Local News
Safety stressed after accidental shooting
By Patrick McCrelessWhen Paul Harper was a boy, he once handed his cousin a 22-caliber rifle without remembering to unload it. The cousin pointed the weapon at Harper’s brother and sister before he aimed it at a nearby television.
The gun fired and the television was destroyed.
“That could have been my sister,” Harper said. “That could have been my brother.”
Harper has not been careless with a gun since.
“The most important thing to gun safety lies right between your ears,” said Harper, owner of Hanceville Gun and Ammo. “I’ve seen people look down into the barrel of their guns. It seems like we lose respect for the gun and treat in carelessly.”
According to Cullman County Police reports, a local 23-year-old man, whose name was not released, accidentally shot and seriously injured himself with a 32-caliber revolver Friday while at home.
“He just dropped it and it went off,” said Capt. Max Bartlett of police department. “He was hit in the chin.”
To Harper, such accidents are tragic but easily avoidable.
“Always treat it (gun) with respect,” Harper said. “It will kill.”
Like Harper, Cullman County Sheriff Tyler Roden considers simple carelessness to be the main cause of firearm accidents.
“Either when handling the gun or cleaning the gun, mistakes have happened,” Roden said. “Don’t take your safety for granted.”
Cullman police firearms instructor Officer Jason Mickle said there are a few simple rules citizens should follow when handling guns.
“Treat all guns as if they are loaded, always keep guns pointed in a safe direction,” Mickle said. “And always be sure of your target, what’s around it and what’s beyond it.”
Mickle added that citizens who own firearms should be proficient with their weapons and take gun safety classes if possible. He said even experienced gun users like police officers can benefit from extra safety training.
“We always stress firearm safety,” Mickle said.
Harper said even if a gun has a safety switch, the owner should not think he or she is completely safe.
“Never ever trust a mechanical safety,” Harper said. “Anything mechanical can fail.”
Harper suggested all gun owners purchase a gun lock to increase their safety.
“I don’t sell a gun that doesn’t have a lock,” Harper said. “When you’re not using a gun, it needs to be locked.”
Roden said gun owners should also keep the safety of their families in mind.
“If you have young kids or grandkids, keep guns in a safe place with perhaps a gun lock on the gun.”
Harper added that ammunition should be hidden in a different location from a gun.
“That will prevent a child from finding the gun and ammunition together and trying to load that ammo,” Harper said.
- Local News
-
-
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Train vs. car, no one injured
Sean Hart, 32, had driven County Road 917 at least a hundred times to reach his Johnson’s Crossing home, but Thursday afternoon was different.
-
Wrong number leads to drug arrest
If you’re calling someone to set up a drug buy, it’s important to make sure you dial the correct number first.
-
Taste of Cullman event raises $8,000
The annual Taste of Cullman event raised approximately $8,000 for the Cullman County United Way Tuesday night.
-
School H1N1 clinics to start Mon.
Local schools will begin hosting free H1N1 swine flu vaccine clinics next week for elementary students.
-
Farm family recognized at annual banquet
Sam and Cynthia Black and family were honored as the 2010 Farm family of the year at the annual Farm-City Banquet Thursday evening at the Cullman Civic Center.
-
Annual Farm-City banquet Thursday at Cullman Civic Center
The Farm-City Banquet will be Thursday at the Cullman Civic Center at 6:30 p.m.
-
Commissioner takes Smith Lake water proposal to town council
County commissioner Wayne Willingham addressed West Point’s town council Monday evening regarding the county’s proposed Smith Lake water project.
-
LePard trial pushed to Dec.
The trial for Derrick LePard, a former Cold Springs teacher accused of extortion and attempting to produce obscene matter of a child, should move forward in early December.
-
County commission not satisfied with city Duck River contract
The Cullman County Commission will not sign onto the city’s Duck River water plan until certain aspects of the project contract are addressed.
- More Local News Headlines
-

