reasonablenut

Local story that the press loves. This idiot is something else. Via the Albuquerque Journal (link is subscription only so here's the whole thing):

Joseph Marquez told police the gun that killed his best friend "just went off." "There shouldn't have been a round in the chamber," Marquez told the officers who found Jacob Benavidez's body inside a Northeast Albuquerque apartment Monday, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Marquez, 19, is accused of involuntary manslaughter, the complaint states. He was jailed at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a $140,000 bond. Marquez told police he had been smoking marijuana and drinking beer prior to the shooting at his cousin's apartment, the complaint shows. Benavidez, 18, died of a gunshot wound to the head shortly before 9 p.m. at 12200 Montgomery NE, the complaint states. According to the complaint, the incident unfolded as follows: About 4:30 p.m., Marquez, who was with his girlfriend, bought a Taurus 9mm handgun and went to the Montgomery apartment. While there, Marquez disassembled the gun then put it back together, sliding the clip in place. He said he never "chambered a round." Benavidez and a friend arrived at the apartment shortly before 9 p.m. and knocked on the door. Marquez reached for the gun with his right hand and opened the door with his left. He pointed the gun toward Benavidez, and it went off. Marquez told police he had owned guns before and was familiar with their operation. He said he was clueless as to how a bullet got in the chamber. APD Homicide Sgt. Carlos Argueta said automatic weapons such as Marquez's Taurus and, for example, a Colt, have different features. "This kid had been drinking and smoking pot," Argueta said. "Maybe his judgment was impaired to the point where he mistakenly said, 'I'm positive this gun didn't have a bullet in it.' "But the basic rule of firearms is that you treat all of them as if they're loaded." Police are investigating to make sure all the evidence points to an accidental shooting, he said. Should the autopsy, forensic or crime-scene evidence conflict with witness statements, police could file additional charges, Argueta said. "We don't want to overlook something," he said. "But as of now, there is nothing to indicate foul play.

This moron defies imagination. He's high and drunk.

I think Du Toit has a good point about people not owning guns here:

http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/weblog.php?id=P4530

Same case Goldberg makes for voting:

http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200409290833.asp

UPDATE: A friend has pointed out that there is some disconnect between the title of this post and its substance. The fact that the reporter brings up that the dipshit claims to be familiar with guns and their operation is ridiculous. They quote him twice about there not being a round in the chamber. This ninny broke every fucking safety rule out there. Primarily, don't point a firearm at yourself or any target you do not intend to fire upon. Positively ID your background. And it's kind of rude to shoot your best friend in the head for no reason.

And, yes; certain people should not be allowed to own firearms. Some people should not be allowed to vote.