Gun control advocates routinely act as if firearms are inherently violent, rather than being inert, morally neutral tools that can be employed for either benign or malevolent purposes. Strangely enough, this fallacy is also commonly found in official reports from law enforcement agencies of incidents involving irresponsible firearms use by officers and media outlets generally retail those official statements without critical commentary.
The Tulsa World newspaper recently republished a statement from the Wagoner County, Oklahoma Sheriffs Office describing how two citizens suffered minor injuries at a local restaurant when a reserve deputys firearm supposedly discharged itself. Michael Witham, the 25-year-old deputy, was eating dinner at the White River Fish Market in Broken Arrow when his Colt Mustang pistol went off on its own accord as he was leaving the restaurant, according to the statement. The round that was fired struck the ground outside the restaurant, throwing up debris that injured two bystanders.
According to the sheriffs office, Witham, an unpaid reserve deputy, has met his state-mandated firearms qualifications and is current with all required training. He has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the department. No mention was made of any potential criminal charges involving the deputys irresponsible discharge of a firearm that resulted in injuries to civilians -- which would certainly be in play if the situation were reversed.
The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office has placed a reserve deputy on administrative leave after his firearm discharged while he was at a Broken Arrow restaurant Thursday.
In a news release, the sheriff's office said as Deputy Michael Witham was leaving the White River Fish Market when his .38-caliber pistol discharged while it was in his right pocket, with the bullet striking the floor.
Broken Arrow police were called to the restaurant.
The sheriff's office says a person standing near Deputy Witham suffered a minor leg injury. That person was checked out by paramedics and released.
The news release states the pistol was in what is called a "pocket holster."
The sheriff's office is conducting an internal investigation of the incident.