Del. Jack Reid is an Asshole

Seriously,

I am sure I probably support Del. Reid (R-Henrico) on most issues - and am thrilled to find out he has a concealed carry permit and takes advantage of the law by carrying it to the assembly building, but he ought to realize that when you carry a firearm you take on significant responsibilities.

One of which is not to discharge it unless your life is threatened or you are at an appropriate firing range.

Not surprisingly, his office in the state house is not an appropriate firing range.

Reid said he has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon and regularly brings his gun to the legislative session. But he said he usually ejects the cartridge that holds the gun's bullets and carries that separately in his pocket.

As he was doing that Thursday morning at about 9:15, he said, the gun went off. At that time, the nine-story General Assembly building was filled with lawmakers conducting committee meetings and lobbyists, citizens and reporters.

If your gonna carry your gun, carry your gun. Why did he feel the need to disarm and how did the gun discharge unless his finger was on the trigger.

Perhaps he needs to be reminded of the 4 laws again (especially number 3).

1. Treat All Firearms As Loaded
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it

Luckily, he happened to have a bullet proof vest hanging on the wall and greater tragedy was averted. Though, I suspect the gun banning bigots will have a field day with this one. Thank god it was one of the protected class doing the firing, and not your average VCDL citizen.

UPDATE According to the VCDL, he was carrying a .380 KelTec. If thats the case, I can understand the difficulty unloading it as I've always found my father in laws rather difficult to clear. Still, it begs the question of why he was unloading it to begin with. If your gonna carry it, carry it. Phil Van Cleave is doing a great job of turning this lemon into lemonade by using it to showcase why the Restaurant Ban is so dangerous and needs to be overturned.