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warrior1

(12,325 posts)
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 06:58 PM Apr 2013

Wife accidentally kills husband during gun lesson

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/28/17959498-wife-accidentally-kills-husband-during-gun-lesson-police?lite

A fun night for a Pennsylvania couple turned deadly after police say the woman accidentally shot and killed her husband.

On Friday, around 9 p.m., police say Michael Wanko, 43, and Michele Wanko, 42, were “casually drinking” vodka and lemonade together inside their home on West Roland Road in Parkside, Penn. Around 3:30 a.m., police say the couple went into their basement so that Michael could show his wife how to use a semiautomatic pistol. The couple went into a work room where several weapons were kept inside a safe.

“He took several of the weapons out, handguns and was demonstrating to her how the weapon worked as far as taking the magazine out, making sure it was safe, and how to pull the slide back,” said Parkside Police Chief John Egan.


As Michael reached into a safe to grab a gun, police say Michele picked up another gun and pulled the slide back, just as her husband had instructed her. “When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off,” said Chief Egan.

snip

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Wife accidentally kills husband during gun lesson (Original Post) warrior1 Apr 2013 OP
Thaaaaaat's a shame alcibiades_mystery Apr 2013 #1
This message was self-deleted by its author Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #105
this story stinks to high heaven warrior1 Apr 2013 #2
Not very responsible... cyberswede Apr 2013 #48
Right! brush Apr 2013 #66
let's get the guns out at 3 am after a drinking binge arely staircase Apr 2013 #78
Yep customerserviceguy Apr 2013 #114
Or irrelevancies. LanternWaste Apr 2013 #127
Who said anything about banning handguns? nt EOTE Apr 2013 #130
Isn't that why customerserviceguy Apr 2013 #169
Nope, not at all. EOTE Apr 2013 #170
What law are you going to pass customerserviceguy May 2013 #172
How about passing a law that makes it so stupid, drunk people EOTE May 2013 #173
Intelligence tests for gun ownership, eh? customerserviceguy May 2013 #174
Intelligence is not the same thing as mental health EOTE May 2013 #175
+1 Union Scribe Apr 2013 #118
There is something fishy about this. HappyMe Apr 2013 #125
Yep, guns really keep people safe and save lives. Especially after hours of casually drinking vodka appleannie1 Apr 2013 #3
This is not a shame.... Swede Atlanta Apr 2013 #4
I would expect empathy from a Democrat. nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #83
This message was self-deleted by its author Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #106
Doesn't sound like she was much of a gun lover. Captain Stern Apr 2013 #122
Darwinism, hard at work. Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #5
What could possibly go wrong? BeyondGeography Apr 2013 #6
Alcohol and guns....Oy nadinbrzezinski Apr 2013 #7
Six and a half hours of alcohol... FarCenter Apr 2013 #14
Yet, some states thinks guns should be allowed in BARS? HockeyMom Apr 2013 #33
Not everyone in a bar goes there to drink kudzu22 Apr 2013 #76
Right, they go there to read the articles in Playboy. yellowcanine Apr 2013 #148
Pool tables. Darts. Cards. Music. Business. ieoeja Apr 2013 #157
Bars are perfect places for AA meetings. Progressive dog May 2013 #176
Not only does Darwin win so do the statistics! enjoyingyourpeasyet Apr 2013 #8
So Guns Do Kill People otohara Apr 2013 #9
If you actually believe her story. Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #97
This is not a public safety issue FarCenter Apr 2013 #10
Yes. Thank God the safety of the public Crunchy Frog Apr 2013 #13
LOL. Crunchy Frog Apr 2013 #11
What do you think you know that nobody Jenoch Apr 2013 #34
Maybe this. Iggo Apr 2013 #40
What they were doing was Jenoch Apr 2013 #44
I've never heard of a real gun safety training class where instructor and students are liquored Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #98
I hope you don't expect compassion when you die. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #107
Because gun nuts exhibt so much compassion for victims of gun violence, right? baldguy Apr 2013 #124
I pride myself on being as little like them as possible. EOTE Apr 2013 #132
Horrible etherealtruth Apr 2013 #12
A gun lesson, at 3:30am?! reformist2 Apr 2013 #15
Bad headline. Brickbat Apr 2013 #16
Yeah, you read the headline and wonder how it went wrong.. Cha Apr 2013 #80
Heh jollyreaper2112 Apr 2013 #17
I suspect they thought they were responsible gun owners, right up till they weren't. Hoyt Apr 2013 #19
Exactly jollyreaper2112 Apr 2013 #24
I'm sorry about your hand. Chellee Apr 2013 #31
Heh jollyreaper2112 Apr 2013 #32
+1000. Pro-gunners like to claim that... Beartracks Apr 2013 #55
The problem is Shadowflash Apr 2013 #145
The difference between "responsible gun owners" and this couple was a bottle of scotch. Marr Apr 2013 #150
Reportedly, they were drinking vodka and lemonade. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #155
Another fine example of why we need more guns in more places. Hoyt Apr 2013 #18
Damn you autocorrect!!...nt SidDithers Apr 2013 #134
Really. Posting on my phone is dangerous. Hoyt Apr 2013 #135
Six hours of foreplay before the act. TheCowsCameHome Apr 2013 #20
Too bad he didn't have a gun so he could protect himself. Happyhippychick Apr 2013 #21
glad nobody who had no involvement in this crap were killed JI7 Apr 2013 #22
Yep. How would you like to live in a thin-walled apartment adjacent to such yahoos. Hoyt Apr 2013 #37
good grief PD Turk Apr 2013 #23
Oh yeah marions ghost Apr 2013 #27
the story about why the gun went off is bullshit nt PD Turk Apr 2013 #29
We don't know anything marions ghost Apr 2013 #36
I will PD Turk Apr 2013 #41
They were drunk and she was a novice marions ghost Apr 2013 #56
"Police had been called to the couple's house just once, a year ago, for a domestic argument, but by AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #57
hmmm PD Turk Apr 2013 #65
You left out the argument. Why was it bullshit? nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #84
because PD Turk Apr 2013 #86
But of course. "Normally" when sober people are pulling the slide back and releasing it rhett o rick Apr 2013 #87
what I meant was PD Turk Apr 2013 #88
Yeah. We all know that. What's your point? nm rhett o rick Apr 2013 #90
my point is PD Turk Apr 2013 #92
The evidence is right there for all to see. Threedifferentones Apr 2013 #117
I don't know what happened, but I can see this happening.. pipoman Apr 2013 #64
What leaps to my mind sarisataka Apr 2013 #67
so PD Turk Apr 2013 #68
That's why semi-autos need to be restricted. Even "experts" screw up with the dang things. Hoyt Apr 2013 #136
Good luck with that.. pipoman Apr 2013 #137
Oh, I know the whining from gun nuts would be deafening. Hoyt Apr 2013 #138
Not to mention SCOTUS, the ACLU, most LEOs...etc.. pipoman Apr 2013 #139
I was skeptical too. But see the video at #85. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #89
I'll be damned PD Turk Apr 2013 #91
Without the video, I wouldn't have believed it. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #96
Hey, can you guys tell me what that loser is doing. Do gunners call that training for self-defense? Hoyt Apr 2013 #149
Whatever the shooter is doing, he's not engaging in mindless name-calling. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #151
Sorry, we need to label folks using guns for such crap what the are. I was generous. Hoyt Apr 2013 #153
Ah, you are so persuasive. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #154
Waste of time trying to persuade those who are irrational over their guns. Hoyt Apr 2013 #156
Lesson #1 -- guns and alcohol do not mix kudzu22 Apr 2013 #25
Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #53
I hope you are not armed. PeaceNikki Apr 2013 #61
How about no... sarisataka Apr 2013 #62
You need to go over to the Gungeon and register as a life time member! Walk away Apr 2013 #63
You have no idea what you are talking about.. Jenoch Apr 2013 #73
Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #79
Remind me never to go shooting with you kudzu22 Apr 2013 #100
Actually no, I don't drink and drive because I am not a moron.... Walk away Apr 2013 #115
yup.... 'Guns and alcohol: Gun owners drink more and take more risks, study says' PeaceNikki Apr 2013 #121
You should have your own thread for this info! + 1,000.000! Walk away Apr 2013 #161
If you handle, carry, or shoot while even slightly inebriated, you are a danger to others as well Ikonoklast Apr 2013 #71
Alcohol leads to stupidity and negligence kudzu22 Apr 2013 #72
After the ammo is locked up, the guns are stripped and soaking in Hoppe's, then maybe sir pball Apr 2013 #99
Here is a case where everyone had a gun. liberal N proud Apr 2013 #26
Yet another responsible gun owner. SheilaT Apr 2013 #28
Thankfully, no holy guns were harmed. jpak Apr 2013 #30
This story is utterly worthless TheCowsCameHome Apr 2013 #35
LMAO. Hoyt Apr 2013 #38
Every day I look for a hilarious post on DU mokawanis Apr 2013 #77
The gun could be a member of a cell of sleeper guns, just waiting for a chance Coyotl Apr 2013 #81
Yep, and we need pictures of guns too. nevergiveup Apr 2013 #82
LOL Skittles Apr 2013 #95
Bullseye. Many thanks. (nt) Paladin Apr 2013 #116
LOL! nt laundry_queen Apr 2013 #123
Hold muh beer, honey bunny mwrguy Apr 2013 #39
She almost had to have the trigger depressed ileus Apr 2013 #42
No joke. More to point, neither should have owned a gun, certainly not a semi-auto. Hoyt Apr 2013 #133
And the fact is the vast majority of us DO handle guns properly. Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #140
You guys don't handle them well enough. Hoyt Apr 2013 #142
Which means what, exactly? Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #143
Which means what, exactly? Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #166
Most people who drink and drive don't kill someone either but.... Walk away Apr 2013 #162
Your post makes ZERO sense. Common Sense Party Apr 2013 #165
Of course guns and Jenoch Apr 2013 #43
He died doing what he loved. Crunchy Frog Apr 2013 #50
"He died doing what he loved." Jenoch Apr 2013 #51
It's pretty evident that he loved playing with guns Crunchy Frog Apr 2013 #160
The load of crap is the sentiment Jenoch Apr 2013 #163
Vodka and guns. What could possibly go wrong? nt Locut0s Apr 2013 #45
“When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off," - Bullshit. Gravitycollapse Apr 2013 #46
It does happen kudzu22 Apr 2013 #74
The odds of the slide actuation causing a discharge are extremely rare. Gravitycollapse Apr 2013 #75
NOT pushing the trigger is harder for a beginner ecstatic Apr 2013 #94
Here's an odd one with a Glock. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #85
After "casually drinking vodka" for awhile, perhaps she got some of the details wrong BlueStreak Apr 2013 #101
But...but... that's unpossible! They were obviously responsible gun owners! baldguy Apr 2013 #47
If you're going to drink, lock up the guns treestar Apr 2013 #49
The guns were locked up. Maybe some other than an idiot should have had the keys to the safe. bluestate10 Apr 2013 #59
Oh good grief treestar Apr 2013 #141
These are the NRA's "responsible gun owners." alarimer Apr 2013 #52
Sad. Reminds me of Mike Royko's regular feature caraher Apr 2013 #54
The 2nd Amendment needs to be removed. Apophis Apr 2013 #58
Indeed, a lesson was learned. Robb Apr 2013 #60
"I can't believe you shot me," he said jsr Apr 2013 #69
Wanko? Seriously? MADem Apr 2013 #102
yeah, I was sympathetic until I read the name iwillalwayswonderwhy Apr 2013 #111
The Wanko's get tanked and play guns ... Historic NY Apr 2013 #70
Heh heh, at least that's what she said. moondust Apr 2013 #93
I wonder what tomorrow's gun lesson will be. rightsideout Apr 2013 #103
If you can, compare the famous Hemingway story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." dimbear Apr 2013 #104
Bookmarking this thread for use next time someone claims most DUers are compassionate or decent. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #108
And yet you're still here Fumesucker Apr 2013 #110
Really? Shame on us? iwillalwayswonderwhy Apr 2013 #113
I'm just glad they didn't kill anyone else. laundry_queen Apr 2013 #126
Gunfucker gets drunk and dies playing with his toys. Iggo Apr 2013 #120
"A fun night?" Sounds like the 51st way to leave your lover. DFW Apr 2013 #109
Flame me Carolina Apr 2013 #112
Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #119
Christ, how cruel. EOTE Apr 2013 #128
Classy thread, guys. nt Union Scribe Apr 2013 #129
I imagine they will allow your sentiment all the attention it indeed warrants... LanternWaste Apr 2013 #131
What better time to give a gun lesson than when both people are half in the bag? Ganja Ninja Apr 2013 #144
let me remember - oh yeah - gun in the house rurallib Apr 2013 #146
Gun "lesson" at 3:30 am after night of drinking vodka? yellowcanine Apr 2013 #147
Responsible gun owners don't drink first then go play with their guns AndyA Apr 2013 #152
That's what they all say. (I live here; the abbreviation is not "PENN."!!!! It is "PA." TY.) WinkyDink Apr 2013 #158
Hmmmmmm. and that's all I'm gonna say. nt. polly7 Apr 2013 #159
“When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off” Lizzie Poppet Apr 2013 #164
Since the guy died, wouldn't HappyMe Apr 2013 #167
I'd assume so. Lizzie Poppet Apr 2013 #168
I suspect also poor "don't point the gun at someone" discipline JHB Apr 2013 #171
My schedule at 3 AM is different sellitman May 2013 #177

Response to alcibiades_mystery (Reply #1)

warrior1

(12,325 posts)
2. this story stinks to high heaven
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:01 PM
Apr 2013

they started drinking at 9pm and then a 3am he decided to show his wife how to use a pistol.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
114. Yep
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:26 AM
Apr 2013

This is just as much reason to ban alcohol as it is to ban handguns. In other words, no reason at all. Might as well try to ban stupidity.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
169. Isn't that why
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 07:10 AM
Apr 2013

all these "see what bad things happen with guns" stories get posted in the first place?

EOTE

(13,409 posts)
170. Nope, not at all.
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 10:08 AM
Apr 2013

These are posted to show how incredibly idiotic gun nuts are when they oppose every single piece of common sense gun legislation that's proposed. Let me clue you into something: Making it so that every idiot or maniac that wants one can't easily obtain pretty much any weapon he wants at a gun show without a background check is not "banning guns". Putting restrictions on unlimited capacity magazines is not "banning guns". Comprende?

EOTE

(13,409 posts)
173. How about passing a law that makes it so stupid, drunk people
Wed May 1, 2013, 09:48 AM
May 2013

who would play with their guns at 3 AM, you know, COULDN'T GET GUNS IN THE FIRST PLACE? Or are you suggesting that there should be no laws with regard to mental fitness as it pertains to gun ownership?

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
174. Intelligence tests for gun ownership, eh?
Wed May 1, 2013, 10:23 PM
May 2013

Might be worth a try, but you'll never get it past any legislature. Besides, I'd be willing to bet that these two could have passed such a test while stone-cold sober.

I'm all for loading up databases with names of people with mental fitness problems, but that puts me at odds with the "privacy" folks on this forum.

EOTE

(13,409 posts)
175. Intelligence is not the same thing as mental health
Thu May 2, 2013, 06:56 AM
May 2013

There are plenty of intelligent people who belong nowhere near a gun. Sensible gun legislation is all about making sure that the people who are most dangerous to the public with weapons are less likely to obtain them.

 

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
4. This is not a shame....
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:04 PM
Apr 2013

This demonstrates how ignorance begets violence. They were drinking a lot of alcohol and then decided to pull out the firearms. They were stupid. As we all know, the presence of guns does not increase security, it diminishes it.

I am sorry for this loss but it demonstrates how people need to treat firearms with the same focus and respect as they would say a car (subject to DUI, etc.), a nuclear weapon, etc.

These people appear to have been hicks who drank too much and loved their guns. The outcome reflects the fallacy of their beliefs.

Response to Swede Atlanta (Reply #4)

Captain Stern

(2,197 posts)
122. Doesn't sound like she was much of a gun lover.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 08:47 AM
Apr 2013

She was 42 years old, and was just now having her husband teach her how to operate one. (if that's to be believed)

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
14. Six and a half hours of alcohol...
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:47 PM
Apr 2013

They started with the lemonade and vodka at 9:00 pm and the shooting occured at 3:30 am.

 

HockeyMom

(14,337 posts)
33. Yet, some states thinks guns should be allowed in BARS?
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:18 PM
Apr 2013

They need some serious history lessons on that one.

kudzu22

(1,273 posts)
76. Not everyone in a bar goes there to drink
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:52 PM
Apr 2013

There are plenty of good restaurants that are technically bars in the eyes of the law. I wouldn't drink and carry any more readily than I would drink and drive.

 

ieoeja

(9,748 posts)
157. Pool tables. Darts. Cards. Music. Business.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:23 PM
Apr 2013

Lots of people go to bars for reasons other than drinking. In fact, I hung out in bars for years before I started drinking. My dad would hang out in a bar all day long drinking coffee, playing cards, occasionally conducting business and just plain socializing. Bartendars at the place I stopped hanging out at recently hate working Sunday nights because they have open mic jazz that night and most of the performers don't drink.

It is not at all unusual to see non-drinkers in a bar.

And for the record, Playboy has an excellant reputation for their articles. Everyone likes to make fun of that fact, but that doesn't mean it is not true.


 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
10. This is not a public safety issue
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:23 PM
Apr 2013

Basement walls should protect the public.

Actually, some percentage of hunting accidents and gun accidents are actually murders and suicides, e.g. the cop cleaning his service revolver which accidently discharged killing him, might actually be a suicide.

Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
13. Yes. Thank God the safety of the public
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:45 PM
Apr 2013

wasn't endangered in this escapade. They at least had the decency to keep it in the family.

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
34. What do you think you know that nobody
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:19 PM
Apr 2013

else knows? There is no mention of gun safety training in the story.

Iggo

(47,489 posts)
40. Maybe this.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:26 PM
Apr 2013

"...demonstrating to her how the weapon worked as far as taking the magazine out, making sure it was safe..."

Common Sense Party

(14,139 posts)
98. I've never heard of a real gun safety training class where instructor and students are liquored
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:12 AM
Apr 2013

up and wasted after 6.5 hours of boozing.

Have you?

EOTE

(13,409 posts)
132. I pride myself on being as little like them as possible.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:19 AM
Apr 2013

When gun nuts act like reprehensible assholes, that doesn't encourage me to do the same.

etherealtruth

(22,165 posts)
12. Horrible
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:43 PM
Apr 2013

Though I am what the gun enthusiasts like to call a "gun grabber" I find it very disturbing when one of their ranks is needlessly killed by guns.

This is sad and disturbing

Brickbat

(19,339 posts)
16. Bad headline.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:48 PM
Apr 2013

The gun lesson wasn't the problem. The drinking and fatigue was. Can't rule out stupidity, either, for that matter.

Cha

(295,929 posts)
80. Yeah, you read the headline and wonder how it went wrong..
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:05 PM
Apr 2013

and then you see all about the vodka that was consumed until 3amish.

A better headline.. "Alcohol soaked gun lesson leads to husband's demise."

It's terribly sad.

jollyreaper2112

(1,941 posts)
17. Heh
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:48 PM
Apr 2013

Responsible gun owners don't scare me. People like this do. Dangerous tools! Show some fucking respect.

jollyreaper2112

(1,941 posts)
24. Exactly
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:00 PM
Apr 2013

That's the real problem, isn't it? Everyone thinks its the other guy giving the rest of us a bad name.

I'm sitting here with a lacerated thumb because I am evidently too incompetent to pick up a glass promptly. Shattered in my hand, no collision or anything, just stuck to wood. Picked it up and it shattered.

If I can't even handle glassware without a trip to the ER, I have no business being around guns so I avoid them.

jollyreaper2112

(1,941 posts)
32. Heh
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:16 PM
Apr 2013

Thanks I am on the mend. The shape of my thumb was different after the cut. It is filling in nicely. I thought I was going to be permanently maimed. This is the stuff people do drunk and I was sober!

Beartracks

(12,761 posts)
55. +1000. Pro-gunners like to claim that...
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:09 PM
Apr 2013

... gun restrictions will only interfere with the firearm purchases of law-abiding citizens -- but they just don't grasp that many, many unfortunate domestic violence and accidental shootings occur at the hands of gun-owners who WERE law-abiding citizens right up until they BECAME criminals (through either intent or negligence).

I guess it could be said that guns don't kill people, but they have a nasty habit of making people into criminals and statistics.

=================

 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
155. Reportedly, they were drinking vodka and lemonade.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:30 AM
Apr 2013

How drunk would somebody have to get to drink that?

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
23. good grief
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 07:59 PM
Apr 2013

First off, drinking and fooling around with guns is always a bad idea, when you unlock the liquor cabinet, lock up the damn gun cabinet and leave it locked.

Secondly, this statement stinks to high heaven , “When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off,”. The gun should be carefully examined by an expert gunsmith, and absent a finding of a malfunctioning weapon, she should be charged with the murder of her husband. Simply pulling the slide back and letting it go does NOT discharge a round from a normally functioning pistol.

marions ghost

(19,841 posts)
27. Oh yeah
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:09 PM
Apr 2013

charge her with murder ? More evidence maybe?

So many accidental gun deaths. Goes on all the time.

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
41. I will
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:27 PM
Apr 2013

I find her description of how it happened much more than suspicious. The simple act of charging the weapon should never produce a discharge, even if she had her finger on the trigger when she pulled the slide, in a normally functioning modern pistol she wold have had to release the trigger and squeeze it again before the weapon would fire. This case bears very close scrutiny at the least

marions ghost

(19,841 posts)
56. They were drunk and she was a novice
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:13 PM
Apr 2013

so she might have goofed. This is why I say guns are not for everybody. A lot of people just don't have what it takes to handle them.

If she's kinda distressed over killing her husband it might be an indicator? but I'm sure there will be scrutiny.

 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
57. "Police had been called to the couple's house just once, a year ago, for a domestic argument, but by
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:13 PM
Apr 2013

the time they arrived on scene Michele Wanko begged the cops to let her husband stay."
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/delco/Cops-Woman-kills-husband-during-drunken-gun-lesson.html

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
65. hmmm
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:00 PM
Apr 2013

seems there could be a whole lot more to this story than what we are being told. If there is nothing wrong with the gun, she's not helping herself by lying about how it discharged.

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
86. because
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:15 PM
Apr 2013

with a normally operating semi auto pistol, simply charging the weapon will not set off a round

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
87. But of course. "Normally" when sober people are pulling the slide back and releasing it
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:23 PM
Apr 2013

the gun wont discharge. But these were not normal circumstances, so what's your point? My father in law shot a hole in his furnace with an unloaded gun.

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
88. what I meant was
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:26 PM
Apr 2013

and I explained it in my post upthread, is if the gun doesn't have a mechanical defect causing it to malfunction, simply pulling and releasing the slide, charging the weapon will not set off a round.

Threedifferentones

(1,070 posts)
117. The evidence is right there for all to see.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:45 AM
Apr 2013

As the other poster said, guns do not discharge by pulling back the slide. If no flaw in the gun can be found, if this accident cannot be replicated, that is really suspicious.

Even worse, she had this weapon pointed at her husbands upper body so that a single shot would prove rapidly fatal. Even if she did not intend to fire the weapon, why did she have it pointed at her husband?

Finally, while accidental shootings are obviously quite common, they are also frequently lies, especially when read in the news.

Think about it. Stats show that for the roughly 30k gun deaths annually in the USA, 20k are suicides. How many families will lie to the media and say a suicide was an accident?

If a person cannot lie about having shot someone, but they do not want to get charged with murder, they will probably say it was an accident. It makes sense and undoubtedly goes on all the time.

 

pipoman

(16,038 posts)
64. I don't know what happened, but I can see this happening..
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:00 PM
Apr 2013

some pistols incorporate a slide lock into the safety. To pull the slide back the safety has to be off. A novice or careless person may have their finger on the trigger when trying to pull the slide back. The slide pulls more firmly than a novice may expect, which may cause them to squeeze the hand holding the grip. The magazine has a round in it. The slide is released and when it slams shut, the hammer drops and fires the round..It is plausible..too early to tell if her intentions were nefarious..

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
68. so
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:16 PM
Apr 2013

you think she squeezed the trigger while pulling the slide? What kind of pistol would fire like that? I don't have any late model stuff but my old straight grip 1911 won't, would have to release the trigger and squeeze it again to get it to fire.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
136. That's why semi-autos need to be restricted. Even "experts" screw up with the dang things.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:36 AM
Apr 2013

PD Turk

(1,289 posts)
91. I'll be damned
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:42 PM
Apr 2013

I went out back to my pistol trap earlier with my old straight grip 1911 and my old Hi-Power and tried every which way I could to make it slam fire and couldn't do it. The 1911 was made around 1920 and the Hi-Power was made around 1938 iirc. I've never had a problem with them doing it so I have a hard time picturing a modern piece going off like that

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
149. Hey, can you guys tell me what that loser is doing. Do gunners call that training for self-defense?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:05 AM
Apr 2013

If so, against what?
 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
151. Whatever the shooter is doing, he's not engaging in mindless name-calling.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:16 AM
Apr 2013

IMO, repeatedly engaging in mindless name-calling undermines the alleged goal of seeking to solve certain gun-related deaths.

You guys are the "good guys?" That's your real goal? I don't believe it for a minute.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
156. Waste of time trying to persuade those who are irrational over their guns.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:32 AM
Apr 2013

Fortunately, most folks -- even gun owners -- know this lethal weapons love has gotten out of hand.

Response to kudzu22 (Reply #25)

PeaceNikki

(27,985 posts)
61. I hope you are not armed.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:22 PM
Apr 2013

Guns and alcohol are always stupid and if you don't think so, Obama should confiscate your guns himself.

sarisataka

(18,220 posts)
62. How about no...
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:49 PM
Apr 2013

Does no work for you?

A person who is using, carrying or otherwise around firearms should have as much alcohol as a surgeon in the OR.
Absolutely none is a very good upper limit.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
63. You need to go over to the Gungeon and register as a life time member!
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:56 PM
Apr 2013

You are going to fit in like a crazy person in an asylum!

"guns and alcohol mix fine!!!!"

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
73. You have no idea what you are talking about..
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:46 PM
Apr 2013

The people in the 'gungeon' are universally against mixing liquor and guns.

Response to Walk away (Reply #63)

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
115. Actually no, I don't drink and drive because I am not a moron....
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:33 AM
Apr 2013

You really shine a light on why guns are so dangerous. I'm sure people like you make up a hefty chunk of gun owners.

PeaceNikki

(27,985 posts)
121. yup.... 'Guns and alcohol: Gun owners drink more and take more risks, study says'
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 08:44 AM
Apr 2013
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/16/news/la-heb-guns-alcohol-gunowners-risk-taking-20110615

Gun owners: Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger. I must warn you, though, that the findings on gun ownership and risky alcohol behaviors published this week in the British Medical Journal do not paint an altogether flattering picture.

You're twice as likely as people who do not have a gun at home to down five or more drinks in a single sitting. You're almost two-and-a-half times more likely than people who do not have a gun at home to get behind the wheel of a car when you have, by your own admission, drunk "perhaps too much." And you were just a little less likely than that (2.39 times as likely to be exact) to consume 60 or more drinks per month.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
71. If you handle, carry, or shoot while even slightly inebriated, you are a danger to others as well
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:34 PM
Apr 2013

as yourself.

I guess you either never went to a gun safety course, or if you did, slept through it.

You should not be allowed to ever handle a firearm, you are a deadly gunshot statistic waiting to be recorded.

There is no safe level of inebriation while handling a dangerous weapon, ZERO.

There is no 'moderation'. The only correct BA level when handling a deadly weapon is 0.00, period.

I bet you think you drive better with a slight 'buzz' on, too.



And this, folks, is just another reason why I am against 'law-abiding gun owners' to carry in public, lots of the same attitude among gun owners similar to this.

sir pball

(4,726 posts)
99. After the ammo is locked up, the guns are stripped and soaking in Hoppe's, then maybe
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:20 AM
Apr 2013

I'll confess to a Manhattan while I wait for the solvent to work.

But until the weapons are literally lying on the table in pieces, no such thing as "moderation". It's one of the few zero-tolerance policies I have.

TheCowsCameHome

(40,163 posts)
35. This story is utterly worthless
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:20 PM
Apr 2013

without knowing the make, model, caliber, serial number, color, age, origin, and mental history of the gun.

Send it over the the DU Gungeon for a complete analysis.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
133. No joke. More to point, neither should have owned a gun, certainly not a semi-auto.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:33 AM
Apr 2013

They should not have been handling guns while drinking, and more. But fact is, many gun owners do not handle guns properly, even many so-called responsible, experts.

Common Sense Party

(14,139 posts)
140. And the fact is the vast majority of us DO handle guns properly.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:16 AM
Apr 2013

And it just aggravates you to no end, I'm sure.

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
162. Most people who drink and drive don't kill someone either but....
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:03 PM
Apr 2013

no one is stupid enough to advocate people drinking alcohol and driving (except that gun lover up thread). Why do you always have to use NRA "Gun Non-Logic". It must sound convincing to you but to people who can count the carnage, it just sounds like desperate nonsense.

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
43. Of course guns and
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:32 PM
Apr 2013

alcohol do not mix. What I find appalling is what apoears to be a lack of compassion for this family from the majority of people who have so far posted on this thread.

Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
50. He died doing what he loved.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:55 PM
Apr 2013

Given that we all have to die, I don't see anything particularly tragic about the means.

Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
160. It's pretty evident that he loved playing with guns
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:33 PM
Apr 2013

and drinking. And he died doing it. Where's the load of crap?

 

Jenoch

(7,720 posts)
163. The load of crap is the sentiment
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:20 PM
Apr 2013

that phrase implies. This guy had two young children. This is a tragedy and nit something to make light of. Sure this couple exercised poor judgement. That is no reason to take glee in this incident as have some of the people posting on this thread.

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
46. “When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off," - Bullshit.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:40 PM
Apr 2013

Something else happened. And it almost certainly involved the alcohol.

kudzu22

(1,273 posts)
74. It does happen
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:47 PM
Apr 2013

it's called a slamfire, and closing the slide can fire a round if the firing pin is stuck (or if you have your finger on the trigger). This is why you follow rule #1 -- never point the gun at anything you don't want to make a hole in.

Gravitycollapse

(8,155 posts)
75. The odds of the slide actuation causing a discharge are extremely rare.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:51 PM
Apr 2013

Much, much rarer than the odds of alcohol making this woman do something stupid. Like pulling the trigger.

ecstatic

(32,567 posts)
94. NOT pushing the trigger is harder for a beginner
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 11:48 PM
Apr 2013

Isn't it? The blame lies with the so called experienced gun owner. But at the end of the day, it probably was just his time to go.

 

BlueStreak

(8,377 posts)
101. After "casually drinking vodka" for awhile, perhaps she got some of the details wrong
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:40 AM
Apr 2013

You can't blame her. If you want to blame somebody, blame Darwin.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
49. If you're going to drink, lock up the guns
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 08:48 PM
Apr 2013

"If you like to a drink old whisky, you might even a shoot yourself," Lynyrd Skynrd

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
59. The guns were locked up. Maybe some other than an idiot should have had the keys to the safe.
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:17 PM
Apr 2013

Darwinism at it's finest.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
141. Oh good grief
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:16 AM
Apr 2013

Not drunk enough to be unable to unlock the cabinet with the guns in it, but apparently drunk enough to cause a shot! And she is a stay at home mom, so he already procreated!

caraher

(6,276 posts)
54. Sad. Reminds me of Mike Royko's regular feature
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 09:06 PM
Apr 2013

His annual "Gun Owner of the Year" column was the "Darwin Awards" of firearms, before there were Darwin awards.

jsr

(7,712 posts)
69. "I can't believe you shot me," he said
Sun Apr 28, 2013, 10:23 PM
Apr 2013
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/delco/Cops-Woman-kills-husband-during-drunken-gun-lesson.html

Wanko's wife, Michele, 42, told police that she and her husband began drinking lemonade and vodka around 9 p.m. Friday and about six hours in to the drinking session Michele Wanko, a stay-at-home mom, told her husband she wanted to learn how to use a weapon in case someone tried to break in to their home while he was away, Egan said.

William Wanko took out several weapons he had in a locked safe in the couple's basement and was showing his wife how to properly use them, according to police. As he was getting another gun out of the safe, Michele Wanko allegedly picked up a semi-automatic pistol, pulled the slide back as her husband had showed her and the gun went off, striking William Wanko.

"He was able to say, according to her, 'I can't believe you shot me,'" Egan said.

William Wanko then tried to run up the basement steps but fell back down, police said. Michele Wanko called 911.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)
104. If you can, compare the famous Hemingway story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber."
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:58 AM
Apr 2013

One of his best.

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)
108. Bookmarking this thread for use next time someone claims most DUers are compassionate or decent.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:26 AM
Apr 2013

Anyone who can read the responses here without being sickened, infuriated and ashamed to be a DUer is a truly wretched human being.

iwillalwayswonderwhy

(2,598 posts)
113. Really? Shame on us?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 06:56 AM
Apr 2013

Sorry, but I just can't seem to muster up much compassion for drunks playing with guns. At best, I just think to myself "what a stupid way to die."

laundry_queen

(8,646 posts)
126. I'm just glad they didn't kill anyone else.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:05 AM
Apr 2013

Not much compassion for the stupid here - just relief they didn't bring someone innocent down with them.

DFW

(54,057 posts)
109. "A fun night?" Sounds like the 51st way to leave your lover.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 05:07 AM
Apr 2013

Or maybe the new "Divorce, American style."

Carolina

(6,960 posts)
112. Flame me
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 06:54 AM
Apr 2013

but this is just stupid: spend an evening drinking VODKA & lemonade, then decide to engage in some firearm lessons in the wee hours of the morning?! Sheesh, it's really hard for me to feel sympathy because of the sheer stupidity of this.

Lesson one: ETOH & GUNS don't mix!
Lesson two: never point the weapon at a person (unless you mean to do harm)

Response to warrior1 (Original post)

EOTE

(13,409 posts)
128. Christ, how cruel.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:13 AM
Apr 2013

I am one of the staunchest proponents of gun control you'll find. The biggest reason I support increased regulation of guns is to hopefully prevent senseless tragedies like this one. Both of their behaviors might have been really dumb, alcohol doesn't mix will with just about anything, particularly guns. But that doesn't mean that this man's death is any less tragic. There are truly evil people in this world, revel in their deaths all you want.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
131. I imagine they will allow your sentiment all the attention it indeed warrants...
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 09:19 AM
Apr 2013

I imagine they will allow your sentiment all the attention it indeed warrants...

Ganja Ninja

(15,953 posts)
144. What better time to give a gun lesson than when both people are half in the bag?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:27 AM
Apr 2013
Lesson #1. When the booze comes out the guns get put away.

rurallib

(62,346 posts)
146. let me remember - oh yeah - gun in the house
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:51 AM
Apr 2013

most likely to shoot spouse or family.
Stats right again

yellowcanine

(35,692 posts)
147. Gun "lesson" at 3:30 am after night of drinking vodka?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 10:52 AM
Apr 2013

Yeah right. There are absolutely no holes in that story.

AndyA

(16,993 posts)
152. Responsible gun owners don't drink first then go play with their guns
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:17 AM
Apr 2013

This was certainly a tragedy, but if the guy hadn't had guns in the first place, he'd probably still be alive today.

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
164. “When she let go of the slide, the weapon went off”
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:26 PM
Apr 2013

Um...bullshit.

Barring an astronomically unlikely chain of bizarre mechanical failures, that pistol "went off" because the drunken idiot wife pulled the trigger. Inadvertently, I suspect, because of a combination of inebriation and poor trigger discipline (finger stays OUT of the trigger guard until you are prepared to shoot...without exception), but her doing, nonetheless.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
167. Since the guy died, wouldn't
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:33 PM
Apr 2013

LE have to take a look at the gun? They should be able to tell if the thing malfunctioned, I would think.
If there is nothing wrong with the gun, wouldn't drunk wifey be up for charges?

 

Lizzie Poppet

(10,164 posts)
168. I'd assume so.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:43 PM
Apr 2013

I'd expect a complete examination of the firearm to be carried out by a competent gunsmith (Parkside's apparently real small, so their PD might not have a dedicated armorer). If that examination rules out a mechanical failure, I would be surprised if she's not charged...with negligent homicide, anyway.

JHB

(37,132 posts)
171. I suspect also poor "don't point the gun at someone" discipline
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 10:26 AM
Apr 2013

I recall some strong lessons about always always ALWAYS know where the barrel is pointed, and make sure it is not pointing at someone.

I'm sure 3am booziness in a basement didn't exactly help keep their attentions focused where they should have been.

sellitman

(11,596 posts)
177. My schedule at 3 AM is different
Thu May 2, 2013, 07:40 AM
May 2013

If my wife did drink and made it up past 3 am with me I suspect I wouldn't be playing with fake pistols. ~

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