Grunter
07-27-2005, 11:23 AM
BY MARK GUNDERMANmgunderman@chippewa.com (mgunderman@chippewa.com)It looks so easy in the movies: The gunfighter cocks the hammer of his six-shooter as he smoothly draws it from its leather holster, points it at his target and pulls the trigger.
It takes a split-second on the TV or movie screen, and the hero almost always hits his mark.
Reality doesn't always work that way -- just ask firearms instructor and gun collector Martin Brill.
Brill, 55, 17547 53rd Ave., Chippewa Falls, was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital Sunday for an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his thigh suffered while practicing his "quick draw" technique.
It turns out he needed a little bit more practice with one particular firearm.
According the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department report:
Brill was practicing on a private range in the town of Tilden, owned by former town chairman Jeff Bowe. He was using a .22-caliber revolver made in Germany.
Brill told an investigator that the firearm has three hammer positions, with the third being the locked position. He said he obviously did not lock the hammer fully, which allowed it to spring forward, activate the firing pin and discharge the firearm.
The gun was still pointed down, and the bullet went through the bottom of the holster into his thigh, lodging just above the knee cap.
He said he had been practicing several times in the past, but had just recently bought this pistol and only used it about three times.
Brill, who said he has been a firearms instructor for 10 years and is an avid gun collector, lay down after shooting himself. After about 30 minutes he was able to stand and drive himself to the hospital. He also managed to clean up the target practice area before he left.
The incident, which occurred about 10 a.m. Sunday, was officially ruled an injury due to accidental discharge of a firearm.
It takes a split-second on the TV or movie screen, and the hero almost always hits his mark.
Reality doesn't always work that way -- just ask firearms instructor and gun collector Martin Brill.
Brill, 55, 17547 53rd Ave., Chippewa Falls, was treated at St. Joseph's Hospital Sunday for an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to his thigh suffered while practicing his "quick draw" technique.
It turns out he needed a little bit more practice with one particular firearm.
According the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department report:
Brill was practicing on a private range in the town of Tilden, owned by former town chairman Jeff Bowe. He was using a .22-caliber revolver made in Germany.
Brill told an investigator that the firearm has three hammer positions, with the third being the locked position. He said he obviously did not lock the hammer fully, which allowed it to spring forward, activate the firing pin and discharge the firearm.
The gun was still pointed down, and the bullet went through the bottom of the holster into his thigh, lodging just above the knee cap.
He said he had been practicing several times in the past, but had just recently bought this pistol and only used it about three times.
Brill, who said he has been a firearms instructor for 10 years and is an avid gun collector, lay down after shooting himself. After about 30 minutes he was able to stand and drive himself to the hospital. He also managed to clean up the target practice area before he left.
The incident, which occurred about 10 a.m. Sunday, was officially ruled an injury due to accidental discharge of a firearm.