A 70-year-old man fired a gun in the office of Dr. Mark Kellar, DDS in New Carlisle Wednesday, striking himself in the hand during a dental procedure. The man was under anesthesia and thought he heard his cell phone ringing, but mistakenly grabbed his gun and fired, according to a report from the New Carlisle News.
The incident has ignited a debate about whether cell phone usage should be allowed in places of business in town.
There are no signs prohibiting cell phone use or carrying of firearms outside the office of Dr. Kellar, located on Church Street in New Carlisle. The man involved in the incident, Jim Short, had his gun holstered when entering the dentist’s office, but not much is known at this time about his cell phone usage. Short is a licensed CCW holder.
Since a cell phone and pistol can easily be mixed up, some New Carlisle residents are saying it would be best to ban the use – and possibly even the possession – of cell phones inside local businesses.
Photo credit: www.whio.com
“Carrying a gun into the dentist’s office is stupid. There is no purpose for it,” said Kyle Wilkinson, 26, from New Carlisle.
Sheila Warner thinks the gun is the problem, saying “This is a gun issue because guns are deadly and a cell phone can’t shoot you.”
However, some have argued that the issue in this incident is the carrying of a cell phone, not a gun.
“I can’t see any purpose for having your cell phone inside the dentist’s office,” said Norma Blanchard, also of New Carlisle. “When you’re in that chair with someone’s fingers in your mouth it’s not like you can talk or text anyways. Just keep it in the car and use it when you get outside.”
“This is a cell phone issue, not a gun issue,” said Brooke Singer.
The cell phone argument has been gaining steam recently. With huge campaigns and laws against texting and driving, the dangerous new mobile phone game Pokemon Go, and harmful radiation from cell phone use, cell phones are some of the most deadly devices in existence. In 2009, a man even died when his cell phone exploded and severed an artery in his neck. It is clear that cell phones kill people. This cannot be disputed.
Another thing that cannot be disputed is the fact that the right to carry guns into the dentist’s office is something that must be protected. Men fought and died for our right to carry guns, and it’s in the Constitution (maybe you’ve heard of it, although under the current administration maybe you haven’t). Last I checked there was no amendment granting our fundamental right to carry cell phones.
Cell phones are worthless and dangerous. But this bad boy? Where do I order?
With the way things are going, it won’t be long until someone tries to answer their phone in the grocery store and accidentally shoots someone in the dairy aisle. If the lawmakers ever get their heads out of their rear ends and make it legal to carry on school grounds, someone might accidentally shoot a child while their cell phone vibrates and beeps in their pocket. Do you really want the blood of children on your hands because you couldn’t just leave your phone in the car?
Let’s hear your opinions. Do you think guns are the problem? Should more businesses ban guns on their property? Do you think professionals, such as dentists and hygienists, should carry guns for protection?
Or should cell phones be banned? Does knowing the dangers of cell phones make you want to get your CCW permit for protection from cell phones?
Sound off in the comments and let your voices be heard.
Even though guns settled the Wild West, many towns forced the parking of guns when people entered them. Someone recently wrote “If more guns made us safer then the U.S. would be the safest place on earth” — which, of course, it ain’t. Australia figured it out; are we too stupid to follow another country’s lead? Guess so. I agree with Sheila who said she”…. thinks the gun is the problem, saying “This is a gun issue because guns are deadly and a cell phone can’t shoot you.”
Actually if you take the cities that have the strictest gun laws (ex Chicago) we ARE the safest country. When we have people with guns, crime goes down.
First thing I want to say is that I am an AVID 2nd amendment supporter. Just so you’re clear, not owning a gun in my opinion is friggin stupid.
That being said, this guy is an idiot. I don’t blame him for wanting to carry his gun, heck I applaud him for it. But you have to do it responsibly. He should have asked the doc to put it in a drawer until the procedure was over and the drugs were wore off. Anytime you will be under the influence of anything your gun should not be on you.
Also, you’re in a doctor’s office, turn the damn phone off. You can’t talk with hands in your mouth anyway, besides the fact that it should be done out of respect to the professional that you are paying to see.
The way I see it, instead of trying to ban an object, we ban stupid people. I mean come folks, we have smart phones, smart tv’s and smart cars…….. we need a lot more smart people
The issue is not the gun or the cell phone but the idiot who had them! Really? Shouldn’t the issue focus on the stupidity of the man to reach for either item while in the dentist chair. You can legislate all you want but you cannot fix stupid. How did such as he even get a gun permit in the first place? What was so gosh dang important that he just had to answer the phone right then?
Carrying guns is one of the ten commandments of the constitution of america! Ive heard of these tooth doctors raping people when they got you under the sleeping gas and id my money that is what this guy was a scared of!!! Id rather get my finger shot than have a tooth doctor getting there jolly off on me!!!
He shoulda put his gun on safety or stun before he walked in but I bet that doc won’t be trying no funny business on him again or maybe the doc will get the bullet next time and then he’ll learn that you dont just go touching people when there on the sleep gas. This is what makes america better than the australias the tooth docs in austria probly just do they thing and dont have to worry about nothing but a dang dingo and a baby!!!