1911.COM : General Discussion : General Discussion : Backyard ranges

General Discussion : General Discussion

Backyard ranges - Negligent Discharges

Post

User

foxtrot

Posted: Aug 19th 2010, 09:06 PM

The old story, now with the "range owner" getting a 2 year sentence:
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100730/NEWS02/100730019/Shooting-range-owner-gets-2-years-in-jail

This would be the 750 foot shot through the trees that accidentally killed his neighbor as he was sitting down to dinner.

And the new story, now with a .45ACP supposedly from .4 miles away.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=12981198

Additional information:
"I always thought he was very, very cautious. Probably just a freak thing," Bob Clark said.

Clark lives next door to his cousin, Tracy Stone, 35, on Crown Point Road in Bridport. He is still in shock that his relative and neighbor allegedly fired the shot that nearly killed 76-year-old Peter Damone.

"I just couldn't believe it happened," Clark said. "I heard somebody got hit... that's an awful long distance. I guess accidents happen."

Police say Damone was sitting on the back porch of his home on Swinton Road Friday evening talking on the telephone, when a bullet struck him-- traveling through his hand and into his head where the bullet remains lodged. Family members say Damone is in critical condition and has been in a medically-induced coma since the incident.

"The range is set up so that there is no safe backdrop for the firearm being used," Vt. State Police Sgt. Robert Patten said.

Police say Stone was using a .45 caliber pistol while target shooting in his backyard that evening, when a bullet missed the target, traveled nearly half a mile through a heavily wooded area and struck Damone. He was unaware what had happened until a game warden came to his home half an hour later. The gun has been confiscated and police say Stone has been very cooperative.

"It consisted of two saw horses, a person would shoot from one saw horse down to the second sawhorse, where on the second sawhorse there was an attached target," Patten explained.

Investigators say it will be a few weeks before they decide if charges will be filed. The bullet will be removed from Damone's head later this week. It will then be sent to the state crime lab for ballistics testing to determine if it came from the gun being used for target practice.

"There's been no indication of intent in this matter, but clearly some strong evidence of neglect," Patten said. "There are potential implications for a person who is neglectful."

Authorities say Damone is lucky to be alive and that this case is another prime example that gun owners need to identify all potential risks before pulling the trigger.

Joined:
Location:

Sep 3rd 07
CO US

Room 055

Posted: Aug 19th 2010, 10:31 PM

Makes you wonder about certain people doing 50 caliber Armalite reviews on a short range, doesn't it? Shoot high and utilize a short berm and you have a recipe for disaster.

I have to seriously question the 45ACP shot though. Having done some 100 yard shooting with a 5" barreled 45, the drop at that range was almost 2.5 feet. If the guy fired at a relatively close target, there is no way that bullet maneuvered through trees and then through a wall and into a man sitting .4 mile away. He either shot it up in the sky and mortar'd it in (which it probably wouldn't have any energy left and would be coming down a serious angle), the guy was shooting a rifle and lied, or the cops got the wrong guy. Did the ballistics on the bullet ever come back?

Joined:
Location:

Jan 8th 09
VA US

RockDoctor

Posted: Aug 20th 2010, 10:58 AM

"maneuvered through trees and then through a wall and into a man sitting .4 mile away"

Hummmm, let's see that is approximately 700 yards. At what angle would the firearm be held to follow that trajectory. Maybe its one of those "magic bullets". 2.5 ft/100yds x 700 = 250ft drop

Joined:
Location:

May 10th 09
TX US

John Doe

Posted: Aug 20th 2010, 02:40 PM

Re-read the post, traveled nearly half a mile. 880 yards. I don't think it's possible. The police just want someone to charge so they appear to be doing their jobs. This guy is getting shafted.

Joined:
Location:

Jan 1st 10
MA US

Back to General Discussion

Navigation

Front Page

Forums

Search Forums

Users/Login