Every year, nearly 3000 children and teens die from gunfire, and nearly 14,000 are injured.

Monday, July 9, 2012

13- and 17-year old boys nearly hit by stray gunfire from Illinois private shooting range

A home in Green Garden Township, Illinois, was peppered by gunfire from a shooting range set up at a neighbor's home.  One 9mm bullet punctured a window and an internal wall, nearly hitting a 13-year old boy and his sleeping 17-year old brother.

Police were called, and after the victim family demanded it, they went to investigate and found a home shooting range set up, where 25-30 people had been shooting at the time of the stray bullets.  The range's owner apologized, but so far no charges have been made and the range is still operational.

From an article:

“I could hear the whistling of bullets and the pinging of them hitting metal,” she said. “I was getting worried, so I went inside.” 
She was in the basement when she heard a loud “bang,” and then her 13-year-old son started screaming. A bullet had struck the family room window and continued on, piercing a wall in a bedroom closet where her 17-year-old son was sleeping. 
“We were terrified,” she said. “We didn’t know what we’d find behind that door when we opened it.”
....
Gaskin said that event was run by DMZ Tactical in Homer Glen. A man named “George,” of DMZ, who would not confirm his last name, says he was at the event but insists he did not run it. He said he also apologized for the wayward shot. 
“We do everything possible to keep it safe,” “George” said. “This was an accident.” 
Bill Gaskin said his encounter with “George” turned ugly after he asked about the shooting instructor’s credentials. 
“George” on Thursday told the SouthtownStar that he’s been teaching people how to shoot since he got out of the Marines in the 1990s. His website describes his mission as “tactical firearm training for the rest of us.” DMZ Tactical has been in business for a couple of years now, “George” said, although it is not registered with the village of Homer Glen nor with the Illinois secretary of state’s office. The address listed on his website leads to a box inside a UPS Store.
Still, “George” insists, “It’s not illegal, it’s done legitimately, and we’re as safe as possible.”
He also accused Bill Gaskin of being “anti-gun.” 
Bill Gaskin said he is a member of the NRA and Illinois Rifle Association. 
“I’m not anti-gun, just anti-irresponsible shooting,” he said. “I lobby in Springfield each year for conceal and carry because I believe in it. I don’t believe in irresponsible gun practices.” 
The Gaskins have four sons. 
“This is a hang-out house. We have kids over here all the time,” Bill Gaskin said. “They hang out in the yard because we have a pool.”

Bullets don't know when to stop.

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