Gun Safety Instructor Accidentally Shoots Student During Demonstraton

Guns, gun Safety

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An Ohio gun safety instructor accidentally shot a student during a group lesson on Saturday in Lancaster, reports The Plain Dealer.

Terry J. Dunlap Sr., 73, was reportedly showing students how to fire a handgun when a .38 caliber bullet fired from the gun, bounced off a desk and struck Michael Piemonte, 26, in the arm between the elbow and the armpit.

“My wife was sitting just inches away from me,” Piemonte said. “It could have easily hit her.”

Piemonte said several nurses were among the 29 students in the class and helped him stabilize the wound before being taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus by medics. He was released later that night.

The student said Dunlap didn’t know the gun had a bullet in its chamber and is just grateful that it did not seriously hurt anyone. He is not filing any charges.

“I am thankful that it only ended up being in my arm, and didn’t hit my wife or individuals sitting at the desk behind me,” he said.

Piemonte, who is studying for his teaching degree at Ohio State University’s Newark campus, said that he and his wife decided to apply for concealed-carry permit for their own general safety.