TFred
Regular Member
imported post
There's an article in the local paper about an accidental discharge, which apparently resulted in the weapon being confiscated. I took a quick look through the code, but could not find where that is authorized. Anybody know about that? Is this the standard procedure until the case is resolved?
TFred
There's an article in the local paper about an accidental discharge, which apparently resulted in the weapon being confiscated. I took a quick look through the code, but could not find where that is authorized. Anybody know about that? Is this the standard procedure until the case is resolved?
TFred
Stray shot startles teen girl
Police say 14-year-old was lying on her bed when a neighbor accidentally fired a bullet into her room.
Date published: 4/29/2010
BY KEITH EPPS
A Fredericksburg man purchased a gun yesterday, but he didn’t keep it long.
City police confiscated the 9mm handgun after the man accidentally fired a shot into his neighbor’s apartment, startling a 14-year-old girl, authorities say.
Police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said the girl was lying on her bed about 4:20 p.m. at the Commons at Cowan Boulevard next to the police station when she heard a gunshot.
At the same time, a picture hanging on her wall broke. A bullet was later found on her floor next to the wall.
The girl called her father, who immediately called police. The neighbor who fired the shot also called police to report that he had accidentally discharged his gun, Bledsoe said.
Bledsoe said the man had just bought the gun two hours earlier and was trying to clear the chamber when it discharged.
The bullet went through three walls and hit a fourth. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Michael Stroh, 45, was charged with reckless handling of a firearm. He was released on his own recognizance.
Bledsoe said police recommend that anyone who buys a firearm have proper safety training.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
kepps@freelancestar.com
Code of Virginia, § 18.2-56.1. Reckless handling of firearms; reckless handling while huntingPolice say 14-year-old was lying on her bed when a neighbor accidentally fired a bullet into her room.
Date published: 4/29/2010
BY KEITH EPPS
A Fredericksburg man purchased a gun yesterday, but he didn’t keep it long.
City police confiscated the 9mm handgun after the man accidentally fired a shot into his neighbor’s apartment, startling a 14-year-old girl, authorities say.
Police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said the girl was lying on her bed about 4:20 p.m. at the Commons at Cowan Boulevard next to the police station when she heard a gunshot.
At the same time, a picture hanging on her wall broke. A bullet was later found on her floor next to the wall.
The girl called her father, who immediately called police. The neighbor who fired the shot also called police to report that he had accidentally discharged his gun, Bledsoe said.
Bledsoe said the man had just bought the gun two hours earlier and was trying to clear the chamber when it discharged.
The bullet went through three walls and hit a fourth. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Michael Stroh, 45, was charged with reckless handling of a firearm. He was released on his own recognizance.
Bledsoe said police recommend that anyone who buys a firearm have proper safety training.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
kepps@freelancestar.com
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to handle recklessly any firearm so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
B. If this section is violated while the person is engaged in hunting, trapping or pursuing game, the trial judge may, in addition to the penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, revoke such person's hunting or trapping license or privilege to hunt or trap while possessing a firearm for a period of one year to life.
C. Upon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (i) such person's revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person's privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such action.
D. If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and trap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke such person's hunting or trapping license, or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm, for an additional period not to exceed five years. The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as is provided in subsection C herein.
(1977, c. 194; 1985, c. 182; 1991, c. 384.)
C. Upon a revocation pursuant to subsection B hereof, the clerk of the court in which the case is tried pursuant to this section shall forthwith send to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (i) such person's revoked hunting or trapping license or notice that such person's privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and (ii) a notice of the length of revocation imposed. The Department shall keep a list which shall be furnished upon request to any law-enforcement officer, the attorney for the Commonwealth or court in this Commonwealth, and such list shall contain the names and addresses of all persons whose license or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm has been revoked and the court which took such action.
D. If any person whose license to hunt and trap, or whose privilege to hunt and trap while in possession of a firearm, has been revoked pursuant to this section, thereafter hunts or traps while in possession of a firearm, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and, in addition to any penalty imposed by the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, the trial judge may revoke such person's hunting or trapping license, or privilege to hunt or trap while in possession of a firearm, for an additional period not to exceed five years. The clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as is provided in subsection C herein.
(1977, c. 194; 1985, c. 182; 1991, c. 384.)
