100th of a second.

"I agree with DP and anyone that will carry a gun without a safety on it is stupid"


And prior to "gun in bars" being passed, we were adamantly told that nobody who carries was stupid. Amid verses of "God Bless America", I swear.

Am I wrong, or were we told this simply didn't happen by the pro-guns-in-bars cheerleader squad. What say you, Nicole Goeser? You were sobbing on here not too long ago over your loss. What say you about YOUR RESPONSIBILITY here. Just another advocate who walks away from the responsibility, eh?

And don't look now, but Paul Benjamin is on your side, Joe P. He just uses his head, something you don't do.

D. P.

damn right we should, if they are 65 and over.

there are a lot of old people who are incredibly dangerous while driving.

if you are too old to work, then maybe you just might be too old to drive and operate heavy machinery ;) I mean if this guy is tucking a loaded weapon into the waistband of his pants, he definitely needs a routine safety course, especially being a retired cop. if he can't seem to safely maintain a weapon, what makes you think he can safely drive a car?

Michelle, more people get killed everyday in a vehicle than by a bullet. Should we test every two years for drivers license?

People should have to test every 2 years to get and keep a gun permit.

that takes some talent to injure 3 people with 1 bullet.

what kind of retard, oops... sorry, retired cop carries a gun tucked in his waistband? guess his VT sweat pants didn't have belt loops.

Glocks are very safe hence the name Glock Safe Action System. There are 3 safeties. 1 the the switch in the trigger to prevent a foreign object from pulling the trigger, 2 the striker is always in the forward (decocked) position until the trigger is pulled. 3 There is a striker block to prevent discharge by dropping. The safeties don't disengage until the trigger is pulled. Now there are 4 rules to gun safety that will prevent accidents. 1 Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 2 Never point a gun at something you don't wish to destroy. 3 Keep your finger off the trigger until the decision has been made to fire. 4 Know where your rounds will stop. Glocks got a bad name when New York switched to them in the 90s. After years of carrying revolvers the officers lax safety habits and training led them to putting their fingers inside the trigger guard when holstering, causing them to shoot themselves in the feet. Glocks come with a 3.5lb trigger pull so new york started ordering them with a 5.5 and now 7lb pull. Now we have the term New York Trigger. All this can be resolved by keeping your Booger Hook off the Bang Switch.

GLOCKS are not very safe guns to carry there have been alot of police that have shot themselves in the leg or foot , there are alot safer guns to carry than those.

Chuck,
The owners name is William Wyatt according to the article.

Hey Joe P,
Since it's already been pointed out that he's not a cop anymore, I would expect a better debate. So, I'm gonna hit second gear and give you another chance. What if the second or third injured were you or your kids, would you show off that Glock 17 or would you forgive and forget. To be honest, I'm not sure of myself on that one.

Short of mechanical failure there is no such thing as accidental discharge, he had to violate one of the 4 main rules of gun safety. The gun should have been in a holster that completely covers the trigger, not carrying "Mexican". The report said "in the back of his establishment" I assume meaning he was the owner therefore he can carry anywhere he pleases, so the whole guns in restaurants does not apply here. It's is perfectly acceptable and common practice, even among law enforcement to carry most modern firearms with the safety off. These guns have features like firing pin blocks and heavier pull triggers. At 73 years old I would speculate that he was carrying an older, possibly his former service revolver. Most of these pre 1980s were prone to going off if dropped or if the hammer was inadvertently struck against a table or other object hard enough.

Is Danville that dangerous a place to go out and eat ? Why anyone need to go armed can't the Sheriff and Police keep people safe up there ? Would they need more People to do the job? We have tons of Unemployed Americans that will help out.

Does the 73 year old still have a drivers license ?
Many don't ! Is there a test for those over a certain age to carry a gun?
How many would he kill trying to hit someone and missing ?

WHOSE BACKGROUND ARE YOU STANDING IN ?

I agree with DP and anyone that will carry a gun without a safety on it is stupid, I carry a double maction only .40 cal with a safety on it, I have to take off the safety and completly pull the trigger, if mine shoots it is because I wanted it to.
It takes me a 1/100th of a secon to draw and shoot, I have timed and practiced so there is no reason to not carry a gun with a safety, and oh, if it has it, use it!

"Try engaging brain BEFORE shifting typing fingers into gear."

This guy was not a police officer. Please follow own advice. Thanks.

Correct, D P.

Next time make him keep his bullet in his pocket like Barney had to do.

you are right DP it just didnt go off.

cops carry guns in holsters, not tucked in their pants.

So, uh, Paul? Should every police officer check their gun a the door when they walk into a mall, McDonalds or Wal-Mart?

Try engaging brain BEFORE shifting typing fingers into gear.

Exactly why the TN "guns in bars/restaurants" law is Bull S**t. Guns don't belong around crowds!!!

Guns do not just discharge on their own. Someone pulled the trigger.