Gun Appreciation Day Sees Accidental Shootings

Five people were shot and injured at three different gun shows across the country -- including one in Medina -- on Saturday.

The Huffington Post reported earlier this week that a handful of conservative groups declared Jan. 19 Gun Appreciation Day. It was also a day that many communities hosted gun shows where hunters, gun collectors and enthusiasts gather to buy and sell guns.

The Medina Gun Show has been an annual event since 1978, according to its website. Organizer Conrad & Dowell puts on gun shows at the Medina County Community Center throughout the year. 

At Saturday's show, a vendor bought a handgun and knew it was loaded, according to The Plain Dealer. The vendor aimed the gun away from people while trying to unload it and accidentally fired the gun at the concrete floor. The bullet ricocheted off the floor and hit the vendor's arm and leg, according to NewsNet5. 

Saturday's accidental shooting was the first in 35 years, according to the Plain Dealer.

Show rules aimed at preventing accidents appear on the show's website:  

"For everyone’s safety, no loaded firearms are allowed in the building. All firearms brought into the building are checked to confirm they are not loaded and then “tied”. All firearms on exhibitor’s tables are restrained in some way. Guns are restrained by being in a glass case, by rope or wire tied. All State and Federal firearms laws are vigorously enforced. You must be 18 years old to purchase a long gun and 21 years old to purchase a handgun."

But somehow somebody handled a loaded weapon and somebody got hurt. 

Do you think guns shows are safe? Could they be safer? How?