ATLANTA - An antique .38-caliber pistol accidentally discharged and hit a glass door as it was being handled by U.S. Rep. Bob Barr and the host of a Barr reception in north Fulton County, according to Barr's campaign and the host.
Georgia lobbyist Bruce Widener said Tuesday that he had removed the magazine from the 1908 Colt but did not clear the chamber before handing the weapon to Barr, a board member of the National Rifle Association.
Widener told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that ``one of us hit the trigger'' just as he gave Barr the gun during Friday's reception, but said he is not sure who.
``Nobody was in any danger. We were handling it safely, except that it was loaded,'' Widener said. ``I am thankful Bob was careful to always keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction.''
Through a spokesman, Barr said: ``It's very fortunate no one was hurt. ... but this accident only underscores the importance of proven gun safety measures, especially when owning and handling antique firearms.''
Widener said it was improper to store a loaded weapon in a gun cabinet.
Barr is locked in a tight Republican primary with fellow incumbent John Linder in the 7th Congressional District, and Barr has tied his NRA endorsement closely to his campaign. NRA President Charlton Heston has cut a TV commercial for Barr, and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre will attend a fund-raiser Saturday.
Of the gun accident, Linder said: ``The first time you hear this, it's funny. But it's not funny. The guy's a loose cannon. I've been around guns a lot. I just don't pick up other people's guns."
Sunday
April 27th, 2025
12:11PM
