Gun Handling - Mouth Handling

Great. This one happened nearby. The news report probably is over reacting, and the guy unfortunately isn't helping himself.

Charles Masterson was always taught that it's safest to point a gun at the sky when it's not being used, so that's what he did when he stepped into a bathroom stall at the local Wal-Mart to relieve himself, he told police.

The precaution backfired when the gun went off and struck a ceiling tile, scaring the pants back on Wal-Mart employee, who came running out of the next stall. For placing that teenager in serious danger, police are holding Masterson criminally responsible.

Masterson, 36, of 23 Brook St., No. 3 in Nashua, was jailed overnight after the gun discharged, but released on personal recognizance Wednesday after an arraignment in Nashua District Court. Charged with felony reckless conduct, Masterson is accused of discharging the weapon in the bathroom of the Hudson Wal-Mart around 9 p.m. Tuesday. His 13-year-old son was also in the bathroom at the time, police said.

In an interview with police later that night, Masterson said he had been carrying the Glock 9mm pistol in his waistband. When asked why he felt the need to carry a concealed handgun at Wal-Mart, Masterson replied: "Well, I have the right to bear arms, you know."

Grand. Love it when people ask why they felt they "needed" to carry. Unfortunately he answered they then for some reason thought that this was something that the police should be releasing to the press. I suppose that is further proof that the police aren't neccessarily the sharpest intelligence out their either.

I've got a feeling he's about to lose his right to bear arms. Though I wonder if the court and the police aren't over-reacting just a little.

At the Wednesday hearing, Masterson asked Judge Thomas Rappa Jr. to reduce his $5,000 cash or surety bail, maintaining that he is not a flight risk and he cannot afford it while paying child support.

Rappa agreed to change Masterson'’s bail to $25,000 personal recognizance, which means he pays nothing as long as he stays out of trouble. "I'm talking not even a stop sign violation," Rappa said.

Sgt. Donna Briggs, the Hudson prosecutor, requested that Masterson's apartment be searched as a condition of his bail. Masterson agreed to the search, which was to be conducted by Nashua police immediately after his release.

What exactly is the reason for the search? And why the stop sign comment? I Wonder if Drunk Driving plaintiffs get the same warning.

The gun obviously didn't just go off. And the responsibility for concealed carry obviously requires extra caution which appears not to have been taken.

Makes me think that I should look at my holster choices. I'm wondering if he had used a clip style holster would this have been more easily avoided.