This is a horrible tragedy by any count. It simply reaffirms what most of use who own and use firearms on a regular basis stress. Always check the action of any gun and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction at all times.

Ontario Honker-
You say cite an experience, here is a personal one. Several years ago, I found a Model 42 Winchester on the rack of a local gun dealer. I asked the sales lady if I might examine it, and she handed it to me without racking the slide. Out of habit, I released the slide and checked the chamber. I was glad I did, for I found a live .30-'06 round chambered in a .410 shotgun. The lady was disturbed, as she had recently shown that weapon to some individual who had examined it for some time, then handed it back to her and abruptly left, with no talk of price or sales negotiation.
Ex. 2- I was in the parking lot of a convention center with another gentleman who wished to examine an item that I had in my truck. (A Puma White Hunter.) While we were conversing about the knife, we heard a curious conversation near an adjacent vehicle between two people who seemed to be plotting to smuggle some loose live rounds into the convention center and show. We strolled up to the entrance and informed one of the sheriff's deputies at the door what had been overheard. When we pointed out the individuals standing in line to the deputy, he moved outside and questioned them, whereupon, they got out of line and left the gun show.
So, indeed, "such things" do happen. Fanatics come in all shapes and configurations.

when I stop and think about it how many times do people at gunshows "assume" the gun is unloaded. A gunshow is many times the place where basic rules of firearms safety go by the wayside because "they are not allowed to be loaded" Unfortunately this is not the frst time and will not ne the last time...Prayers for the family of the shooter and injured party.

Tragic. Made more tragic from the fact it was caused by being careless. Had the table proprietor checked the weapon before handing it to a customer, it would not have happened. Had the person cleared the weapon prior to pulling the trigger, it need not have happened.
If this was a deliberate act by some anti-gun person, slipping a live round into a weapon to create an incident, it was reprehensible, but such things do happen.
I fear that this will, indeed, create another round of anti-gun show propaganda from those who would condemn an inanimate object for the shortcomings of careless or malicious humankind.

I'm Always been taught that threat weapon/rifle loaded at all times and check it for ammo, just in case it is loaded!!!My prayers are with the family and hopefully this individual recover from injury fast!!!

jamesti,

I haven't seen buckhunterjr yet but my kids are known to get on here.

I can believe there are idiots who might fiddle around and put ammo in a display gun. But to simply lump them as antis is jumping the gun. That was my point. MLH is taking the high road. It will be interesting to see how this pans out. The news article I read said that security personell made sure that all the guns were non-operable when brought in. Frankly, I find that pretty hard to believe. What kind of a gun show would that be? Any vendor worth his salt would ALWAYS check the gun before handing it to a customer. I always did.

It was an accident. I have never heard of anti-gun nuts picking up a gun and shooting someone to make a point. Crm, if "such things" do happen, please provide a citation. That's the kind of crap the right to life fanatics would do, not the anti-gun idiots. The pro-gun lobby does itself only harm by casting these kinds of unfounded dispersions. It's no way to maintain credibility.