Tuesday night, a man accidentally shot himself, in the buttocks, at the Sparks Century Theatres. The man does have a concealed carry permit. Anyone that wants to carry a concealed weapon has to take a class and pass a test, before they can even turn in the application to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.
"Carrying a firearm is something serious," Deputy Armando Avina said. "People need to understand the risks involved and also the safety measures involved."
If the permit is granted, experts say gun safety is still the number one priority. Jim Harwin is the GM at Safe Shot Indoor Range and has his permit to carry a concealed weapon. He also sells guns and teaches classes on using them, saying when people buy guns from him, safety is their biggest concern.
"This is a major safety feature that's built into all these firearms that they can be dropped and not go off," Harwin said.
That's why he is surprised by last night's incident, at the Sparks Century Theatres. Sparks Police say the 56-year-old Sparks man adjusted himself in his seat, causing his gun to fall onto the floor, and fire. The man got up, apologized, and went to a hospital.
"It takes pulling the trigger to make a gun go off, most of the time, and that's not an accidental move," Harwin said. "That's an intentional move."
Classes to get a concealed-carry permit last eight hours, covering a lot of details.
"Everything about how to shoot the gun, how to clean the gun, how to handle the gun, all of the laws that pertain to guns and the State of Nevada," Harwin said.
This permit allows you to carry a weapon in public, but not places like government buildings, airports, and schools. Century Theatres has signs prohibiting firearms, so they can ask anyone to leave if they have a weapon or face trespassing charges. Using various safety features could have prevented last night's shooting. Safety, combined with common sense and education, is what Harwin says leads to responsible gun ownership.
"Practice with your gun, practice with your gun, practice with your gun," Harwin said. "Become intimately close with that dangerous weapon so you know how to use it and you know when to use it."
Last night's victim will not be charged with carrying a gun into the movie theater but he could face a fine of $1,000 or 6 months in jail for negligent discharge of a firearm.
Written by Paul Nelson
