Gun Discharged At Bass Pro Shop

Owner Ticketed For Recklessness

BOSSIER CITY -- A customer pulled the trigger on a loaded hunting rifle he brought to Bass Pro Shops in Bossier City Tuesday afternoon, sending a bullet into the floor but not injuring anyone.

The shot was loud but the bullet shattered when it hit the concrete floor and there was no property damage, police said.

The owner of the gun was ticketed for reckless conduct, a misdemeanor. The rifle was seized by police.

"He should have taken more precautions about making sure the gun was unloaded before pulling the trigger," Police Department spokesman Mark Natale said.

 Natale said the customer, 48-year-old Mike Taylor of Henderson, Texas, had brought the 7mm Magnum hunting rifle to the store to get a scope. It turned out to have three rounds in it.

 The gun was taken to the counter where guns are routinely checked before they are brought into the store. The clerk checked the rifle and noticed nothing in the chamber but had trouble putting the bolt back in, Natale said.

 The customer took the gun back and pushed the bolt in, Natale said. That action put a bullet in the chamber.

 The customer pointed the gun toward the floor and pulled the trigger to make sure it was safe, Natale said. It fired one round.

  Natale said Bass Pro sometimes handles hundreds of guns a day around hunting season and this was the first incident where a gun was discharged in the store.

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